BELIEFS
Definitions of Religion
● Substantive: must believe in supernatural/ god
● Functional: defined by the function it performs
● Constructionist: interpretivist definition– no set definition
Ideology as a Belief System
● Marxism– false class consciousness
● Ruling class ideology
● Neo-marxism– hegemony and dual consciousness
● Mannheim– free floating intelligentsia using utopian thought
● Functionalists see nationalism as a secular religion
● Feminists see science and religion as tools of patriarchy
Is Science a Belief System?
● Popper– science is an open, falsifiable belief system
● Merton– CUDOS norms
● Azande belief in witchcraft shows religion is a closed belief system
● Science is a closed system– velikovsky
● Kuhn– science is a closed system operating within paradigms
Functionalism
● Durkheim– sacred and profane. When people worship things they are
worshipping society. totemism/ commodity fetishism. Strengthens
collective conscience
● Malinowski– psychological function of religion. When outcome is
important but uncertain and at times of crisis
● Parsons– religion legitimises central beliefs and values. USA and
protestantism
● Bellah– civil religion. Being american requires religion
Definitions of Religion
● Substantive: must believe in supernatural/ god
● Functional: defined by the function it performs
● Constructionist: interpretivist definition– no set definition
Ideology as a Belief System
● Marxism– false class consciousness
● Ruling class ideology
● Neo-marxism– hegemony and dual consciousness
● Mannheim– free floating intelligentsia using utopian thought
● Functionalists see nationalism as a secular religion
● Feminists see science and religion as tools of patriarchy
Is Science a Belief System?
● Popper– science is an open, falsifiable belief system
● Merton– CUDOS norms
● Azande belief in witchcraft shows religion is a closed belief system
● Science is a closed system– velikovsky
● Kuhn– science is a closed system operating within paradigms
Functionalism
● Durkheim– sacred and profane. When people worship things they are
worshipping society. totemism/ commodity fetishism. Strengthens
collective conscience
● Malinowski– psychological function of religion. When outcome is
important but uncertain and at times of crisis
● Parsons– religion legitimises central beliefs and values. USA and
protestantism
● Bellah– civil religion. Being american requires religion
