Assess The Extent To Which Religion Produces Social Change

Different religious theories pull in suggested their own concepts into explaining how religion functions within the society. The relationship between religion and kind sort had been powerfully debated in the past years, as more and more individuals have to a certain extent broken away from the more handed-down values shared in a once join society. Writers on religion tend to fall into one of ii sides, those who see religion as a thotoned-up line, preserving the shape quo and those who see religion as encouraging a force for social change.
A number of structuralist theories argue that religion is a cautious force in society, that is, it produces stability not change within society and it reinforces the shared needs and values of society. For nearly sociologists this is a positive effect - the project of the functionalist theorists, for some is a negative one - the view of the Marxist theorists. However, both pick out the view of religion as a conservative force, conservative meaning that it favours keeping things the way they are and inhibiting change. Restraining change usher out be seen as a force for stability and social order, and is thus reflected in the majority of conservative thinkers.




Emile Durkheim, a functionalist theorist, supports the view that religion is a conservative force in society, reinforcing the quick society of society. He believes that societys religious prefatorial shared beliefs, values, traditions and norms that make the society run smoothly by means of throng worship and celebration serves to create cohesion and group solidarity. In maintaining this social solidarity, religion acts as a conservative force because if or when it fails to perform this function, new ideas may go forth that effectively become the new religion. Durkheim regarded new religions such as nationalism and communism as taking over from Christianity, but still performing the same essential functions. Functionalists are and so saying that religion in its form changes,...If you want to study a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com



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