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Sarah Aezer
Wijitha Bandara
Rels 2300-002
9-2-16
Perspectives On Religion
As far back into our past as we can see, religion has been so
seamlessly woven into the fabric of every day human life. In fact, it is
sometimes so intertwined with our daily existence that it seems
indistinguishable where existing ends and religion begins. Whether we
are studying it or practicing it, there is no denial that religion is one of
the most significant aspects of culture throughout history. There have
been discrepancies, however, as to religions purpose and validity.

Three main perspectives have developed on religion: materialist,

functionalist, and faith perspectives. Materialists see religion as
something fabricated by man with selfish or secular intentions;
functionalists see religion as a necessary part of societal structure, a
means of evolutionary survival, a form of psychological neurosis, or a
way to explain lifes joys and sufferings; the faith perspective sees
religions purpose as venturing past our mortal limits, and ascending to
new realms of consciousness. While materialist and faith viewpoints
somewhat contradict each other, the viewpoint of functionalists does
not exclude the others.2
1 Fisher,MaryPat.LivingReligions.UpperSaddleRiver,NJ:PrenticeHall,1999.Ebook,section1.2,
page1.

2 Fisher,MaryPat.LivingReligions.UpperSaddleRiver,NJ:PrenticeHall,1999.Ebook,section1.2,
page1,page2,page3.

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Deities are infinite, wise and powerful beings while humans are fallible,
immoral, and even trivial. A materialist would believe that these
characteristics are just projections of our own insecurities. We worship
these deities and broaden the gap between them and ourselves- i.e.
propagating self-loathing. Other materialists such as Karl Marx would
argue that religions are fashioned to serve the interests of those in
positions of power and to preserve control over society. This school of
thought says that tyrants oppression and mistreatment of people is
justified by religion as punishment by God for their wrongdoings. It also
says that those at the bottom of the socio economic system are to
remain there as punishment for their wrongdoings in previous lives,
which then impedes the people from lashing out against cruelty or
injustice, and thus secures the favor and status of those already in
power. Whether it was created by the people, or by those in control of
the people, materialists maintain that religion is a fictitious thing that
inhibits individuals from reaching their true potential, and creates a
great divide between people.3
The functionalist perspective is approached from many different
sciences and ways of thinking. First, theres the sociology standpoint,
which sees religion as an essential part of any societal makeup.
Sociologist Emile Durkheim, as well as others, has found that religion,

3 Fisher,MaryPat.LivingReligions.UpperSaddleRiver,NJ:PrenticeHall,1999.Ebook,section1.2,
page1.

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in general, promotes certain characteristics in people that help society
thrive such as generosity, community care, compassion, and integrity.
These characteristics, especially generosity and community care, may
help to lengthen the life expectancy and overall health of the people
involved in religions. Another view of the function of religion is a
biological one. John Bowker supposes that we are hard wired to seek
out religious communities for our species survival, as strong
community tends to promote healthy gene selection and protection of
children. Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud takes an almost materialistic
stance on the function of religion. His thought is that we project our
parental relationships onto our relationships with deities. He thinks that
our desire to seek approval from these deities is none other than a
form of mental illness in which we neurotically try to stem our guilt and
feel love from a parental-like being. However, this psychoanalytical
stance does not always have to have such a negative connotation.
Other psychoanalysts see much value in the comfort people find from
a parental or friend-like deity. When people feel protected by their
Gods, they feel less isolated, they relinquish control so they tend to
find more patience and peace, they have a broader focus on life so
their small stresses become unimportant. Religion, for some, can be
very mentally and emotionally stabilizing.4

4 Fisher,MaryPat.LivingReligions.UpperSaddleRiver,NJ:PrenticeHall,1999.Ebook,section1.2,
page2.

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Mysticism is defined as the intuitive perception of spiritual truths
beyond the limits of reason. The faith perspective of religion centers
on this idea. Those with this perspective, such as philosopher William
James, reason that the rational consciousness that we live our every
day lives with is merely one of the levels of consciousness that we
possess. While experienced and attempted in different ways and called
a number of things, this idea of another type of consciousness or
awareness is present in many religions. It is described by some, as
coming to know an ultimate, eternal reality with ones whole self: body
and soul.5
While religion is an inseparable part of life, we each experience it
through the lenses of our own unique culture, experience, and
personality. One might have the opinion that religion is a tool of
manipulation, while another may see religion as a way to explain and
cope with the struggles and delights we are bound to face in our lives.
Some people might take religion many steps further and attempt to
realize a new level of sentience altogether. These three different
perspectives, materialism, functionalism, and faith, are a way for us to
categorize and decide where we fall on the spectrum of religion.
However, no matter how much time and study we put into the subject
of religion, we may never be able to know why we feel it is so
important to integrate into our lives so completely, and we may never
5 Fisher,MaryPat.LivingReligions.UpperSaddleRiver,NJ:PrenticeHall,1999.Ebook,section1.2,
page3.

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know which perspective, if any, is true. Though the truth may never be
known, and no matter what our perspective may be, it is important to
be constantly seeking new knowledge and c

Bibliography

Fisher,MaryPat.LivingReligions.UpperSaddleRiver,NJ:PrenticeHall,1999.Ebook,section1.2

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oexisting with one another peacefully.6

6 Fisher,MaryPat.LivingReligions.UpperSaddleRiver,NJ:PrenticeHall,1999.Ebook,section1.2,
page1,page2,page3.