Identify and Briefly Explain one Advantage and Two Disadvantages of Functional Definitions of Religion

Identify and briefly explain one advantage and two disadvantages of functional definitions of religion (9 marks)

Functional definitons of religon

The functional definition of religion defines religion in terms of the social and psychological functions that it performs for individuals and society. Psychological definitions focus upon the ways in which religion plays a role in the mental, emotional, and psychological lives of believers. Sociological definitions define religion by the ways in which it either has an impact upon society or the ways in which it is expressed socially by believers. Emile Durkheim (1915) a functionalist defines religion in terms of the contribution it makes to social integration, rather than any specific belief in God or the supernatural.

Another functionalist, Milton Yinger (1970) identifies the positive functions that religion performs for individuals, such as answering the ‘ultimate questions’ about the meaning of life and what happens when we die. The advantage of the functional definition is that they are inclusive- allowing us to include a wide range of beliefs and practices that performs functions such as integration. Also unlike the substantive definition, they do not believe in a specific supernatural belief or God, therefore have a non-bias approach to non-western religions such as Buddhism.

However, although the functional definition is inclusive and helps integrate individuals into groups, other sociologists would suggest that this is not a religion. For example, collective chanting at football matches may give individuals a sense of integration, but this doesn’t mean that it is in fact a religion.