Describe the functionalist perspective on religion, and discuss its major functions in societies

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Sociologist Emile Durkheim was one of the first to emphasize that religion is essential

to the maintenance of society. He suggested that religion is a cultural universal found in

all societies because it meets basic human needs and serves important societal

functions. According to Durkheim, all religions share three elements: (1) beliefs held by

adherents, (2) practices (rituals) engaged in collectively by believers, and (3) a moral

community based on the group's shared beliefs and practices pertaining to the sacred.

For Durkheim, the central feature of all religions is the presence of sacred beliefs and

rituals that bind people together in a collectivity. Religious beliefs and rituals are

collective representations—group-held meanings that express something important

about the group itself. From a functionalist perspective, religion has three important

functions in any society. (1) Religion offers meaning for the human experience. Some

events create a profound sense of loss on both an individual basis (such as the death of

a loved one) and a group basis (such as famine). Inequality may cause people to

wonder why their own situation is no better than it is. Most religions offer explanations

for these concerns. (2) By emphasizing shared symbolism, religious teachings and

practices help promote social cohesion. An example is the Christian ritual of

communion, which not only commemorates a historical event but also allows followers

to participate in the unity of themselves with other believers. Religion has played an

important part in helping members of subordinate groups develop a sense of social

cohesion and belonging even when they are the objects of prejudice and discrimination

by dominant group members. Religion has also been important to those who voluntarily

migrated to the United States. (3) All societies attempt to maintain social control

through systems of rewards and punishments. Sacred symbols and beliefs establish

powerful, pervasive, long-lasting motivations based on the concept of a general order of

existence. Religion also helps maintain social control in society by conferring

supernatural legitimacy on the norms and laws of a society. In the United States, the

separation of church and state reduces religious legitimation of political power.