Durkheim, Weber, And Geertz On Religion

Explain the perspectives of Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Geertz on religion. Which one do you think best captures the role, the function of religion on human life, and why? Durkheim’s social view of religion focuses on what is sacred (holy) and profane (unholy) which is expressed through religious rituals. A ritual is an “act or series of acts regularly repeated over years or generations that embody the beliefs of a group of people and create a sense of continuity and belonging” (Guest, 2018 p.36). Durkheim noticed at the start of the industrial age people starting exhibiting anomie and wondered how this problem will be solved. Anomie occurs when an individual is alienation due to the loss or disruption of social bonds and group values. Religion
was the solution and the participation in rituals is the remedy since both involve a group of people going through the same experience. The result of these shared experiences is “social solidarity, cohesion, and stability” within the group. Durkheim came to these conclusions, on the core of religion, after studying the Australian aborigines people. This was a simple society and thus, they must exhibit a simple religion that may provide insight into organized religions. Marx viewed religion as a from of medicine to people. Religion “dulled people pain” and distracted people from the inequalities occurring in their life (Guest, 2018 p. 372). Religion stopped the proletariat (working class) from overthrowing the bourgeoisie (owners). Marx believes economics is the foundation of social life where other institutions arise from, such as religion. Individuals who are religious are more likely to accept the status quo since they know they will be rewarded in heaven. Weber believed religion is important in understanding global societies and the rise of industrial capitalism only in Europe. Weber believed religious ideologies can shape a society since it can influence when and how strong it transitions into another economic and political system. Asia had a capitalist economy, but their religious beliefs prevented this economy from developing in the western style. The religious beliefs and life style of Protestants in western Europe aligned perfectly with capitalism Hard work, thrifting, and self-discipline along with economics provided the framework for industrial capitalism to be successful. Rationalization of the Christian religion led to the decrease of other expressions of religion that involves rituals, magic or traditions. However, if too much rationalization occur, people may move away from religion. Geertz perspective on religions “suggests that religion is essentially a system of ideas surrounding a set of powerful symbols” (Guest, 2018 p. 382). Symbols have no significance without the reinforcement and internalization of their meaning. This meaning influences one’s worldview and help organize one’s life. For example, the Torah scroll is not just a piece a paper with ink on it to Jewish people. The Torah represents the promises within the relationship between them and God. Marx’s functionalist view on religion best captures the role of religion.
Religion is a guise used by people in power to maintain the status quo and justifies how the world ‘ought to be”. The religious world is dependent on the real world and cannot be maintained without it. Religion supposed to serve as a guide to interpret behavior. However, the proletariat did not use their reasoning and let religion become the truth of their reality, the pain reliver to their inequality. No one questions their quality of life since it is not in their control, it’s in God’s hand. Religion then became their escape from daily life. Religion, just like other social institutions, is dependent on economics. Marx’s view fit best within the definition of religion. Durkheim view on religion best captures the social function of religion. Durkheim’s view involves looking at religion within the context of the entire society. Religion help solidify and maintain society through the reinforcement of group solidarity. Religion creates a cohesive group of people who may have initially had different interest and aspiration that were in direct conflict with the religion. Religion makes a society legitimate once there is a guideline for values and
behaviors.

Your textbook author (p. 409), “…what are the root causes of health disparities?” and how can anthropology help address these disparities?
The root causes of health disparities are unequal access to health care, cultural values and behavior, and the attitudes of health practitioners.
The quality of healthcare one receives is correlated to socioeconomic status and race. Black and Hispanic groups have higher rates of poverty and usually do not have access to good or any health insurance. Since going to the hospital is expensive, most will not go until serious conditions arise. Also, most minority group members do not trust doctors and have an external locus of control; they believe they have no control over their health, it’s up to God. It is more expensive to buy healthy food and individuals with low incomes cannot afford the best food or may not have the education on cheaper alternatives. Whites have better access to private health insurance and use preventive services more often. Individuals with private insurance usually receive referrals to a place that can help them faster, instead of the doctor ignoring the issue. Individuals with Medicaid are only accepted by certain doctors and often do not have one close to them. If white and nonwhite groups have the same level of insurance, they will receive different treatments due to cultural stereotypes professionals
hold.
Due to training health care professionals often want a direct link between the symptom of a disease and its diagnosis, which often ignores what is going on in a person life. However, their illness narrative could explain why certain health problems are occurring. Physician racism and unprofessional behaviors are usually not corrected and lead to minority and nonminority patients receiving different treatments. When something is wrong with a minority patient it is often though that their values and behavior are to blame, and nothing is due to natural causes. Stereotypes in the medical field often involves how minority women can deal with adverse conditions better, then white women, such as pain. Minority women are also believed to have thicker skin and be primitive causes. Regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or health practices, minority mothers and infants have higher mortality rates then white women with the same or lower criteria. The experience of being a female minority puts stress on women and has been proposed as the answer to the difference of mortality rates for white and non-white females (Villarosa, 2018).
Anthropology can help address health disparities by discovering the cause of them. Health professional should receive training on how to incorporate patient’s cultural practices into different health models. It would also be helpful if medical practitioners treated patients equally regardless of race and income level. Also, it would be helpful if more minority health practitioners were the majority in offices that have predominantly black patients. It is hard to relate to a patient if you have not had nor cannot relate to some of the patient’s experiences. Education programs should be developed to teach basic health and nutrition to individuals with lower incomes and education but not in a way that blames them for not knowing. Health care aid programs should be more considerate of the individuals culture they are trying to help and get immersed in that culture. People will not trust a stranger who says an unknown medication will help their child if they do not believe in western medicine. These organization could focus on improving the cultures practice of medicine and standard of living instead. The aid workers should also work alongside traditional healers.