Sociologists explore religion and its impression on society.

Functionalists explore the functional

features of religion as they pertain to interpersonal interactions, whereas conflict theorists
consider religion as a way of controlling the working class and promoting the ruling class's
interests.

● THE FUNCTIONALIST APPROACH

This approach addresses and explores religion with regards to fulfilling several essential
necessities of society. Functionalists are concerned with the contribution of religion towards
establishing social solidarity and stability in society.

● EMILE DURKHEIM
In his work “The Elementary Forms of Religious Life”, sociologist Durkheim proposed a theory of
religion based on the sacred, which transcends ordinary life, and the profane, referring to
mundane routines. He saw religion as a mechanism to distinguish between these and argued
that religious rituals reinforce social bonds and collective conscience. Moreover, Durkheim
identified totemic religion, found among Aboriginal societies, as the simplest religious practice.
Noting that worship of the totem signifies respect for society, he argued that societies, in
essence, worship themselves through religion.Criticisms of his theory include lack of
generalizability and less relevance to complex societies.

● FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION
Durkheim regarded religion to have qualities that were advantageous for individuals as well as
society as a whole. Individuals have benefited from the customs and ideologies that
accompanied the practice of religion, which established a source of security and peace of mind,
particularly during periods of distress and adversity.Amid moments of mourning, for instance,
many individuals seek consolation and ease in the ceremonies involved with burials and/or
cremations. A successful execution of numerous religious rituals helps to mitigate the impact of
the deceased's death. In other situations, participation in religious activities offers a sense of
belonging to individuals in the form of moral cohesion.

Durkheim maintained that religion provides a framework for the advancement and reinforcement
of society's main values and norms at the level of society as a whole. These norms and ideals
progress from simply being common practices to being the ethical standards of the society.
These norms and values become sacred. As a result, he regards religion as an element of a
community's way of life that aids in the preservation of cultural traditions. Society will only thrive
if its members have agreed upon values. As a result, durkheim sees god worship as a cover for
societal reverence.
 ● MALINOWKI’S THEORY
Like Durkheim, Brianslaw Malinowski (1948), views religion as a supplement for social norms,
values and an advocate for social solidarity
He deviates from durkheims in that:
1.) He does not vies religion and reflecting society as a whole;and

2.) He does not see religious rituals as the worship of society

Malinowski believed that there are specific areas of social life where religion is important.

● CRITICISMS

The functionalist perspective emphasizes the positive contributions of religion to society and
tends to ignore its dysfunctional aspects.
With its preoccupation with harmony , integration and solidarity, functionalism neglects the many
instances where religion can be seen as a divisive and disruptive force. It bypasses the frequent
examples of internal divisions within a community over questions of religious dogma and
worship - divisions that can lead to open conflict.
It gives little consideration to hostility between different religious groups within the same society,
such as Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland or Hindus and Muslims in India.
In such cases, religion can be seen as a direct threat to social order.

● TALCOTT PARSONS
Parsons perceived that religion, via its belief system, offers an orderly structure for achieving
social order and stability. In a nutshell, religion adds to society's functioning necessities.

Parsons, like Durkheim, contends that religion can bring comfort and refuge to people of society
who have been befallen by unforeseen and unexpected events such as as death. Parsons
argued that religion, through its belief system, could help people adjust and adapt to such
situations.Furthermore, Parsons claims that religion gives a strategy for dealing with
'uncertainty' situations.

Parsons also thought that religion contributes to the deeper significance of life. Religion acts as
a societal remedy to a few of society's injustices. It contributes to the provision of 'logical
answers' to some of the worries people may have about their social situation.
Religion, therefore, contributes to the acceptance of people’s situations and ensures social
order and stability.