Functionalist And Marxist Perspective On Religion Essay

Also known as the social conflict approach, critique of capitalism. According to Marx, in a capitalist society, devotion plays a critical image in upholding an odds-on society, in which trustworthy groups of pack have more resources and power than other groups of people. For Marx, Ideology is a belief system that changes peoples perception of authenticity in ways that serves the interest of the ruling class. He argues that the class that statement economic production also controls the production and distribution of ideas in society, through institutions such as churches, development system etc. In Marxs view religion operates as an ideological weapon apply by the ruling class to justify the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and God-given.The Marxist perspective, extend that religion operate as a drug to dull the pain of exploitation, because religion is a perverted view of the world, it can offer no solution to earthly misery. Instead, it promises rewards in t he afterlife that creates an illusion of felicitousness which distracts attention from the true source of suffering, namely capitalism. Marx argued that the ruling class used religion as a tool to keep the less powerful proletariat pacified.He argued that religion was able to do this by promising rewards in the afterlife, instead of in this life. Marx was calling for the proletariat todiscard religion and its deceit al intimately other worldly events, only then would this class of people be able to rise up against the ruling class and gain control of the means of production and only then would they achieve real rewards. Here we can see the social-conflict approach to religious highlights how religion, as a phenomenon of human behaviour functions to halt social inequality by providing a worldview that justifies oppression. Because Marx was committed to criticizing the prevailing organization of society during his time, he took a particular stance towards religion. He believed that this was a tool of social control used to maintain an unequal society and that it should be abolished.Functionalist perspective on religion (Emile Durkheim)Durkheim outline that all religion share lead elements1. Beliefs are held by a follower.2. Practices and Rituals.3. Moral community.The functionalist perspective states that religion is universal, there are functions that it fulfils for society. It satisfies individual demand and religion give people a sense of identity. These functions are1. It provide social unity to serve up maintain social solidarity through shared rituals and believes. 2. Social control to enforce religious-based morals and norms to help maintain conformity and control in society. 3. Religion offers meaning and purpose to answer question of existence. Durkheim argued that religion acted as a source of solidarity and identification for the individuals within a society. Religion provided a meaning for life, it provided authority figures, and most importantly for Durkheim, it reinforced the morals and social norms held collectively by all within a society. Functionalist byword it as a critical part of the social system, as it provides social control, cohesion, and purpose for people, as hygienic as another means of communication and gathering for individuals to interact and reaffirm social norms. Secondly, Functionalist approach identifies real elements of religious beliefs that are common across different cultures.A belief in a spiritual realm is not necessary or common among religions, but the separation of different aspects of life, physical things, and certain(prenominal)behaviors into two categories 1. Sacred Objects and behaviors that are considered part of the spiritual or religious world. Knowable through preposterous experiences. 2. Profane Everything else in the world that do not have a religious function or hold religious meaning. Knowable through normal empirical observation. Functionalists believe that religion is a n agency of socialization, and the role of socialization religion plays is that of cultural learning.It believes that society represents an external markation as norms and values regulate and limit our behaviour. Both Marxism and Functionalism theories take the macro world view and that elements of human culture must be mute in terms of their relationship to a larger structure. It studies the frameworks of society and how society shaped our behaviour. Marxs speculation of religion needs to be seen in the context of his general view of society, capitalism dominates the working class. Whereas functionalism sees religion as a unifying force and a feature all societies. Marxism sees religion as a feature only of class divided society.