Beliefs in Society Flashcards
(7 cards)
What does Emile Durkheim say religion creates?
Functionalist who said religion creates social solidarity and collective conscience; studied totemism in Aboriginal clans.
Durkheim emphasized the role of religion in unifying society.
What did Karl Marx claim about religion?
Claimed religion is the ‘opium of the people,’ masking exploitation and acting as an ideological tool to maintain class inequality.
Marx viewed religion as a means to distract the oppressed from their suffering.
What did Max Weber argue regarding Calvinist beliefs?
Argued Calvinist beliefs led to the ‘Protestant work ethic,’ which contributed to the rise of capitalism in the West.
Weber linked religious ideas to economic behavior.
What is Steve Bruce’s view on secularisation?
Argued secularisation is happening due to pluralism, rationalisation, and technological worldviews; also studied religious fundamentalism.
Bruce suggests that modern society’s complexity leads to decreased religious influence.
What does Grace Davie mean by ‘believe without belonging’?
Suggested people now ‘believe without belonging,’ with religion becoming more private and less institutionally attended.
Davie highlights a shift in how individuals engage with religion.
What is Religious Market Theory?
Developed by Stark and Bainbridge — argued religion thrives in competitive spiritual markets and never truly declines.
This theory contrasts with the idea that secularisation leads to a decline in religious belief.
What did Nanda find about religiosity in India?
Found rising religiosity among India’s middle class, showing that religion can thrive in modern economies.
Nanda’s research indicates a complex relationship between modernity and religious practice.
