Outline and asses the main sociological perspectives on the role of religion in society.

Amy Bland

Sociology

Applying perspectives to Religion

Outline and asses the main sociological perspectives on the role of religion in society (40 marks)

In every society, there is some sort of religious beliefs so therefore sociologists are interested in the role it plays in society. There are three main sociological perspectives which include a Functionalist, Marxist or Interactionist approach. These approaches are all very different in the way they view the role of religion.

A Functionalist believes that religion is an important element which helps society to function and provide guidelines for human behaviour. For example religion reinforces the shared values and creates a “collective conscience” and value consensus. Religion has become part of the law in the way that its written text influences the social order of society and suggests the acceptable and unacceptable ways of living. These rules enable society to bind and agree on laws, however, this can be criticised as religion has caused many of the world’s conflicts. Functionalists believe that religion promotes social solidarity and encourages the dependence on social groups such as the family where people view their values as sacred to that religion. However the functionalist approach can be seen as unfounded; it seems difficult to assume that religion socialises people when so little people attend church regularly.

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Whereas a Functionalist sees religion as having a positive role in society, a Marxists interprets the worship of religion as a form of social control from the dominating ruling class. To a Marxist religion is simply an illusion which blinds society from the ideology of the capitalists and helps dull the pain caused by the exploitation of people. Karl Marx once said that religion is the “opium of the people”. Opium provides only temporary relief for suffering and does not address the actual cause, much like with religion. However the same criticism applies for Marxists as with so very few people attending church and figures dropping, this applies to a small proportion of society. According to Marxists the social order that the functionalists discuss, only benefits the ruling class by justifying their authority by suggesting that if you work hard you will go to heaven and if you do not then poverty is the punishment for you sin. Marxists are not suggesting that religion is corrupt they simply believe that religion has been abused by the capitalists and has been used to create this ideology that the capitalists need in order to make profit from society. The form it takes is determined by those in control. Religion gives people hope which discourages them from overthrowing the system and questioning the ruling class’s legitimacy. Those that question religion, question the world. However many churches act as refuges for immigration groups and oppose the ruling classes.

An interactionist takes a completely different approach to explaining the role of religion in society. Instead of generalising the interactionists prefer to look at it from a micro approach where individuals are taken into account. They believe that the public is active in the way that they can choose whether to accept religion or to simply reject it. The people also have the power to influence religion and know how to use it to justify their own actions. Weber looked at how business and modernisation is directly liked to religion. He suggested that religion has played a radical force for example industrialisation and the move from Catholic to Protestantism. This move was brought about by society wanting to change their lives by modernisation but felt this would only be justified by Protestantism as this religion was more accepting of change. People felt they needed to justify their actions in accordance with religion therefore this shows how not just capitalists but society has manipulated religion to suit their lives. Individuals with the power of religion also have the power to influence and guide people which in turn causes significant social change.

In conclusion all three approaches, although very different, are all credible. I agree with the Marxists that religion is used to give people hope, however I believe that it is a bit extreme to believe that capitalism brainwashes society into one set of beliefs. Instead I agree with the interactionists that people exercise their right to chose whether to accept religion. I also a agree with functionalists that religion does has a positive affect on peoples lives, however I do not believe that it has an impact on society to the extent portrayed.