Theoretical Perspectives Structural Functionalism Structural Term Paper

One could, for instance, examine the role that the authority structures of the Catholic Church have had in shaping the formation of societies and they way that they function. This form of analysis can also be extended to other religions - such as the role of power and conflict in a Muslim world and the role that religion plays in the coercive structures of many Middle Eastern societies.

On the other hand, one can also use the theoretical and methodological tools that are provided by structural functional theory to analyze the way that religious institutions act as an integrative and cohesive structure in society. This could also be extended to less prolific but influential religion such as the Mormon Church that helped to shape society and integrate people in regions of the United States.

Interactionist theory also provides a very useful method of analyzing the way that various religious groupings are initiated and maintained within society from a more subjective and interpersonal perspective. In summary, all these various theories have positive and negative aspects but their different vantage points can also be used to shed light on the understanding of religion in modern society.References

Compare and contrast structural functionalism and conflict theory. Retrieved April 1, 2008, at http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:S3BioPfzybAJ:www.hkbu.edu.hk/sosc/soc/students/student_image/assignment1.pdf+Structural+functionalism+%2B+conflict+theory+%2B+Interactionism&l=en&t=clnk&d=6&l=za

Functionalism, Neofunctionalism, Conflict Theory. Retrieved April 1, 2008, at http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:HLjLjFvofp0J:s3.amazonaws.com/steffentchr/2259/Funktionalisme,_neofunktionalisme_og_konfliktteori_(Ritzer).doc+Structural+functionalism+and+conflict+theory&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=za

Interactionism. Retrieved April 1, 2008, at http://sixthsense.osfc.ac.uk/sociology/as_sociology/interactionism.asp

MARSHALL G. (1998) Conflict Theory. Retrieved April 1, 2008, at http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-conflicttheory.html

Symbolic Interactionism. Retrieved April 1, 2008, at http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/319j3103.htm

Theory, Theories, and Theorists. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from. http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/milofsky/Intro/Classnotes/4theory93.htm.....