Religion is a subject that has been of constant interest to anthropologists. Before discussing origins, functions and examples of religion however, it is first necessary that we develop a proper definition. For the purpose of this paper I will define religion as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred or divine, as well as the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such beliefs. Anthropologists like Tylor, Durkheim, Malinowski and others have purposed their own definitions related to their views concerning the origins of religion, its specific functions in society as well as its impact on other social institutions such as economics and politics. In the following pages I will discuss a number of theorists and their explanations for the above questions related to the topic of religion: 1.) What is the origin of religion and why? 2.) What function does religion have in societies? As a final aspect of my research I will offer modern explanations of religion to show how newer theories are related to original theories of religion
[...] Tylor believed firmly that Animism was the groundwork for the entire philosophy of religion from “savage up to “civilized men.” He used the term and all future theories of religion are the branches. There are many theories of the function of religion. Often, however, the function of religion is tied to the origin of it, because it developed because there was a need for it. Tylor's work states the Animism was developed based on a need for explanations for the un-explainable tragedies and happiness's in their lives. [...]
[...] In his book, Religion, Anthony Wallace discusses his own ideas of the origins of religion as well as several general goals and functions. He separates goals and functions by arguing that the goals are what the religion intends to do and the functions are how the religions affect the specific society. He has two ideas of the origin of religion. The first of which is based on animal spiritual and religious behaviors and how it mimics human religious behaviors. He first discusses the social rituals that have been extensively described by ethnologists. [...]
[...] In his collective book Magic, Science, and Religion, he discusses his beliefs of the origins of religion. Unlike several other theorists, Malinowski credits individual societies with the development and origin of religion and religious beliefs. In the chapter titles “Myths of Origin,” he gives detailed descriptions of specific tribes and their individual beliefs in where their religions originated. He still states, however, that religions form because they have a specific function in civilizations. This point has been touched on several times. [...]
[...] Each of the above theorists has offered a unique way of understanding religion and its origins and functions in society. Tylor focused on the belief in the soul and the emergence of Animism among “primitive societies.” According to him, all societies have at least this because it is human instinct to try to explain the unexplainable. For Durkheim religion also functioned to explain things. But it worked as a societal control and as the creation of morals, values, and norms. [...]
[...] Naturism is an elementary religion that explains phenomena through forces of nature, for example, cosmic forces and various objects that cover the earth. Durkheim believed that there was another elementary religion even more primitive than the others known as totemism. He proposed this because the types of societies found to have totemic religions were so rudimentary that the house and hut were still unknown to them. In totemic religions, members are part of a specific group, not necessarily related by blood, and this group is given a totem name, which is most commonly an animal or vegetable. [...]
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