Functionalism is a sociological theory viewing society as a complex system whose parts work together promoting organization and structure with all elements functioning together as a unit (Kingsbury & Scanzoni, 1993). Norms are the expectations and or rules sometimes unspoken in a culture. Values are "culturally defined standards held by individuals or groups about what is desirable, proper, beautiful, good or bad"(Oxford University Press, 2009). Norms and values lay framework for a functional society with people on the individual level being able to work together with others in groups to support social order.
A social institution is a group of people organized together with a common purpose that has rights
goals and objectives that are independent of the individual members. Some examples of social institutions are government, religion, corporations, health care, and families.
Religion as a social institution has played a large role in shaping society, social perspectives, and norms. Religion is an example of a social institution that affects people’s behavior in society. According to functionalist theory, religion exists because it provides certain functions. The functions of religion are to support a working society and to give people life, social, and spiritual guidelines. Since institutions are not necessarily functional in the same way for all people, institutions have dysfunctions as well. Dysfunctions are defined as conflicts between groups that are reinforced by prejudice.
Christianity's Holy Bible has largely influenced many views including whether it is permissible to be gay. Christianity has had a large affect on both people's personal views and laws, such as "Don't ask don't tell." This mandate stated that it was acceptable to be gay in the military as long as you didn't mention it at all. It was instated during the Clinton era to get around religious prejudice and allowed gays be part of the military. Although it recently became a social issue with attitudes becoming more liberal toward the gay community. There are also laws preventing gay males from getting married and even donating blood. It is written in the Holy Bible "if a man lies with another man he shall be stoned to death with stones."(Leviticus King James ed.)
Modern day society does not condone punishment by death for anything less than capital offenses, yet anti-gay perspective is still strong. There have been recent movements such as the legalized gay marriage act to try to bring equality to the gay community. It has still met resistance from large portions of the population, especially from religious conservatives.
Don't ask don't tell has been recently repealed but I am using material from the recent past when it was under controversy as an example of conservative values.
The following video I think is an interesting representation of the fear of gays and the comparison of gay rights and racial discrimination from a conservative politician.
A recent 2013 survey by The Public Religion Institute showed that 58% of Catholics and 55% of white main line Protestants supported same-sex marriage, though 71% of evangelical Protestants opposed gay marriage. The movement to oppress gays and ban same-sex marriage appears to be an attempt to maintain an older, somewhat dying social norm and more traditional family values. Comparing the affect of these two clashing subcultures is an example of societal organizations trying to promote their values on both each other and other subcultures.
In conclusion, religion strongly impacts attitudes, perspectives, and behaviors of individuals and communities. It can play a significant role in both being functional and dysfunctional in society. For some individuals religion is like a guiding light that lets them be a part of functioning society. For other people, it can lead them to prejudice and discrimination resulting in those individuals being more dysfunctional to society. Religion can also be dysfunctional by causing division between people of different beliefs.
Do you think religion is functional or dysfunctional to society?
Do you think your views of gay people are influenced by religion?
I think this video is interesting just as an extreme perspective you may want to check it out.
(2009). A Dictionary of Sociology. Oxford University Press.
Henslin, J. (2012). A down to earth approach . (Eleventh ed.). Boston: Pearson Inc.
Kingsbury, N., & Scanzoni, J. 1993 Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-387-85764-0_9
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