IGNOU MSOE 003 Important Questions With Answers English Medium
IGNOU MSOE 003 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-MSOE 003 Sociology of Religion this course delves into the fascinating interplay between religion and society, exploring the social factors that shape religious beliefs, practices, and institutions.
Course
Structure:
- Module 1: Introduction to the Sociology of Religion
- Module 2: Theories of Religion and Society
- Module 3: Religious Organizations and Institutions
- Module 4: Religion and Social Change
- Module 5: Religion and Individual Lives
- Module 6: Contemporary Issues in the Sociology of Religion
Q.1
Discuss Freud's approach to the study of religion.
Sigmund Freud, the eminent figure in psychoanalysis, extended
his influential theories to investigate various aspects of human experience,
including religion. Freud's exploration of religion, predominantly found in his
later works like "The Future of an Illusion" (1927) and "Moses
and Monotheism" (1939), is grounded in a psychoanalytic framework. This
approach underscores the role of the unconscious mind, psychological
mechanisms, and the intricacies of the human psyche.
IGNOU MSOE 003 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-Freud initiated his examination of religion by considering
its origins, positing that religion traces its roots to primitive human
societies and the psychological dynamics within families. In "Totem and
Taboo" (1913), he introduced the Oedipus complex, suggesting that early
human groups revered a primal father figure, analogous to the patriarchal
authority within families. This primal father, represented by the totem, became
an object of veneration, laying the groundwork for religious rituals and
symbolism.
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According to Freud, religion addresses fundamental human
concerns such as the fear of death, the unknown, and unpredictable natural
forces. It functions as a psychological mechanism providing a comforting
narrative that explains life's uncertainties, offering solace and meaning in
the face of existential anxieties. In "The Future of an Illusion,"
Freud argues that religious beliefs emerge from humanity's innate desires for
security and protection, projecting a powerful father figure onto the divine.
Moving beyond individual psychological origins, Freud's
perspective on religion extends to its societal functions. He characterizes
religion as a collective neurosis, similar to individual neuroses but on a
larger scale. In "Totem and Taboo," Freud suggests that societal
institutions, including religion, act as mechanisms for managing collective
anxieties and conflicts. Religion, in this view, functions as a societal
defense mechanism, regulating interpersonal relationships and providing a
shared set of beliefs and rituals to unify communities.
IGNOU MSOE 003 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-However, Freud acknowledges that this collective neurosis
comes at a cost. While religion may offer psychological comfort, it also
imposes constraints on individual freedom and intellectual inquiry. Freud
criticizes religious doctrines for inhibiting critical thinking and fostering
unquestioning obedience to authority. His portrayal of religion as a collective
neurosis underscores his ambivalence toward its societal role, acknowledging
its psychological functions while highlighting potential drawbacks.
In "The Future of an Illusion," Freud delves deeper
into the nature of religious beliefs, referring to them as illusions. He argues
that religious concepts of God and an afterlife are wish-fulfillments rooted in
humanity's desires for protection and permanence. God, as an omnipotent and
benevolent father figure, fulfills the wish for a protective force in the face
of life's uncertainties. The idea of an afterlife, according to Freud,
addresses the fear of death, providing the comforting illusion of eternal
existence.
Freud contends that religious beliefs, while psychologically
understandable, are ultimately illusions arising from unconscious desires and
fantasies. He compares religion to a child's relationship with its parents,
where the child constructs an idealized image of the parent to cope with
anxieties and uncertainties. Similarly, religious beliefs involve a projection
of human wishes onto a divine entity, creating an illusionary source of comfort
and guidance.
IGNOU MSOE 003 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-Freud's critique of religion extends beyond its individual
and societal functions to its impact on civilization. In "Civilization and
Its Discontents" (1930), he explores the tensions between individual
desires and societal constraints, suggesting that religion plays a role in the
suppression of instinctual drives. Religious and moral codes, rooted in
societal norms, restrict individual freedoms and contribute to a discontent
inherent in civilized societies.
Religious prohibitions, according to Freud, curb instinctual
impulses and desires, leading to a sense of guilt and repression. He argues
that the conflict between individual desires and societal constraints,
epitomized by religious morality, generates psychological tension. While
recognizing the societal benefits of such restrictions in maintaining order,
Freud underscores the psychological toll they impose on individuals,
contributing to the perennial discontent he associates with civilization.
In his later work "Moses and Monotheism," Freud
offers a psychoanalytic exploration of the origins of Judaism and monotheistic
religion. He proposes a controversial theory suggesting that Moses,
traditionally regarded as the leader of the Israelites, was not of Hebrew
origin but an Egyptian. Freud theorizes that Moses, influenced by Egyptian
religious and cultural elements, introduced monotheism to the Israelites,
reshaping their beliefs and contributing to the development of Judeo-Christian
traditions.
Freud's psychoanalytic examination of Moses and monotheism
involves intricate explorations of unconscious processes and historical
speculation. He suggests that Moses, originally an Egyptian figure, was later
rejected and deified by the Israelites. The influence of Egyptian religious
concepts, particularly the worship of the sun god Aten, is theorized to have
contributed to the development of monotheistic ideas within the Israelite
community.
While Freud's approach to the study of religion has
significantly impacted psychology and religious studies, it is not without criticisms.
His reductionist perspective, interpreting religious beliefs solely as
psychological phenomena, has been challenged for neglecting cultural,
historical, and social dimensions. Critics argue that his emphasis on
unconscious desires oversimplifies the rich and multifaceted nature of
religious experience.
Moreover, Freud's theories have been accused of Eurocentrism,
as they draw primarily from Western, particularly Judeo-Christian, religious
traditions. The applicability of Freudian concepts to diverse cultural and
religious contexts is a subject of ongoing debate. Additionally, the
speculative nature of Freud's later works, such as "Moses and
Monotheism," has been met with skepticism within academic circles.
Q.2
Explain the relationship between protestant ethic and the rise of capitalism.
Q.3
Critically examine Marxian theory of religion.
Q.4
What is 'non-renunciation' ? Discuss with reference to auspiciousness and
purity.
Q.5
Discuss the features of the 'Okka' in Coorg settlements.
Q.6
What is religious pluralism ? How is it significant in the Indian context ?
Q.7
How does Levi - Strauss explain totemism ?
Q.8
How does Levi - Strauss explain totemism ?
Q.9
What is religious revivalism ? Explain its significance in society.
Q.10
'Religion is a system of symbols.' Discuss.
Q.11
Discuss the Marxian approach to the understanding of religion.
Q.12
Explain Freudian approach to the understanding of religion.
Q.13
Describe T. N. Madan’s view on non- renunciation with reference to the Kashmiri
Pandits.
Q.14
Discuss the mystical traditions of the Lamas of Mcleodganj.
Q.15
Explain the concepts of auspiciousness and purity with their significance to
the study of religion.
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