Interpretvists And Post Modernity Flashcards
Do interpretivists argue religion is a conservative force?
Berger and Kellner
Religion IS a conservative force
What is the Interpretivist belief in role of the religion
Plausibility Structure: helps explain and answer big questions?
Scared Canopy: brings harmony, reinforces shared universe of meaning, keeps society as stable
Feel at home: without feel anomie and homeless
Post Modernity key characteristics
Belief in death of meta narrative Cult of expert dead - flight deference Choice and diversity - pick & mix Individualism and reflexivity Relativism Globalisation Mass communications - internet/satellite Decline boundaries/identities - link differentiation Consumerism
Impact post modernity on flight from deference
Less likely to turn to church
Impact post modernity on globalisation
People exposed to a variety of cultures and belief systems - some write of ‘easternisation of religion’
How does individualism and reflexivity impact on religion
People free to create new individualised identities sometimes ‘virtual identities’
How does post modernity emphasis on consumerism impact on religion
Self-selecting consumers all week - we want choice in all areas of our life
What are the 2 contradictory trends that have developed as a result post modernity
Growth in New Age
Growth Fundamentalist
What is the New Age response
Fits in with post modern world Hybridity and choice Heelas identifies 2 strands: Expressive individualism Utilitarian individualism
What is expressive individualism
Search for god or goddess within, often rejecting materialism
What is utilitarianism individualism
Makes you a better person in market place/more successful manager
Outline fundamentalism
Kepel - growth since 1970s
Provides absolutes in choice of saturated world
What does late modernist Giddens argue
Globalisation: increase in choice and individualism leads increased reflexivity
People question certainties and experts - provide conflicting advice
Creates gap revival - searching for new meaning and identities
Evaluation of Giddens Late Modernity
Sounds almost functionalist with suggestion there is a spiritual need for religion
What does Bauman Post Modernity argue
Agrees Giddens: decline cult expert and traditional church believes a moral and ethical vacuum emerges - morality becomes privatised
Wants to create meaningful lives - ‘be somebody’ create moral identity, turn to religious leaders for help
Evaluation of Bauman
Beckford: if cult of the expert is dead why would they seek out religious leaders
What is Post Modernist Lyons key concept
Jesus in Disneyland
What 2 key changes does Lyons identify
Globalisation/Multiculturalism/Spread Computer Info
Religion moved outside
What does Lyon mean by Globalisation/Multiculturalism/Spread Computer Info
Identities no longer based on local community
Consumerism: people want to be able to do what they want with their time, bodies and Gods
What does Lyon mean by Religion has moved outside
Established churches moved to sphere of consumerism
Still want some aspects as ‘cultural resource’ dip in and out of
But do not need religion as a social institution
Example of Lyons Jesus in Disneyland
Harvest Day Crusade
Singers and artists at Disneyland, religion provided in ultimate post modern setting - blurring of religion and disney
What does Lyon argue on the trend of the past 4 decades
Growth in unconventional practices and spirituality
What does Hervieu-Leger Late modernity argue
Cultural amnesia
Greater equality: led to flight from deference
Consumerism: spiritual shoppers
We become either Pilgrims or Converts
Religion is no longer a source of collective identity
What does Hervieu-Leger mean by cultural amnesia
Modern society - no longer pass traditional religion on to children
No longer have fixed identities
Ignorant of traditional religion
