When it comes to the study of religion, certain methods and protocols must be followed in order to analyze a tradition or practice from an objective point of view. This is why most researchers who study religion use the functionalist approach in order to look for a particular function that religion plays in society. A key element of this approach is methodological atheism, or distrust of supernatural claims. Furthermore, the functionalist approach breaks down religious claims into social functions and focuses on the purpose of a religion for the initiates who practice it. This approach involves asking questions such as: who is making a claim, on what and what objective it can serve for the society implementing this claim..