Comparing Functionalist &

Marxist views on the role of religion

By the end of these activities you should:

• Be able to identify similarities between Functionalist and Marxist theories on the role of religion

• Be able to contrast Marxist and Functionalist theories and identify their key differences

• Be aware of techniques for writing paragraphs for contrasting arguments in sociology

• Be aware of how to build evaluation into your essays through contrasting

• Be able to write effective paragraphs for sociology essays

What would Functionalists and Marxists say about these

images ?

You may have considered the

following..

Religion as compensation

Promoting shared values

Cope with uncertainty

Worship of societySocial control

Promoting ideology

Legitimating authorityAlienation

Cementing society

Functionalism Marxism

Religion meeting emotional needs

Religion transmitting ideas

Religion cementing society together

Religion as a form of social control

Religion legimating authority of powerful

Religion preventing social change

How to write contrasting

paragraphsFocus Functionalist point Marxist pointEmotional role One function of religion is its

emotional and psychological role. Religion can help to reduce people’s anxieties and in doing so reinforce their commitment to society and maintain social order. According to Parsons religion answers the eternal questions of man , such as what happens after death. Malinowski also examines the psychological effects of religion and religious rituals. He notes how religion helps in times of uncertainty and produces emotional stability. He focuses on life crises such as birth and death and how rituals such as funerals provide comfort at these time s and restore stability. This prevents people’s desire for social change and illustrates how religion acts is a conservative force. In this way, religion is beneficial to the individual and to society as a whole.

In contrast, Marxists consider the emotional role of religion, but in a more negative way. Marx described religion as an opiate that dulled the pain of oppression. This benefits the ruling class by helping them to control the subordinate class. One way that religion does this is by promising eternal bliss in life after death. This makes life in earth more bearable. Religion also makes poverty more tolerable by saying that there is a virtue in suffering and that there will be reward and compensation in heaven. This is known as compensation and makes sure that the subordinate class do not challenge their superiors and attempt a revolution. Another example is how religion promises supernatural intervention, as in the Christian belief of a judgement day where God will return to Earth and establish a kingdom here.

Theme Functionalist argument Marxist critique

Religion and socialisation - values

According to Functionalists, religion is a powerful agent of socialisation. It promotes shared values which bond a society together. Durkheim notes how religious values are ‘sacred’ and therefore are followed by members of society. In Christianity, the breaking of certain values will lead to punishment in hell. This is a strong way to control behaviour. Durkheim also notes how believing in shared values, unifies people together and along with collective worship, this renews a sense of belonging and membership.

In contrast, Marxist argue that………

Other critique • Religion divides people• Modern society – secular• Pluralism today• Small scale/primitive

society