Members of technologically simple societies, Durkheim explained, do this with the totem, an object in the natural world collectively defined as sacred. The totem-perhaps an animal or an elaborate work of art- becomes the centerpiece of ritual, symbolizing the power of society to transform individuals into a powerful collectivity. In all its forms, Durkheim pointed out three major functions of religion for the operation of society:

1. Social cohesion. Religion unites people through shared symbols, values and norms. Religious doctrine and rituals establish rules of “fair play” that make organized social life possible. In this regard, religious life emphasizes both our moral and emotional ties to others
2. Social control. Every society uses religious imagery and rhetoric to promote conformity. Societies infuse many cultural norms-especially mores relating to marriage and reproduction-with religious justification. Looking beyond behavioral norms, religion confers legitimacy on the political system. In medieval Europe, in fact, monarchs claimed to rule by divine right. Few of today’s political leaders invoke religion so explicitly, but many publicly as for God’s blessing, to imply audiences that their efforts are right and just.
3. Providing meaning and purpose. Religious beliefs offer the comforting sense that the vulnerable human condition serves some greater purpose. Strengthened by such convictions, people are less likely to collapse in despair when confronted by life’s distress. For this reason, major lifecourse transitions-including birth, marriage and death- are usually marked by religious observances that enhance our spiritual awareness.

As also understood from the information given, the correct answer is B. The concepts in the options I, II and III are the concepts associated with the functionalist theory on religion. Other concepts in the options IV and V are as follows:

Alienation is a sense that our own abilities as human beings are taken over by other entities. The term was originally used by Marx to refer to the projection of human powers onto gods. Subsequently he used the term to refer to the loss of workers’ control over the nature and products of their labor

Weber’s interpretation of industrial society provides one of the earliest statements of the desacralization thesis. He claimed that industrial society is “characterized by rationalization and intellectualization and, above all, by the “disenchantment of the world”. The world is no longer charged with mystery and magic; the supernatural has been banished from society. The meanings and motives with direct action are now rational. Rational action involves a deliberate and precise calculation of the importance of alternative goals and the effectiveness of the various means for attaining chosen goals. For example, if an individual’s goal is to make money, s/he will coldly and carefully calculate the necessary initial investment and the costs involved in producing and marketing a commodity in the most economical way possible. His or her measurements will be objective: they will be based on factors that can be quantified and accurately measured. S/he will reject the means to reach that goal which cannot be proven to be effective. Rational action rejects the guidelines provided by emotion, tradition or religion. It is based on the cold, deliberate reason of the intellect, which demands that the rationale for action can only be based on the proven results.