Malinowski, Parsons and Bellah

As far as I am aware it is only Bellah that explains the civil religion theory as he is a neo-functionalist he takes Durkheims and Parsons stance on religion however neo-functionalism is more recent than traditional functionalism. Bellah sees civil religion as acting as a conservative force in modern society. Civil religion differs from religion in the way that it binds together people of different faiths, not just one faith. However civil religion and religion both reinforce a collective consciousness. Civil religion blends faith and patriotism, an example being how American children will swear alliance every morning to God and the American flag. Although as wordy as this is I hope it helps, I find beliefs in society the most difficult module,simply because I'm not in touch with religion haha.