Discuss the critiques to the functionalist beliefs regarding the role of religion in society,with a particular emphasis on the limitations of Durkheim's analysis of religion.

Answers will vary but should include a combination of a few of the following:
First,to assume that religion is purely functional completely dismisses instances in which it is clearly dysfunctional.For example,while religion may be an important source of social cohesion for a group,it is also the reason for much conflict,tension,and bloodshed between groups.Religious groups have been in conflict with each other for thousands of years,and this often leads to a great deal of social upheaval and human suffering.
Second,while some level of social control is necessary for society to function,some religious traditions are very strict and often deny people the ability to think for themselves.Some suggest that a third limitation of Durkheim's functional interpretation of religion is his analysis of the sacred and profane,which is overly rigid and does not fit the anthropological record.
Third,religions today must compete with other social institutions and categories that are sources of personal identity-for example,race,social class,and nationality.These may become increasingly important as formerly insulated societies become more interconnected as a result of globalization.
Fourth,the functional analysis of religion fails to recognize the roles that social class,power,and gender play in the development and maintenance of religion-an important component of how conflict theorists explain religion.
Finally,because religion is considered to be the expression of a collective conscience,it suggests very little opportunity for individual agency-that is,the ability of people to define and experience their own sense of spirituality and morality,an important aspect of how symbolic interactionists explore the social significance of religion.