1. Social Functions and Dysfunctions of Religion
What Religion Does for Society
Functionalist Approach:
Social scientists do not ask 'Is God real?' — they ask 'What does religion DO for society?' Functionalists study religion as a social institution — like education or family — that plays specific roles in keeping society stable and united.
But Religion Can Also Go Wrong:
Religion can divide, oppress, and create conflict. This is called dysfunction. The most complete analysis of both comes from Durkheim, Malinowski, Parsons, and Merton.
Quick Map: Who Said What:
| Thinker | Perspective | Main Argument |
|---|---|---|
| Emile Durkheim | Sociology | Religion creates social solidarity and collective conscience |
| Bronislaw Malinowski | Anthropology | Religion helps individuals cope with anxiety and uncertainty |
| A.R. Radcliffe-Brown | Structural | Religious rituals and myths reinforce value consensus |
| Talcott Parsons | System Theory | Religion maintains pattern (values/norms) across generations |
| Kingsley Davis | Functionalism | Religion provides social goals and justifies them |
| Robert K. Merton | Critical Functionalism | Religion can be functional, dysfunctional, OR non-functional |
| Karl Marx | Conflict | Religion is false consciousness — it stops the poor from rebelling |
| Robert Bellah | Civil Religion | Even secular societies have 'civil religion' (nationalism, etc.) |
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In these notes
- Social Functions and Dysfunctions of Religion
- Malinowski: Religion as Psychological Safety Net
- Durkheim: Religion as the Glue of Society
- Radcliffe-Brown: Rituals and Myths Build Value Consensus
- Parsons: Religion Maintains Values Across Generations
- Davis: Religion Provides Goals and Justifies Them
- Bellah: Civil Religion in Secular Societies
- Functional Alternatives: Same Function, Different Form
- Merton: Religion Can Be Dysfunctional
- Merton: Manifest and Latent Functions
- Marx: Religion as Opium and Dysfunction
- Functions and Dysfunctions Compared
- Q: Discuss the Social Functions and Dysfunctions of Religion with Suitable Examples
- Q: Critically Examine the Social Functions and Dysfunctions of Religion with Reference to Durkheim, Marx and Merton
- Quick Revision Summary
- How to Write Answers on Religion
- Expected Questions for OPSC/UPSC
- Complete Summary