Just Trying to Think it Through

Functionalism meets Conflict Theory. Functionalism is a way of looking at a society (small or large) through the eyes of generally accepted rules and patterns of acceptable roles and behavior. Conflict Theory views society as a dialectic – a kind of struggle for dominance or, at best a just balance of power and self determination. Functionalism values society in its predictability and order. Conflict Theory, generally, values exertion of countervailing power intended to disrupt the status quo so highly valued by Functionalists.

Functionalism has mores, customs, folkways, and norms. Many of these forms of social control are established in written and unwritten laws. There were laws that persons of color could not use the same rest room as persons without color.

I once read a selection of the minutes of a segregated church in the South where they were seriously considering the membership of a black man, named Willie, who as their janitor. Willie was generally liked and appreciated for his diligence execution of his list of duties. One task required of him was to open and close the church building on Sunday mornings. Since there was only small building he had few choices as to where to be while public worship was taking place. At first he stood in an empty hallway. Since he was a devout Christian and even a preacher himself, he liked to hear the sermon so he stood just outside the door the sanctuary. The church fathers even considered making Willie a member of the church but they voted the notion down on the basis that they could not afford to construct a separate bathroom for him and his family. Now that same congregation welcomes persons of all races.

For the Christian Functionalist, God’s laws hold the highest authority. Functionalists can also follow folkways and norms that have no support in God’s law or Gospel. Racist Folkways and Laws can bring shameful inequities. Uncritical Patriotism can justify an unjust war that serves only the financial interest of the oil industry. In the idolotry of blind Patriotism, love of nation becomes equal to love of God.

For the Christian who has grown accustom to seeing the Church as a social institution defined by Conflict Theory, every rule and every law of God must be judged on the basis, “Does it pass the Justice/Love test?” Theirs is a one principle ethic. Even the moral restrictions found the Bible must pass this test or be abandoned. Feminists view many of the biblical laws and even its doctrine of God as tools for the dominate gender to remain in power. For the Christian who views Church/society from a functionalist’s model biblical norms come from God and no human being should violate them even if they are convinced it serves a higher principle called Justice/Love.

The ironic part is that those who control the Presbyterian Church (USA) do so by changing its laws function from a Conflict Theory but they use the ideas of Functionalism to advance their quest for Justice / Love. This is why they mix blatant disobedience of established rules to press a case in the Church Courts (which they control) in order to dismantle the Law of God. Church Courts should be functionalist institutions but they are copted by folks with a Cause. They do this all for the sake of some notion that views God as a force for Justice / Love. Therefore what serves Justice / Love serves God rightly. Whatever opposes Justice / Love, even the Bible, must be morally wrong.

At the heart of the Liberation Theology of Latin American Marxists, African Americans fighting for their civil rights, Woman struggling for equality, and the Homosexual’s cry to be viewed as a normal (lawful) way of being sexual all view reality from the lens of Conflict Theory.

The difference between the two candidates for President rests of their use of Conflict Theory and Functionalism. Obama wants to force the rich to pay for the programs that benefit the poor and Romney wants to allow the Capitalist system of the Market place to produce the wealth of a nation and thereby give all citizens (rich and poor) the opportunity prosper through their own talents and ingenuity.

The difference in the Mainline Protestantism between those demanding marriage and ordination for homosexuals and those opposed to it is the difference between Conflict Theory and Functionalism.