Assess the Functionalist View That Religion Benefits Both Society as a Whole and Its Individual Members (18 Marks)

Assess the functionalist view that piety benefits both inn as a whole and its individual(a)ist members (18 marks) Functionalists believe that religion is warrant for both society as a whole and its individual members, this is because it unifies society and creates consensus, which in turn gives each individual member a source of support when they need it. merely some theorists disagree with the functionalist ideology. Firstly, functionalist claim religion benefits society in a number of ways, it creates a sense of neighborly solidarity, choose a overlap sense of identity, history, norms and values (a incarnate conscience). This is covert up by item A, religions contribution to value consensus and social integrating. Functionalist explain that if all of a societies members are dissociate of the similar religion then they all share the selfsame(prenominal) feeling system, resulting in consensus between all of its members.

The religious base go out teach its members the norms and values of the society they are in and the collective worship will bear societies members closer to bugger offher, for example, pot in Muslim countries who are piece of music of the faith of Islam, get word it is normal to stop and tap 5 times a day and also that no-one should tempt on Friday however spate in Christian countries deduce the day of rest to be Sunday. Functionalist therefore claim members of a society have a collective conscience, they think in the same way, collectible to their shared norms and values. Functionalists also believe that religion unifies people; the functionalist Emile Durkheim studied an original tribe the Arunta. He explains ! how the collective worship of the sacred totem by the Arunta united society into a single moral community. As their totem is sacred, it inspires feelings of wonder and awe due to the fact it is different to both different normal, profane item. Their totem is a symbol that makes them different to other clans so in resolution it is like they are worshipping a symbol of their...If you want to get a full essay, aver it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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