Johnson 1

The Functionalist Perspective of

Religion and the Rohingya

Population: 51.9 Million

Rohingya Population: 1 Million
 Johnson 2

The study of religion is a complex field that creates many differing opinions and

perspectives. These separate perspectives help us focus on the academic aspects of world

religions in an ever-changing world society and how they create unique cultural ties. While

every viewpoint on religion is important to acknowledge, it is important to understand that the

goal of these varying views help us find answers to why religion exists and how it has

maintained itself within cultural societies around the world. It seems that just about every

culture in the world has its own source of religious practice which helps define them as a

people and the ways in which they choose to live their lives. The way these people live is

fundamental in understanding their belief system and the ways in which it drives them to

maintain their faith despite spiritual and worldly oppression.

One of the most currently examined religious perspectives today is of the oppressed

ethnic group of Rohingya in Myanmar. The Rohingya are an ethnic group primarily secluded to

Rhakine state in the Western region of Myanmar. Primarily of Muslim descent, the Rohingya

have been under intense subjugation and seclusion in the Buddhist controlled country (Al

Jazeera 2018). Though the ethnic group has been living in the country for decades, they are

denied citizenship and forced to live impoverish lives as the Myanmar government believes the

Rohingya to be illegal immigrants residing in their country (Person 2017). With the unbelievable

lives many of these Rohingya are facing it has begun to cause serious tension between the

Muslim and Buddhist communities in Myanmar. There has been fighting from both sides as

many insurgent groups have emerged in attempts to fight back against the oppressive

government in hopes of achieving greater equality (Deutsche Welle 2017).

 Johnson 3

The government leaders of Myanmar have had quite the struggle trying to maintain the

conflict due to their strong Buddhist backgrounds. The difficulty with the situation is that the

majority Buddhist community rejects the Rohingya Muslims and support towards the minority

group could potentially create greater conflict and fighting within the already unstable society

(Deutsche Welle 2017). Even though Muslim belief has received a bad reputation in recent

years due to radical extremists and terrorist groups, the religion does not condone violence and

strongly pushes a peaceful way life above all else. While the conflict is still ongoing, it is difficult

to place blame on one side or the other. Both parties have created undeserved violence

towards the other and there doesn’t seem to be a solution prevailing in the near future.

Whether an outside intervention is required will remain to be seen, but if a resolution is not

found soon it could result in catastrophic consequences for not just the residents of Myanmar.

The functionalist perspective of religion is a great way of analyzing how the Rohingya

have managed to stay strong and tightly wound together as a community against their

oppressive circumstances. Functionalist views of religion are seen as a method of explaining

why religion is found in just about every culture around the world and why societies function in

their own unique ways (Fisher 2017 p. 6). The concept of shaping and maintaining societal

order was well defined by famous sociologist Emile Durkheim who stated that religion is the

sole stabilizing factor that holds society together despite hardship (Fisher 2017 p. 6). The

harmony created by religious practice teaches those within society key aspects of peaceful

living such as compassion, justice, and discipline that are essential to creating an interwoven

community whose devotion supersedes the trials and stresses of everyday life.
 Johnson 4

One of the strongest explanations among functionalists is that human beings long for

stability and organization in order to live functional lives (Fisher 2017 p. 6). The strong sense of

community and social structure helps individuals feel safe and secure within the community in

which they live. This in turn creates a society that is strong and focused on the same goals and

lifestyle. The idea of safety is key to the Rohingya life as they are consistently under worry of

attacks of violence from Myanmar militants (Deutsche Welle 2017). By staying close together,

the Rohingya are able to create a stronger community that is able to feed and provide for each

other through the current struggles and challenges they are faced with. The complex status of

Myanmar has created large amounts of tension between the differing ethnic groups, but it is

the strong sense of community that keeps these two differing groups clinging to their own way

of thinking. The Buddhists and Muslim differences continue to create conflicts, but the

Rohingya especially have made great strides to stay close together despite the relocation they

have faced by the Myanmar government. Since the majority of all Rohingya within Myanmar

reside within the small state of Rhakine they are able to rely on those who share their own

beliefs and customs which creates the harmony and peace they long so for.

The functionalist perspective also helps us understand the Rohingya problem by

examining human being’s desire to be with those who understand and live the same lifestyle.

Life if full of hardships that can be difficult to face alone, especially in the case of the Rohingya

people. Sharing the same beliefs provides them with the inner strength required to persevere

against the constant oppression and loss they are faced with each passing day (Fisher 2017 p.

7). The belief in God is also a great way to view how the Rohingya Muslims can survive despite

the odds placed against them. By placing faith in the divine we are able to see how the
 Johnson 5

comforts of a greater being provides people with a strength to endure through almost any

hardship. The thought of being alone and isolated is a common fear among many people

throughout the world, perhaps none more so than the Rohingya currently. The Muslim faith in

God has helped them to maintain a strong community within the deprived situations and they

continue to strive for the equality they deserve.

Religion, in general, is a way of life that creates inner peace and a standard for how a

successful and rewarding life can be achieved. This idea of successful and rewarding lives may

seem out of reach for many of the Rohingya in their current state, but they continue to strive

onward despite the obstacles that are placed before them. Though the struggle of the Rohingya

does not have a solution in near sight, their hopes seem to be strong as they search for new

methods of religious and political freedom from neighboring countries and within their own

home state. Many religions and ethnic groups have faced oppression throughout history, and it

seems that during this era the Muslim faith is under constant attack by religious and political

powers. Many of these oppressive and violent acts against Muslims are centered on actions of

smaller insurgent groups rather than the entire religion itself, but those repercussions have

spread to even gentler communities like the Rohingya. In our tumultuously strewn world it can

be difficult to find peace, but the continued devotion of the Rohingya is an astounding example

of how to live a life devoted to the beliefs that hold them together.
 Johnson 6

Works Cited

Al Jazeera. “Who Are the Rohingya?” Myanmar | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 18 Apr. 2018,

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/08/rohingya-muslims-170831065142812.html.

Deutsche Welle. “Rohingya People in Myanmar: What You Need to Know: DW: 12.09.2017.” DW.COM,

https://www.dw.com/en/rohingya-people-in-myanmar-what-you-need-to-know/a-40340067.

Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions. Pearson, 2017.

Person. “Who Are the Rohingya Muslims and What's Going on in Burma?” BelfastTelegraph.co.uk,

BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, 8 Sept. 2017, https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/viral/who-are-the-

rohingya-muslims-and-whats-going-on-in-burma-36112793.html.