Functionalist And Marxist Perspective On Religion Essay

Also cognize as the social conflict glide slope, unfavor adequate judgment of capitalism. According to Marx, in a capitalist rescript, holiness plays a critical procedure in maintaining an unequal society, in which definite(prenominal) groups of people take up more resources and originator than other groups of people. For Marx, Ideology is a legal opinion system that changes peoples sensing of authoritativeity in ways that serves the occupy of the ruling family. He argues that the ground level that get a line economic mathematical product also curbs the merchandise and distri unlession of ideas in society, through with(predicate) institutions such as churches, education system and so on In Marxs view holiness hold ins as an ideological weapon apply by the ruling class to reassert the suffering of the poor as something infallible and God- begetn.The Marxist perspective, persist that religion operate as a drug to dawdling the pain of exploitation, becaus e religion is a distorted view of the creation, it can offer no solution to earthly misery. Instead, it promises rewards in the future that creates an illusion of happiness which distracts attention from the full-strength source of suffering, namely capitalism. Marx argued that the ruling class use religion as a tool to keep the less the right way proletariat pacified.He argued that religion was equal to(p) to do this by promising rewards in the afterlife, instead of in this life. Marx was calling for the proletariat to discard religion and its deceit close to other worldly events, only and so 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 compassionate behaviour functions to maintain social variation by providing a worldview that justifies oppression. Bec ause Marx was committed to criticizing the frequent organization of society during his time, he took a offendicular 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 line that all religion sh ar deuce-ace elements1. Beliefs argon held by a follower.2. Practices and Rituals.3. deterrent example community.The functionalist perspective states that religion is universal, there are functions that it fulfils for society. It satisfies individual needs and religion give people a sense of identity. These functions are1. It provide social unity to divine service maintain social solidarity through dual-lane rituals and believes. 2. Social control to enforce religious-based morals and norms to help maintain conformity and control in society. 3. Religion offers marrow and shoot for to answer question of existence. Durkheim argued t hat religion acted as a source of solidarity and identification for the individuals inwardly a society. Religion provided a meaning for life, it provided authority figures, and most importantly for Durkheim, it reinforce the morals and social norms held collectively by all within a society. Functionalist see it as a critical naval division of the social system, as it provides social control, cohesion, and finding for people, as well as other means of communication and gathering for individuals to act and reaffirm social norms. Secondly, Functionalist approach identifies authentic elements of religious beliefs that are common crosswise different cultures.A belief in a supernatural realm is not necessary or common among religions, but the separation of different aspects of life, physical things, and certain behaviors into two categories 1. Sacred Objects and behaviors that are considered part of the spiritual or religious world. knowable through extraordinary 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 an agency of socialization, and the role of socialization religion plays is that of cultural learning.It believes that society represents an external terminus ad quem as norms and values regulate and assign our behaviour. Both Marxism and Functionalism theories take the macro world view and that elements of human culture must be understood in toll of their relationship to a larger structure. It studies the frameworks of society and how society shaped our behaviour. Marxs surmise 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 sport all societies. Marxism sees religion as a feature only of class carve up society.