2) Problems with defining religion in modern society?
There are two main ways in which religion is defined in modern society. Substantive definitions define a religious belief system as involving relations between the "natural" and the "supernatural" ideas therefore religion is defined in terms of structure and content of people's beliefs not what religion does for them. The other way is functional definitions this defines religion in terms of the function it performs for society. This is what Marx called "the opium of the masses" and a form of social cement, this means tv or football matches could be considered religious etc.
3) Critically examine sociological contributions to an understanding of the relationship between religion and social change in society.
Sociologists have different perspectives on the relationship between religion and social change in society. Functionalists believe religion is a conservative force because they believe religion promotes a stable society, with no disruptions.
Functionalists such as Durkheim would argue that religion promotes social solidarity and is a positive thing to keeping society stable. They see religion to encourage social integration.
The Marxist perspective on religion is that religion represents a means of ideologically justifying the social world. From this perspective, religion is a means of social control and, therefore, a conservative force, which only benefits the ruling class. Marx states that religion is an ideological framework that can be adapted to the requirements of various powerful classes in society. Marx argues that religion is only concerned with the exercising of power. Marx sees religion to create belief systems, which are socially, organised to favour the ruling class. Marx states "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of a heartless world and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people”. Marxists see that religion gives the working class a feeling of relief from the oppression in society where as the ruling class have the unequal distribution of wealth and income in society but religion would describe that everyone has their place in society has ‘God’ would want them to.
Marx describes how the Catholic Church is extremely powerful in society and states that in society the Catholic Church have most power over the economic and political well bring of society. Marx describes the Protestant religion to see that very person in society has their place due to what god put them on the earth from and do not drive for wealth etc.
