Religion can act as a conservative social force that prevents change and maintains stability, according to functionalist theories. Functionalism views religion as serving important functions for society, such as unifying people through shared values and rituals, reinforcing social solidarity and traditions, and reducing uncertainty and disruption during life events. Examples include religious funerals bringing communities together and rituals among Aboriginal tribes symbolizing cultural ways of life. Overall, Functionalism sees religion as binding members of society together and upholding the social order through these consensus-building and change-preventing functions.

1. Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the view that religion is a force for social change. (18 marks)
Key point Explanation/development Evidence (studies/examples)
Intro (partial) In relation to social change, some theories have argued that religion is a conservative force and acts to prevent change and keep
society stable. This is the view held by earlier theories that stressed the role of institutions in shaping human behaviour and
maintaining the stability of society, such as Functionalism and Marxism.
Functionalism on religion More recently, Bellah has
maintaining social stability examined the idea of civil
religion in America..
Durkheim highlights how religion
binds people together like ‘social
cement’.
Religion can also maintain social
order by reducing emotional and
psychological threats to social
stability..
Religion also reinforces culture
by strongly supporting society,
making it almost sacred..
Functionalism emphasises
consensus in society and how
institutions…
The act of collective worship,
ceremonies and rituals also..
Link sentence Overall, Functionalism,as a consensus theory, describes a range of functions of religion which help to maintain social order and
prevent social change.

2. Missing sentences
1. This is where religion unifies people into a shared set of values which leads to conformity make behaviour
predictable.
2. Brings people together and reinforces social solidarity and support for tradition.
3. Funerals are an example of religion bringing people together and minimising disruption to the life of
the bereaved.
4. Fit together like the organs of the human body and help maintain social order and stability.
5. Parsons also describes this, in relation to religion answering ‘eternal questions’, such as ‘why do
people suffer?’
6. This is where a belief in Americanism unites people and ‘gels people together’ and maintains
society in the same way as a traditional religion

3. 7. Durkheim noted this of Totemism amongst Aboriginal Tribes, where the sacred totem symbolised the
clan and their way of life.
8. An example of this is the 10 commandments and how they reinforce the nuclear family and
monogamous relationships.
9. When people worship they are actually worshipping their society which maintains support for it and
prevents challenges to it.
10 . Malinowski noted how rituals surround life crises and periods of uncertainty to reduce tension
and offer security.
11.In his study of the Trobriand Islanders, Malinowski discovered that religious rituals were used before
fishing in unknown waters to reduce anxiety and bring about a sense of control to the situation.
12. This is illustrated by phrases like ‘one nation under God’ and ‘In God we trust’ on their currency,
suggesting a link between America and God.