exam 2 Flashcards
(93 cards)
1
Q
chapter five: the dynamics of religious collectives
A
2
Q
organizational forms of religious expression
A
level of commitment
degree of authority
-> level of rigidity
-> degree of tension with society
all religious organizations change over time. –by degree
- e.g. Catholicism
de-centralization of hell.
- e.g. modified/radically changed approach to same-sex relationships, different “races” etc.(numerous
religions)
3
Q
historical overview; Max Weber
A
Max Weber (1864 - 1920)
2 basic stances
1) church embraces society/accepts the masses.
2) sects
set themselves apart from society (exist in tension/conflict).
–potential to create social change.
–depends on organization of followers.
4
Q
historical overview; Ernst Troeltsch (1865 0 1923)
A
expanded Weber’s ideas.
–interested in comparing historical developments.
3 stances
1) church
– conserving of the social order/interests of the dominant classes.
–accommodates secular world
–membership -> the masses (but also others).
–born into church .
2) sects
–may act in a hostile manner.
–exclusive
subordinate classes
–sect membership is voluntary
3) mysticism
–modern religion (orig. German Lutheran mysticism)
–radical religious individualism. (crisis in Christianity)
–resistant to centralized authority, dogma etc.
–less likely to effect social change.
5
Q
current church-sect typologies
A
- fluid in nature
- religious affiliation exists on a continuum of collective stances / orientations
- stance - relationship with society
- orientation - role of members; self perceptions etc.
6
Q
churchly stance / orientation
A
mostly positive relationship with society.
supports status quo.
-> esp. if favourable to church.
–some tension with other social institutions
* e.g. education, science, media etc.
–often do not recognize legitimacy of other religious claims.
-> ignore/suppress/co-opt them.
7
Q
denominational stance / orientation
A
–positive relationship with society.
–highly accepting of legitimacy claims of other religions.
–often progressive.
–no goals to dominate society.
–view religious pluralism as positive.
–many Christian & Jewish groups in North America/Europe /Australia
-> e.g United Church
8
Q
sectarian stance / orientation
A
–self-identify as uniquely legitimate.
–renewal of ‘true’ version of faith.
–self-assigned prophet/leader.
-> claims to new, ongoing revelations/visions.
-> tension with mainstream Christianity
–first generation chose the sect; second generation born into it.
–negative relationship with society.
–high tension.
often highly critical of it
e.g. mainstream society as evil/sinful.
high levels of commitment.
* distancing from non-believers.
* some restrictions on “worldly” contact.
* conservative norms/values.
* social sanctions for those who leave.
E.G. Jewish Hassidism. Seventh day Adventists, Mormonism
9
Q
cultic stance / orientation
A
–describes organizational form of much non-official religion.
–eclectic religious expression.
–can emerge independently.
–accept legitimacy claims of other religions.
– but, negative relationship with society.
–disdainful of society.
-> shallowness.
-> obstructs individual’s path to enlightenment.
e.g. Rajneeshes, Peoples Temple, Heaven’s Gate, Scientology, Raelians.
10
Q
Rodney Stark and William Bainbridge
A
3 types of cult
1) audience cults
– operate around consumer membership
–no formal organization.
–consume doctrine via mass media—T.V, internet, magazines, books etc.
–courses
–little tension with society.
e.g. Breatharianism.
many New Ageorganizations
e.g. J. Z. Knight (Ramtha)
2) client cults
–patient-therapist like relationship.
–focus on personal adjustment /therapeutic interventions.
–organized around service providers.
– may involve high cost
e.g. Scientology, EST/Landmark.
3) cult movements
–full commitment to the group.
–charismatic leader.
–high control.
–often world rejecting.
e.g. Aum Shinryko, Heaven’s Gate, Raelians.
11
Q
oct 25 notes
A
case study: Government, Religious Rights, and Healthcare Rights: When Worlds Collide
12
Q
what constitutes acceptable healthcare?
A
Both biomedical approaches to healthcare and the legal system shape the
decisions that are made about what constitutes acceptable healthcare in society.
13
Q
(ufo religions)
A
reading —>
UFO RELIGIONS
Reading If We Made Contact With Aliens How Would Religions React?
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20161215-if-we-made-contact-with-aliens-how- would-religions-react
14
Q
ufo religion
A
people often think of them as crazy people / fantasy world / comical / demonic nature
but if u are a member of Ufro religion, that is ur faith
u take that belief system or worldview very seriously (as serious as who are part of sect groups / denomination / church)
there is subjectivity when we look at faith / belief and religion
15
Q
linkages
A
religion (for them the extraterrestrial are the GODS)
abduction narratives (ppl who fclaim whove had abduction)
contactee narratives (claimed thaqt they had been contacted with an extraterrestrial )
UFO sightings (question is it rlly driven by an extraterrestrial?)
science (
16
Q
examples of UFO religions
A
- Ashtar Command
- Heaven’s Gate
*Raelians - Solar Temple and many more
17
Q
contemporary UFOLOGY; ww11
A
history:
> WW11 foo fighters (many pilots identified objects that they were not able to label)
* ball lightning?
* electromagnetic phenomena?
* enemy weaponry?
* alien craft
18
Q
contemporary ufology; 1947 Kenneth Arnold
A
sighting at Mt Ranier
* responsible for the “flying saucer” concept
19
Q
contemporary UFOLOGY; Roswell, New Mexico 1947
A
a few weeks later…
- crash site at 75 miles north
- what crashed??
- farmer found it and he didn’t recognize the materials/said it was an unidentifiable object
- Roswell has became a “sacred site”
- implicitly religious behaviour: pilgrimages, creation of symbolism etc.
- the sacralization of the extraterrestrial
20
Q
contemporary UFOLOGY; Area 51 Nevada
A
- definitely top secret -> use is “undetermined” -> why?
- immense cultural impact
- people think theres 13 floors underground and Roswell was there
- no president ever mentioned area 51 but barrack obama finally mentioned it
21
Q
artherius society /
A
- founded by George King 1950s
- claimed contact with Master Atherius and other cosmic masters (e.g Buddha, Sri Krishna. Jesus)
- intergalactic parliament
- Operation Prayer Power, the weekly ritual where members charge a “spiritual battery” with “prayer energy”
the power of prayer:
- this is not uncommon / many religions use the power of prayer
- they look for the same outcomes
- channeling
- context and setting is just different
22
Q
popular approach to UFOlogy an UFO religions
A
- fascinating
- fun but not real
- absurd
- mocking etc.
23
Q
contemporary UFOLOGY; Betty and Barney Hill abduction (1961)
A
- influence on other sightings / abduction claims
- plethora of cross-cultural UFO speculations and claims
- some claims of alien experiences may lead to implicitly or explicitly religious beliefs / worldviews
ex: Rael (claude vorilhon) ->
- becomes a spiritual experience / but some take it further
- alien contactee experiences parallel divine revelation
- divine revelation is connected to churches than ufo or cults
24
Q
influences on ufo religions;
1) theosophical influences
A
theosophical Society (est 1875): search for ‘truth’
* influenced by occultism/Eastern Philosophy
the society seeks to:
- create universal brotherhood of humanity (bring everyone together in peace and harmony)
- examine unexpelianed laws of nature and the powers latent in humans
- discuss the known and the unknown
–
Theosophists believe that humanity’s evolution on Earth is part of a larger cosmic evolution.
* this evolution overseen by ascended masters/hidden adepts
* e.g. Jesus, Buddha, etc (live on Venus)
* channelled messages
– the masters:
* ARE SUPREME MORAL / SPIRITUAL GUIDES
* have a deep concern for humanity
* have superior knowledge of science / technology
–
Post 1947, the Venusian masters are linked to UFOs
but, the science of venus
* shrouded in sulphuric acid
* surface temp of 480c
* theosophist response?
Blavatsky and others claim to channel their wisdom. Post 1947 the Venusian masters are linked to UFOs
> Main influence on UFO religions
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2) physicalist influences
Influences on the physicalist approach
Erich Von Daniken (1935- )
Zecharia Sitchin (1920-2010)
von Daniken /Sitchen both identify alien influence as extending back to origins of humanity.
UFO religions and ufologists...
> physicalist UFO religions:
* strong synthesis of science and religion.
* operating technology is spiritual work.
* aliens spiritually superior because they are scientifically more advanced.
26
artherius society /
* founded by George King 1950s
* claimed contact with Master Atherius and other cosmic masters (e.g Buddha, Sri Krishna. Jesus)
* intergalactic parliament
27
popular approach to UFOlogy an UFO religions
* fascinating
* fun but not real
* absurd
* mocking etc.
28
november 01
missed class - ask for notes
nov 03 - cancelled class
29
nov 15
---
30
vid: rael on late late show (on youtube)
* leader of Raelians
* claims that his father was an alien
* founded on science
* doesn't believe in god because the extraterrestrial are the creators
* they have an actual legitimate scientist
-- the late, late show
* dynamic of the interview: seems like a joke to the audience and interviewer / seems intentional/humiliating circumstances (how does he respond to it? Rael is very kind/graceful) he responds with grace
- he says you wouldn't treat other religious figures in this way
- was called a fruitcake/crackers
- completely dismissive of everything he says / he is dismissed as a person with his own belief systems / no one is taking him seriously
why does this happen?
- unofficial religion (55k)
- illegitimate
31
vid: the world's highest-ranking alien believer
- Paul Hellyer
* minister of defense (late 60s) / politician / engineer
* leader of UFO religion who is completely delegitimized/dismissed
* disclosure- government admits that they know about this / ppl who believed this says that the government is not engaging in full disclosure
* not necessarily more credible
* must believe in a god that you can't see. if you claim to see it then you are deemed crazy / liar
* Helleyer must see it (deligitimized)
* less credible because he only started believing it after he had read about it
32
commonalities beteween the UFO religions and mainstream religions
similarities:
* mythologies
* cosmologies
* rituals
* belief in otherworldly entities
* leader/prophet
* places of worship
* followers
* detractors
* creation story
* end time scenario
* salvation
* larger / greater purpose
* ways to recruit
* belief systems
* loving / peaceful creator
* trendy/online activism
* written scriptures
* ideology
* power (Raelians don't usually have political power, but they have the power within the religion)
* attribution (error)?
* symbols
33
differences between UFO religions and mainstream religions
* political/social acceptance
* legitimacy
* historical significant
* physical entity as creator (aliens vs God)
* nonofficial religion vs official religion
* science vs religion (empirical rather than supernatural)
* more power and support than UFO religions
* no major public figure supporting
* power dynamic is different
* significance
church -> denomination -> sect -> cults -> ufo religions
----^----------------^------------^-------^-------^
* the older that religion is , the more legitimacy it has
* the newwer the religion is, the more scrutinity there is
34
conclusion:
more similarities than differences
all religions have provision of meaning or order / provision of purpose / community / social stability (core of the religion - all of it are present)
35
chapter six: religion, social cohesion and conflict
-- reading pp 195-214
36
strong religious group cohesion at one level may create??
strong religious group cohesion at one level may create conflict at another. →with larger society.
* typically more prominent (evident) in sectarian/cultic movements.
* group bonds, shared belief, experiences etc., foster an ‘us/them’ dichotomy
notes:
- cohesion can be positive for those group but there can be that conflict with other groups or larger society
- no religion is entirely homogenous bcos there's human subjectivity in play
- not all adherence of a particular faith is in agreement over the formalized position of their faith (there is disagreement / debate in every faith)
e.g. Canadian Doukhobors/Sons of Freedom (Russian sect)
--refused to swear oath of (the granting of homestead titles were refused and cancelled) -> they were stranded
-- 6,000 Doukhobors in southern BC (BC required commitment from them too)
--pacifists
--resistance to schooling
--burned schools and nude protests
a great example of deep social cohesion but also engaging in acts of violence
- example of how it can bring about conflict in society
-
37
but it is also evident in??
but also evident in mainstream/traditional religions.
e.g. opposition to same sex marriage, abortion, end of life rights, contraception, sex
education, some science (e.g. evolutionary theory, stem cell research) etc.
* not universal though (e.g. Catholics for Choice)
38
(religion and social cohesion)
cohesion is a central issue in sociology
→makes society possible
39
1) religion in homogenous societies
(pre-industrial and theocratic)
* social integration and unity in social groups.
* religion is a taken for granted part of life
* shared values, meanings, norms, morals.
* promotion of selflessness.
* maintenance of stability.
* centrality of community activity.
* clear rewards/punishments.
* effective social control.
theocratic society ->
note that religion is not truly homogenous because people are subjective / there will be descent within some members / never ever 100% homogeneity
40
1) religion in homogenous societies / durkheim
wherever social cohesion exists, it is expressed religiously.
- communities will always create spiritual religious dimension of the group and will be used as an explanatory and meaning system / to strenghten community and bind members more strongly
* religious beliefs are COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIONS that express MORAL nature of the group.
religion is a METAPHOR for society. (one of his famous claims)
→embodies SOCIAL BELIEFS. (that are reveloped wiyhin the group and so it represents the group)
but for durkheim
→God exists as a SOCIAL ABSTRACTION. (which is why there is no tangible God for every religion)
-> god is beyond human understanding
41
2) complex/ pluralistic societies
in U.S. or Canada
U.S./Canada
* co-existence/competition/syncretism.
* immigration →assimilation (in the US -> melting pot ) /multiculturalism (in Canada -> not expected to give up ur cultural identity)
→ethno-religious ties.
→religious identity is often complex
* dominance of Protestantism, Catholicism, secularism and individualism.
→where does solidarity come from?
→how is religion now linked to nation?
42
(civil religion)
Robert Bellah (1967) Civil Religion in America
- he worked on this concept as a way to unite different peoples
> civil religion (
beliefs/rituals related to past/present/ future of a people/nation which are understood transcendentally (there's this elevation)
in civil religion...
→“America” as sacred ideal (America is the religion)
→institutionalized.
→symbolically expressed in founding documents, presidential inaugural addresses etc.
→transcends the nation and pluralities therein.
→expresses cohesion of the nation rather than differences. (the goal of civil religion)
→civil religion permeates public sphere, unifies diverse range of peoples (and beliefs)
43
components of civil religion in the United States
1) civil ceremonies
-have a distinctly religious quality.
-celebrate national values and unity.
e.g. fourth of July, Memorial Day
2. special places
--locations held sacred.
--pilgrimages made.
e.g. birthplaces of key presidents, war memorial, Lincoln memorial, Washington D.C.
in its entirety.
3) particular objects
--held sacred
e.g. American flag
→the desecration of it engenders outrage.
4) myths
the American Dream, land of plenty, of unlimited social mobility etc.
5) American heroes as saints
> key presidents
e.g. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Kennedy.
> folk heroes e.g. Davy Crockett
> military heroes e.g. Theodore Roosevelt (leader of “Rough Riders,” then president)
* these 5 componenets are parts the sacred realm of America.
* critically, civil religion can help heal the nation during times of crisis, conflict and war.
* symbolism is key.
* emotional appeal.
* hope.
44
is civil religion always unifying though? (can in always bring everyone together?)
2 strains of American civil religion
1) priestly version (we are more familiar with)
--celebrates the greatness of the nation/
--superiority/achievements.
--stirs up nationalism
--rationalizes intolerance
2) prophetic version.
--calls the nation’s attention to its offences against the idealizations for which it stands.
Civil religion in U.S.
* explains national unity in extremely heterogeneous society.
* connected to relative weakness of religion in public sphere.
→modernity/post modernity
BUT......
→is evangelical Christianity replacing civil religion?
George Bush foisted religion back into spotlight and this trend has only strengthened.
45
religion and social conflict; Karl Marx (1818-1883)
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
* no central text on religion
* Religion is a tool for class domination.
→dominant class imposes its ideas including religious ones. →religion suppresses dissent/encourages conformity.
→religious interests are linked to economic interests.
→official religion <-> governing power.
e.g. Catholic Church’s political control in Europe.
→focus on rewards in an alleged afterlife deflects attention away from misery, inequality etc. in this life.
*
"RELIGION IS THE OPIATE OF THE MASSES'
* his most famous quotes
→pacifies people into complacency.
→won’t question authority→STATUS QUO
→provision of comfort (religion comforted people so it could be a source of pleasure and sastisfaction)
→source of pleasure/satisfaction
contributes to "FALSE CONSCIOSUNESS"
-> asses believe they have shared interest with ruling class via shared religious beliefs.
→religion hinders social change.
46
types of conflict
1. conflict between religious groups
* emergence of us/them dichotomy; “good” vs. “evil”
* each claims the “truth.”
* inter-generational via socialization
* political dimensions
note:
politics/battles of ownership of territory. it's never just about the religion itself
2) conflict within a religious group
i. method of leadership/succession
→development of Sunni and Sh’ia Islam.
ii. splits over moral norms
→United Church & same sex marriage.
iii. challenges to beliefs
HERESY: beliefs/practices that challenge the established religious authority.
e.g. Spanish Inquisition 1400s -1834 (Catholic Church & Spanish monarchy)
3. conflict between religious group and larger society.
i. abstinence from/limitations on biomedical healthcare.
e.g. Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pentecostal, Scientology etc.
ii. reject/modify forms of scientific/intellectual knowledge. →downgraded as “only theories.”
→scientific discoveries as part of ‘God’s Plan’
iii. anti-abortion campaigns
--many religions.
--Catholic and Evangelical most publicly active.
iv. crusades against same sex marriage
LGBTQ+ rejected by many religions (but not all members).
United States
e.g. fundamentalist and evangelical Christian. e.g. Mormon. Prop 8 raised $25m (mostly Utah).
→first ever removal of rights in U.S. history (2008). Supreme court over ruled. (MORE COUNTRIES IN THE NEXT SLIDES)
v. schooling/education conflicts
e.g.-evolutionary theory.
- sex education.
47
iv. crusades against same sex marriage
elsewhere-- immense of variety of approaches within PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS
e.g. Uganda: Anti-Homosexual Act 2014 (ruled invalid).
→same sex relationships, “un-Christian”
→proposed death penalty—changed to life in prison.
(enormous current U.S. evangelical influence; plus, legacy of colonialism)
> Catholicism
Vatican—homosexuality as “moral evil.”
→Pope Francis: “who am I to judge”
→Many liberal Catholics in U.S/Canada accepting.
→Nigeria: Catholic Bishops praised new legislation →same-sex relationships a crime (14 yrs prison).
> Orthodox Judaism
—prohibits same sex relationships.
→esp. same sex relations between males. (
Reform Judaism more accepting.
-Israel: same sex marriage not legal, but Israel legalized same-sex relationships in
1988.
Islam: same sex relationships typically not legally/socially accepted.
→some Muslim nations: legal, but, still subject to disapproval (private “honour” punishments )
→seen as sinful/a transgression (Quran/hadith).
→Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan & many other Muslim majority
nations carry death penalty.
→others, life in prison.
Australia’s first openly gay imam Nur Warsame
v. schooling/education conflicts
e.g.-evolutionary theory.
-sex education.
48
chapter seven: the impact of religion on social change
Reading: McGuire pp. 255-265 (from The Religious Group to the end of The Internal Structure of Religious Organizations and Movements)
OBJECTIVES
49
Max Weber
Max Weber (1864-1920)
* historian/economist/sociologist.
* not interested in defining religion.
* focused on meanings that people give to religious beliefs
influenced by Marx
-> but, thiught his perspective overly simplistic
-> Weber looked at intention and context of human actionm
-> religious interest over material interests
-> religion could foster social change
50
weber proposed
weber proposed
UNINTENDED CONSQUENCES that is, unforeseen outcomes of social processes
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905)
addresses why capitalism emerged in Europe when it did.
* presented religious factors as elective affinities →not simple cause and effect
→rather, religion plays a role (social).
→ also other influences such as development of steam power (technological)
51
weber focused on
weber focused on RELIGIOUS CHANGE and its relationship to the development of CAPITALISM (routinization of labour, calculated administration and regular investment of capital)
52
Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)
Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)
-> Luther attempts to reform the Catholic Church resulted in breaking from it
Martin Luther (Catholic monk)
-> disillusioned with malpractice in the faith
notes:
- he was aware that many people were buying their way to be in position
- he also questioned the Pope's authority and celibacy
and concepts of purgatory
53
Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)
Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)
-> Luther attempts to reform the Catholic Church resulted in breaking from it
Martin Luther (Catholic monk)
-> disillusioned with malpractice in the faith
notes:
- he was aware that many people were buying their way to be in position
- he also questioned the Pope's authority and celibacy
and concepts of purgatoryL
54
Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)
Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)
-> Luther attempts to reform the Catholic Church resulted in breaking from it
Martin Luther (Catholic monk)
-> disillusioned with malpractice in the faith
notes:
- he was aware that many people were buying their way to be in position
- he also questioned the Pope's authority and celibacy
and concepts of purgator
Ninety-Five Theses: point of contention
55
Luther proposed
* "sola fide" ("faith alone") to get into heaven
* thus, there is no need for priesthood
*Luther: occupations / vocations are important
-> through work one could glorify / give thanks to God
Protestants are called that beause of protestants (protests the cathoplic faith)
56
reformation
* many, varied groups
e.g. Lutherans, Calvinists, Quakers, Reformed Churches, Anabaptists (Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites etc).
* dissatisfaction but cannot be expressed due to being accused of heresy
57
Britain
* Calvinism (Swiss Origin) and Quakerism became popular
* Especially important in creating to foster social change
* John Calvin (1509-1564)
o Calvinism
o Characterization by sever teachings
o Predestination
o God has chosen who is dammed/ who shall go to heaven. -The 'elect'
o Nothing can do about it
58
John Calvin (1509 - 1564)
* Most Calvinists (who were Puritans) - extreme protestants
o Small shopkeepers, skilled workers, artisans, etc.
o Anxiety over their existence
o Melancholic people
* Calvinists started to look for signs that they were chosen
o Looked to success in business as a positive sign
* They valued hard work and time keeping (time wasting could be a sign of damnation)
* Outward signs of wealth were forbidden so they invest money back into business
o Lead to success
o Help to relieve their melancholic state and anxiety
59
Quakers (Society of Friends)
* ritual not important
* lack hierarchy and elaborate theology
* no churches
* lay [reachers (farmers etc) no formal theological training
* Direct communication with God
* God is knowable to all; there is something of God in all people (inner light)
* Lack of dogma around salvation/afterlife
* Popularized double book-keeping and fixed price policy
* Reinvestment -> business success
60
Protestant values (ethics) generally,
o Inner-worldly asceticism
o Hard work
o Valued sobriety and frugality
o No alcohol, entertainment or frivolous clothing etc. (self-denial)
o Focus on this world (no control of other)
61
reformation
o Religion as catalyst for social and economic change
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES:
o Capitalism and modernization
o Rational, systematic investment of time and resource – profit
o Work as calling
o Individualism
o Occurs in the west
62
(social change through religious leadership)
* Weber also identified that change could occur when religious leaders challenge current
religious/political/social conditions
Ideal types:
o Catholic monk
o Ascetic
63
prophet
a religious figure who confronts power and established ways of doing things
64
exemplary prophet
Challenges status quo by example ("do as I do")
e.g. Buddha
65
emissary prophets
Claim to have messages from God
How people should live
Messages may contradict written traditions
"do as I say"
New religious ideas, calls for change
e.g. Jesus and Mary
* Old testament prophets e.g. Moses
* Prophet Muhammad
More recently, Joseph Smith
66
Weber proposed three types of authority:
1. Traditional
a. Derives from long-established customs, habits and social structures. Power
passes from one generation to another
b. e.g. monarchies
2. Rational-legal
a. Authority based on formal rules and established laws of the state—usually
written down and are often very complex
b. Most modern democratic states
3. Charismatic (religious and political)
a. Authority based on " devotion to the exceptional sanctity, heroism, or exemplary
character of an individual person"
b. Charisma
i. Qualities that set an individual apart from others
ii. Endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least exceptional
powers or qualities
ii. Not typical
Weber's perspective is not focused on analyzing the personality of the charismatic leader,
but instead on the structure of the charismatic social relationship
o A collective body held together by an emotional bond with the leader
67
3 conditions for religious charismatic authority
1. Leader claims a divine base for his/her activities
2. Followers must accept divine claims
3. Group establishes a support system that uphold & validates claims
notes:
* Social validation is key
* Charisma terms to be anti-establishment/revolutionary
* Can be used positively and/or negatively
* Charismatic authority is unstable though
o May lose its potency
o May be lost after death
68
routinization of charisma
e.g. after death
o Becomes established as part of tradition
o May be diluted though
69
chapter seven notes not complete
----
70
chapter eight: religion in the modern world
--
71
the secularization thesis
secularization: historical processes in which religion has lost/is losing its central place in society
originated with Weber.
--1950s/60s: concept elaborated. --1970s: dominant theme esp. in Europe.
“disenchantment of the world” (Weber) →science replaces superstition.
→religion tries to accommodate scientific discoveries. →erosion of doctrine.
---does modernization reduce/eliminate the influence of/need for religion?
72
the secularization thesis in north america and europe
North America
→church and synagogue attendance down. →religion less central to public and private life.
Europe
→steep decline in formal attendance.
→especially U.K./Scandinavia
→Sweden dis-established Lutheranism as state church (2000) but
→ complex set of social developments have
changed the nature of religion in society
73
several interconnected influences
1) institutional differentiation
2) societalization
3) privatization
4) decline in individual religious belief
5) rationalization
6) civil rights/human rights
74
i. institutional differentiation
i. institutional differentiation
→fragmentation of social life.
→specialization of roles/institutions etc.
→religion no longer central to all facets of life.
→loss of social control at societal level (defining deviance).
→now, criminal justice system.
some religions may attempt to enact religious social control measures.
75
ii. Societalization
ii. Societalization
→societal (not local) organization →loss of community influence due to mass media, corporations, political bureaucracies, sport etc.
→religion still important but competes with other institutions.
media especially important.
--access to national/international information.
--exposes bad behaviours/untruths.
--exposes religious threats to modern civil society.
-- “antidote” to the “opiate”
→often religious adherents avoid certain media.
→avoid counter information.
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iii privatization
→religion to private sphere.
→religion as individual matter.
→religion should not influence politics.
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iv decline in individual religious belief.
→role of pluralism
→premodern vs (post)modern societies.
→co-existing/competeing religious narratives→individuals may question faith.
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v. rationalization
→formal knowledge (medical sciences first) →rational science, business,economics, law etc.
→religion has to compete.
→higher rates of education => higher levels of rational thought/intelligence.
→move away from religion (especially conservative, narrowly moralistic forms)
--some religions in some contexts inhibit education (esp for girls).
e.g. IRAN 2012: banned women from 77 university courses.
FLDS, BC CANADA: Girls get limited, non-provincial education.
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vi. civil rights/human rights
bolition of slavery
suffrage movement
end of racial segregation
feminism
→religious beliefs involved in most forms of oppression (other institutions too though). generally, Now, we see different forms of religiosity.
e.g religious syncretism
overall decline in religious social control at a central level in modern democracies
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contemporary challenges
I Fundamentalism
II Church-State Tensions
what is fundamentalism?
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fundamentalism
FUNDAMENTALISM
20thC Protestant movement
→emphasized literal Bible reading.
→fundamental to Christian
life/teachings.
→adherence to literal readings and meanings.
12 volume set (U.S. 1910-1915):
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"The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth".
→claimed inerrancy of Bible
e.g. --creation account in Genesis.
→authored by leading evangelical churchmen. →shorter pamphlets circulated free of charge. →response to loss of influence.
→second wave of revivalism experienced in U.S.
→reach out to population.
also, ‘problem’ of sects (Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons,) Fundamentalists
→protect Protestantism in U.S.
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science
esp.Darwinian theory.
--threats from scientific discovery.
--rejection (rather than incorporation) of them. then...
1920: Curtis Lee Laws (journalist & Baptist layman). →appropriated 'fundamentalist'
→those ready "to do battle royal for the Fundamentals."
has come to refer to
→any religious movement that disassociates from larger group that it claims has
become impure/corrupt/weak.
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THE FUNDAMENTALISMS PROJECT
basic themes of fundamentalism
1. react against secularization and modernity (very selective though).
2.religious texts inerrant and timeless.
3. strive to return society to "Golden Era” of the past.
4. religious idealism as basis for personal /communal identity.
5. demonize opposition and are reactionary.
6. often messianic/apocalyptic.
7. selective in what parts of their tradition and heritage they stress. 8.male led.
9.mandated behavioral requirements.
10.may try to overthrow power.
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Protestant Fundamentalism in U.S.
NTI-EVOLUTION CRUSADE.
-emerges in 1920s.
-science as a challenge to creationism.
-Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of the Species published 1859 in England. -Darwin already a prominent scientist, so his research was taken seriously. -Problematic for the Church of England.
-Darwin’s research studied and upheld.
--religious reaction: ‘natural theology’ attempted to bridge evolutionary theory with a literal reading of the Bible.
-Darwin’s position on religion evolved from theist to agnostic.
--strong religious upbringing.
--ministerial degree from Oxford.
--found the idea of a ‘designer’ inconsistent with his scientific findings. --eventually, cut ties with Church of England.
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darwin's 1876 autobiography
“I was very unwilling to give up my belief...disbelief crept over me at a very slow rate, but was at last complete. The rate was so slow that I felt no distress, and have never since doubted even for a single second that my conclusion was correct.”
Catholic response→mixed but open to incorporating Darwin’s theories.
→1950s officially deemed compatible. Catholics less inclined to literal Biblical reading
of Genesis.
--Until late 19thC creationism taught in majority of U.S. schools.
--Darwin’s work and that of subsequent scientists moved beyond Britain.
→U.S. had to “deal with” Darwin.
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1925 Scopes Trial (tennessee)
teacher John Scopes unlawfully taught evolution (in breach of Butler Act).
→trial →found guilty
→overturned on technicality
→national attention.
→pitted modernist mainline Protestants against fundamentalists.
→many states moved to ban evolutionary theory.
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1958 National Defense of Education Act
→U.S. science education behind many nations including Soviet Union.
→bolstered science funding in schools.
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1960s
‘Creationist science’ movement
-religious beliefs using the language of science to undermine evolutionary theory.
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1980s
Phillip E. Johnson, Darwin on Trial→
Intelligent Design Movement.
→life created by intelligent designer.
→life so complex, it must have an originator.
→incorporates God with his version of science.
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1999 Kansas State Board of Education
--banned teaching of evolutionary theory (later overturned).
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2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover Area District School
goal to establish creationism under the banner of intelligent design as science. judge→intelligent design is a religious belief not a scientific one.
---teaching of intelligent design violates the U.S. constitution
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--Fundamentalism 21st century style...
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