Beliefs - Religion in a Global Context - 5.4

Question 1

Fundamentalism

Answer 1

Appeal to tradition seek return to basics/fundamentals of their faith.

Question 2

Characteristics of Fundamentalism

Answer 2

> An authoritative sacred text
> Us & them mentality
> Aggressive reaction to threat
> Use of modern tech
> Patriarchy
> Conspiracy theories

Question 3

An authoritative sacred text - Characteristics of Fundamentalism

Answer 3

> Literal interpretation of religious texts as eternally having answer’s to life’s questions

> See biblical prophecies being fulfilled today & intolerant to alternative views

> Refusing to engage in debate.

Question 4

Davie - Us & Them Mentality

Answer 4

> Separateness from rest of world, unable to compromise

> Seek to create islands of certainty among perceived social & cultural chaos

Question 5

Aggressive Reaction to Threat - Characteristics of Fundamentalism

Answer 5

> Like to draw attention to threat of beliefs & values through aggressive action

> Directed by elders or clergy

Question 6

Use of Modern Technology - Characteristics of Fundamentalism

Answer 6

> Oppose modern society, but use modern technology to achieve aims

> e.g. televangelists, social media & military weaponry

Question 7

Patriarchy - Hawley

Answer 7

Want to control women’s reproductive powers & sexuality & biologically based gender roles fixed by god

Question 8

Prophecy - Characteristics of Fundamentalism

Answer 8

Believe final days will soon be upon us & second coming of christ & final defeat of Satan & Armageddon.

Question 9

Conspiracy Theories - Characteristics of Fundamentalism

Answer 9

Islamic/Christian groups have anti-semitic views believing Jews are conspiring to secure world domination.

Question 10

Fundamentalism, Modernity & Postmodernity (Key Studies)

Answer 10

> Davie (Fundamentalism & Modernity)

> Giddens (Fundamentalism & Modernity & Contrast with Cosmopolitanism)

> Bauman (Postmodernity & Fundamentalism)

> Castells (two Responses to Modernity)

Question 11

Davie (Fundamentalism & Modernity)

Answer 11

> Only occurs when traditional beliefs threatened by modernity

> Also products of modernity, threat may be from outside

> e.g. globalisation or within e.g. liberal attitudes to gender

Question 12

Fundamentalism & Modernity - Giddens

Answer 12

> Due to globalisation, undermining traditional norms concerning family diversity, sexuality & abortion etc.

> Fundamentalism offers protection from risky & uncertain world.

Question 13

Fundamentalism & Contrast with Cosmopolitanism - Giddens

Answer 13

> Cosmopolitanism is a way of thinking embracing modernity - open to alternative views, it modifies beliefs based on new ideas.

> Life personal choice, not god focused, focused on self-improvement.

Question 14

Bauman - Postmodernity & Fundamentalism

Answer 14

> Autonomy can cause uncertainty & increased awareness of risk undermining tradition.

> Some embrace freedom, but some attracted to truth & certainty of fundamentalism.

Question 15

Castells - Two Responses to Modernity

Answer 15

> Resistance Identity

> Project Identity

Question 16

Resistant Identity - Castells

Answer 16

Defensive reaction by those feeling threatened & retreat to fundamentalism

Question 17

Project Identity - Castells

Answer 17

Forward thinkers engage with movements e.g. feminism & environmentalism.

Question 18

A03 of Bauman, Giddens & Castells (Key Studies)

Answer 18

> Beckford

> Haynes

Question 19

Beckford - Criticisms of Giddens, Bauman & Castells

Answer 19

> Too focused on fundamentalism & ignore impact of globalisation on catholicism.

> Ignore hybrid movements & doesn’t consider return to tradition as reflexive rather than defensive.

Question 20

Davie - Secular Fundamentalism (1st Phase, 18c-1960’s)

Answer 20

> Enlightenment philosophers had optimistic secular belief in progress based on rationality.

> Secualrised all areas of life & undermining religious certainties.

> Led to Fundamentalism

Question 21

Davie - Secular Fundamentalism (2nd Phase, 1970-)

Answer 21

> Enlightenment project attacked due to increasing uncertainty of globalisation

> Secular ideologies e.g. liberalism & Marxism attacked

> So people are increasingly attracted to anti-religious sentiment & increasing nationalism e.g. France made it illegal to wear hijab

Question 22

Ansell - Implications of Secular Fundamentalism

Answer 22

> Sees trends as form of cultural racism uses ideas of equality & integration

> But more about legitimating exclusion of religion or cultural minorities.

Question 23

Huntington - Clash of Civilisations

Answer 23

> Nation-states insignificant as source of identity creating gap filled by religion

> Globalisation results in increasing contact with civilisations led to conflict with an us & them mentality - with competition between civilisations for economic/military power.

> Religious differences harder to resolve compared to political differences, as they’re deeply rooted in history & culture.

> West under threat from Islam, needs to reassert Christanity to win.

Question 24

Examples of Civilisations outlined by Huntington

Answer 24

> Western
Islamic
Hindu
Latin American

Question 25

A03 Criticisms of Huntington (Key Studies)

Answer 25

> Jackson
Casanova
Armstrong

Question 26

Jackson - Criticisms of Huntington

Answer 26

Form of Orientalism e.g. Western ideology stereotyping eastern religions as untrustworthy to justify human rights abuses.

Question 27

Casanova - Criticisms of Huntington

Answer 27

Huntington ignores divisions in civilisations e.g. Sunni & Shia Islam

Question 28

Armstrong - Criticisms of Huntington

Answer 28

Hostility against the West isn’t due to fundamentalist Islam, but reaction to the West’s support of Israel & aggressive treatment of Palestinians/ wars in the Middle East.

Question 29

Real Clash of Civilisations - World Values Survey

Answer 29

> Issue dividing West from the Muslim world, not about democracy but sexuality

> Increased differences in attitudes to divorce, abortion & LGBT

Question 30

Define Cultural Defence

Answer 30

> Religion unites community against an external threat e.g Poland & Iran

> Shows how religion can be used to defend national identity against domination by an external power

Question 31

Bruce - Poland as an example of Cultural Defence

Answer 31

> Communist rule imposed by Soviet Union , so church was suppressed

> Still embodying national identity & rallying point against communism

> Church actively supported solidarity free Trade Union movement leading to fall of communism.

Question 32

Bruce - Iran as example of Cultural Defence

Answer 32

> Western capitalist powers had long influence, bringing, pro-western regime headed by Shah

> Later aiming for rapid modernisation & westernisation, but Islam was form of resistance

> Revolution meant creation of Islamic Republic - clergy had state power & imposed Sharia Law.

Question 33

Religion & Development (Key Studies)

Answer 33

> Nanda (God & Globalisation in India, Hinduism & Consumerism & Ultra Nationalism)

> Nanda (Rejection of Poverty & Existential Security for increased religiosity)

> Berger (Pentecostalism in LA)

> Lehmann (Pentecostalism, Global & Local)

Question 34

God & Globalisation in India - Nanda

Answer 34

> Globalisation created urban educated middle class, working in jobs closely linked to economic growth - predicted to be the first people to abandon religion

> But the middle class still believe in the supernatural resulting in increased religious tourism e.g. temples - it is fashionable to be religious

> Middle class are more attracted to gods worshipped by working class, as they’re seen more responsive to people’s needs

Question 35

Nanda - Rejection of Poverty & Existential Security for increased religiosity

Answer 35

> Can’t be reason as middle class aren’t poor, religiosity isn’t a defence reaction to westernisation

> Middle class in India are optimistic about chances globalisation brings

Question 36

Hinduism & Consumerism - Nanda

Answer 36

> Tele-gurus changed view of wealth, not sinful to be rich but a sign of divine favour.

> Using business-friendly version of Hinduism, accepting materialism

> Consumerism can be spiritually balanced - paying for extravagant rituals, modern version of Hinduism legitimates position of the middle class

Question 37

Hindu-Ultra Nationalism - Nanda

Answer 37

> Believe culture is superior to others, media promotes view success in global market due to this

> Worship of gods now create a worshipping nation, hinduism now a civil religion

> Also penetrated public life, Hindu sciences e.g. astrology to predict natural disasters

Question 38

Capitalism in East Asia

Answer 38

> Tiger economies e.g. Korea & Singapore - now industrialised, big forces in global economy as well as China

> Spirit of capitalism in Chinese as Confucianism encourage hard work, discipline & self-improvement

> Similar to protestant work ethic as it creates economic productivity & gain of capital.

Question 39

Berger - Pentecostalism in Latin America

Answer 39

> Had similar impact to Calvinism in EU, encourages people to better themselves work their way out of poverty not waiting for salvation

> Thus improves inspiring followers to adopt a dedicated work ethic

> e.g. Brazil & Chile have pentecostalist middle class leading capitalist development

Question 40

Lehmann - Pentecostalism: Global & Local

Answer 40

> Successful global religion due to ability to incorporate local beliefs

> Whilst giving people access to greater power e.g Holy Spirit, creating new local religious forms, not replacing existing beliefs

> e.g. Africa & Africanisation of Christianity whilst maintaining indigenous religions

Question 41

Fundamentalism developing in the West (Bruce)

Answer 41

> Countries becoming too pluralistic and consumerist and therefore losing values.

> Becoming too tolerant of others

> Bring the country back to God

Question 42

Fundamentalism developing in the 3rd world

Answer 42

Iranian Revolution

Western countries trying to impose their norms and values and this is resisted by the host nation through fundamentalism