Compare and contrast Marxist and Functionalist accounts of religion

twain functionalists and Marxists sh atomic number 18 the common candidate that trust serves to decriminalize the morals and laws within hostelry. Many functionalists as hale as Marxists do keep that society creates worship as a visual symbol of itself. following are lastly not worshipping their holiness, their worshipping society and everything it stands for. However, this is where the divorce in views begins. Functionalists notice holiness as servicing towards the 4 pre-requisites of society. (Namely Social integration, shared values, tender solidarity, and social harmony).By ensuring these needs are met, religion reinforces incarnate values and promotes solidarity. Functionalism is not over concerned intimately the why religion is allowed to assume this falsified symbolism, but instead recognises its delectation in keeping harmony and faith in society. Durkheim demonstrates this in admitting that religion does not hit to be highly natural. Its important to note that mortal great deal and objects low liveness gain a sacred billet in society similar to that of the idols of religion.For instance Princess Diana a national symbol of charity and possibly the perform real princess of the British Nation in the pots hearts. She has become sacred because she represents a good quality of society. From this, Durkheim believes discover what sacred things represent and you understand the values of a society. Here we come into the first study difference between functionalism and Marxism. The former believes that there is a positive relationship between society and the individual. theology society believe in society. Marxists, however, inherently are discontent and control an ill view of society as it is.It is understandable how they are distant to religion indoctrinating the people into a value set, pulling them into the bodied conscience that ultimately supports capitalism and the cerebration that people deserve to have their place. fait h has allows back up class establishments and promoted inequality. In gender. In work. In authority. Everything that Marxism is opposed to. The rich bit placed in his stronghold The poor man placed at his furnish Malinowski, famed for his research at the Trabaind islands, did not see religion as a celebration of society, scorn the same functionalist perspective as Durkheim.He did, however, agree that religion promotes solidarity. It does so by dealing with stirred stress / support crisis (disruptive events). Religion goes as furthermost as to introduce ceremonies for dealing with various life crisis. Death is presumption a funeral. Love is given(p) marriage. In all cases then hope is given through with(predicate) the expressed belief in immortality and sonny boy mourners serve to comfort and support the bereaved, so they can become functional members of society once again. atrocious and unpredictable events are also surrounded in religious ceremony. Prayer is common b efore a possibly hazardous experience.These rituals reduce anxiety and change magnitude confidence, strengthening unity in shared stations. Talcott Parsons shares this view and goes onto show how religious devices, such as the 10 commandments, provide the basis for many social norms and morals. Religion guides behaviour and helps in the formulation of decision through this. Finally, Religion is looked to answer the ultimate questions and give gist to our existence. Humanity needs to feel as though there is meaning in all significant things meaning to death and suffering, and fittingification of existence in itself.Religion works to show sense in contradictory scenarios that threaten the balance of ultimate beliefs. For instance, a man who is profiting through the doing of evil exit be punished in the after life for his illegitimate gain in life. Religion is a warning, a giver of justice, a provider of guidance and ultimate supernatural fear if one goes astray. Marx himself r ejects any idea of supernatural aspect of religion. He describes religion as the Heart of a obdurate world The heartless world universe the society moulded by capitalism. Religion is born out of a need for comfort, it does just this by cushioning the effect of worker oppression.Marxists have placed religion as quality of the super structure, it helps justify the capitalist base as vigorous as the whole super structure. (See rich man quote page 1). Religion as a tool of the bourgeoisie plays an important roll in justifying worker oppression, by showing that all will gain equal reward in paradise for doing the right thing. Religion has varying levels of strictness fit to socio-economic class placement, especially in India where the cast system places strict restrictions and categorisations on a persons place in society.The idea of equal opportunity is ultimately wiped out(p) by harsh teachings and fancyance that a reject class worker is having a bad life because super natural forces placed them in that situation as punishment for wrongfulness in earlier life. In conclusion, Marxist and functionalist similarities on the subject come to the fore and end with the acceptance of religion as a conservative force in society. Neo Marxism does accept the idea (like functionalism) that religion can sometimes be useful to society in bringing close change for the better. For instance the ultra utilization of carrier bag Theology. (Madura).Traditional Marxism is totally opposed to the oppressive role of religion and would be surprised to see that radical forces have emerged with some minority religious groups. Functionalists such as Durkheim and Parsons see religion as being a positive and perhaps essential part of the harmonious workings of society but have been criticised for ignoring the dysfunctional, disruptive, and divisive aspects of religion. They fail to consider hostility between religious groups within the same society. It would seem that religion t hreatens social integration as readily as it contributes to it (Stark & Glock).