beliefs: religion and social change

Question 1

what are the two roles of religion

Answer 1

• conservative force
• force for social change

Question 2

explain the conservative force

Answer 2

(conservative means keeping things the way they are.) These sociologists see religion as a force for stability and order. They may well favour a functionalist or a Marxist point of view

Question 3

explain the force of social change

Answer 3

supporters of this position point to the role of religion in encouraging societies to change. They may well be influenced by the writings of Max Weber

Question 4

two ways religion is seen as a conservative force

Answer 4

• It upholds traditional beliefs about how society should be organised. Defending traditional customs, institutions, moral views, roles etc.
• It stabilises society and maintains the status quo. It functions to conserve or preserve things as they are.

Question 5

what do functionalist believe is the role of religion

Answer 5

solidarity and integration

Question 6

what do marxists believe is the function of religion

Answer 6

to dull the pain of exploitation

Question 7

what do feminists believe is the function of religion

Answer 7

to spread patriarchy

Question 8

how does functionalism view religion as a conservative force

Answer 8

By creating value consensus, thus reducing the likelihood of society collapsing through individuals pursuing their own selfish in interests at the expense of others. It also helps individuals to deal with stresses that would otherwise disrupt the life of society

Question 9

how does marxism view religion as a conservative force

Answer 9

Religion is an ideology that justifies and/or disguising exploitation and inequality, it creates false consciousness in the w/c and prevents revolution, thereby maintaining social control and the stability of capitalist society.

Question 10

how does feminism view religion as a conservative force

Answer 10

Because religion legitimates (justifies) patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination in the family and wider society. Through sacred texts, religious organisations, rules and customs.

Question 11

Weber: how does calvinism link to capitalism

Answer 11

the development of Calvinism (protestant religion)
was highly influential in creating modern capitalism
one of the causes that made capitalism possible is
based on ‘the protestant ethic’ > the spirit of capitalism is similar to Calvinist belief’s.

Question 12

what are the 4 distinct calvinist beliefs

Answer 12

• Predestination
• Divine transcendence
• Asceticism
• The value of work

Question 13

define predestination

Answer 13

Calvin preached that God had already decided who would enter the kingdom of heaven before birth and that his decision was unchangeable this gives individual salvation anxiety. Those who were chosen were to be known as ‘the elect’.

Question 14

define divine transcendence

Answer 14

No individual would have the power to rival God and be able to predict his wishes. The only source of information would be the bible itself. Even the priests within the Calvinist faith could not predict God’s will. This
combined with predestination created what Weber refers to as salvation panic.

Question 15

define asceticism

Answer 15

Calvin preached that the followers of Calvinism should lead a life of abstinence, denying themselves all pleasures that could distract them from their devotion to their faith

Question 16

define value of work

Answer 16

Before calvinism individuals had a calling to serve God (e.g. monks) other-worldly asceticism. But Calvinist introduced this-worldly asceticism, > the only way to glorify God was to devote themselves to their work. Although this would not influence God’s decision on their experience in the afterlife, their devotion to hard work would honour him.

Question 17

explain how calvinism became capitalism

Answer 17

• followers were anxious about whether or not they were elect
• devoted themselves to work and became wealthy > saw wealth as a sign from God of being elect
• the difference between wealth of calvinists and others caused inequality
• capitalism came from ‘protestant work ethic’ which viewed pursuit of profit as a spiritual goal

Question 19

AO3: Weber

Answer 19

Weber argued that Calvinism was not the only cause of capitalism, but it was a large part of the process, along with economic and social developments.
* During the 16/17th centuries, other countries, such as India and China, were far more economically developed than Scotland:
Weber argues that although the social and economic development was there, the religious beliefs in China and India actually prevented capitalism emerging.

Question 20

AO3: hinduism

Answer 20

Hindu beliefs prevented the development of capitalism because it was an ascetic religion but its orientation was other-worldly: it encouraged its followers to be concerned with the spiritual world instead of the material one. > this discouraged people from the business-oriented behaviour that modern capitalism requires.

Confucian beliefs prevented the development of capitalism because like Calvinism, Confucianism was a this-worldly religion however it was not ascetic. This meant it was impossible to systematically accumulate wealth and re-invest back into businesses (necessary for modern capitalism).

Question 21

AO3: cricticisms of Weber

Answer 21

• Karl Kautsky argues Weber overestimates the role of ideas and underestimates economic factors in causing capitalism. This suggets capitalism preceded Calvinism, rather than followed Calvinism.
• Tawney, argues that Technological change, not religious ideas, caused capitalism. This is a problem for Weber because It means that religion is not a force for social change. According to Tawney, the role of capitalism is to maintain part of the ISA – legitimate the pursuit of economic gain in order to control the proletariat. > other religions were similar to Hinduism so suggests something extra (eg: technology) is needed for capitalism
• capitalism did’tn develop in every country that had calvinists > it cannot be the cause of capitalism

Question 22

how does Marshall explain that calvinism alone doesnt create capitalism

Answer 22

investment in capital and skilled labour is needed for capitalism
which supports Weber’s point that both material and cultural factors need to be present for capitalism to
emerge

Question 23

neo-marxism explanation of religion and social change

Answer 23

Bloch sees religion as an expression of ‘ the principle of hope’ > our dreams of a better life that contains image that can inspire protest and rebellion.
* the desire for a utopia helps people see what can be improved > religion creates an image of a better world
* when combined with political organisation and leadership > it leads to change

Question 24

explain the liberation theology (neo-marxist)

Answer 24

In South America, Catholic priests developed the liberation theology movement as a response to the failure of the Vatican to help its followers with the poverty and exploitation that they faced.

• took the side of the oppressed e.g. when dictatorships used murder squads/torture to hold power.
• helped poor communities fight oppression
• encouraged their followers to enforce change, even to use violence to overthrow the dictators e.g. dictator Somoza in Nicaragua.

Question 26

outline Maduro and Gramsci's view

Answer 26

* **see the church as a vessel for social change** in particular in countries where protests were banned by dictatorships. * The church was the only safe outlet for individuals frustrations. In addition, religious leaders can inspire and strive social change. > The religious leaders also were untouchable by the oppressive government as they were seen as sacred by their followers. * Maduro believed that **if people could be inspired by religious leaders they may begin a political movement that could influence positive social change**.

Question 27

what 2 case studies did Bruce use to study how religion leads to change

Answer 27

* civil rights movement * new christian right

Question 28

outline how religion helped the civil right movement cause social change

Answer 28

Martin Luther King aimed to reduce racial discrimination. Bruce argues that the black clergy were fundamental in assisting the civil rights movement * Gave **moral legitimacy** to the cause (e.g. God is on side with it so it must be right) * The black clergy also helped shame the whites by appealing to shared Christian values

Question 29

explain the 4 categories Bruce suggested lead to social change (apply to civil rights)

Answer 29

* **Taking the moral high ground**: pointing out hypocrisy – “love thy neighbour” * Channeling dissent: **provide ways to express political dissent** (e.g. funeral for MLK) * Acting as an **honest broker**: can be the negotiator between the two sides as respected by all * **Mobilising public opinion: campaign for support beyond the immediate area**

Question 30

explain the new christian right

Answer 30

it is a politically and morally conservative Protestant fundamentalist movement. The **NCR argued to criminalise abortion, homosexuality and divorce,** while encouraging “traditional” families and gender roles, turning the clock back to a “golden age” of purity. They spread their message through: * **Televangelism**: church-owned TV stations that preach the gospel * **Pressure groups**: lobby the government for certain laws * **Social media** (more recently): Twitter, FB, etc

Question 31

why does Bruce think the new christian right didn't bring about social change

Answer 31

* **Difficult to cooperate** with other religious groups * Lacked widespread public support/ **negative tone of the message** * Generally, Americans are comfortable with legalising activities they see as immoral (e.g. abortion, gay marriage, pornography)

Question 32

AO2: what is the Westboro baptist church known for

Answer 32

an American church known for its **use of inflammatory hate speech** for example: * god hates f*gs * planes crash god laughs