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Identify and briefly explain two problems in assessing the influences of religion in modern society
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RELIGION - 09/02 A) Identify and briefly explain two problems in assessing the influences of religion in modern society (8) The functionalist perspective examines religion in terms of society's needs. Functionalist analysis is primarily concerned with the contribution religion makes to meeting these needs. From this perspective, society requires a certain degree of social solidarity, value consensus, and harmony and integration between its parts. Durkheim believed that social life is impossible without the shared values and moral beliefs that form the 'collective conscience'. In their absence, there would be no social order, social control, social solidarity or cooperation. In short, there would be no society. Religion reinforces the collective conscience. The worship of society strengthens the values and moral beliefs that form the basis of social life. By defining them as sacred, religion provides them with greater power to direct human action. This attitude of respect towards the sacred is the same attitude applied...
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