Religion and social life
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
List the six social functions of religion and explain each in one sentence.
Worldview, consolation, identity, norm-setting, control, adaptation – definitions should be in your own words.
2
Find brief information on one work by Durkheim or Weber and write about its significance for religious studies.
The answer should include the work’s title, year and main idea.
3
Write with an example why using religion for selfish purposes is dangerous for social development.
For example, turning belief into a weapon in political struggle divides society and destroys trust.
4
Prepare a 4–5 sentence note on Ulugbek and his “Zij-i Sultani”.
1394–1449; the Samarkand observatory; star tables completed in 1437; had madrasas built.
5
Using the examples of Shinto and Judaism, where belonging to the religion can be linked to belonging to a people, explain the identity function.
In such cases religion is part of national identity and unites the community; but not in every religion.