postmodernist approaches on religion

Question 1

what is the postmodern view on religion ?

Answer 1

postmodernists do not place as much importance on religion itself but aims to understand that society has gone through changes that effect the way religion is practiced

Question 2

what do postmodernists argue that we have entered?

Answer 2

postmodernity which has been characterised by

• individualisation
• globalisation
• secularisation
• loss of faith in science

Question 3

what is the aim of postmodernists and their views on religion?

Answer 3

the impact on societal changes that have changed the way religion is practiced

Question 4

what are some changes that have undergone in the postmodern era

Answer 4

• religious diversity and pluralism has increased and traditional religion has declined
• no longer functions to provide social solidarity because religion has changed so much
• religion is based on consumerism which means that religion is a commodity and we are spiritual shoppers

Question 5

name the three key thinkers

Answer 5

• hervieu leger
• lyon
• bauman

Question 6

what is hervieu - leger view on religion

Answer 6

she believes that religious participation has changed in the postmodern era , she argues that we have seen a decline in traditional religious institutions that have socialised people intop religious beliefs
- argues religion is a choice not apart of a fixed identity

• uses the term spiritual shoppers

-

Question 7

who uses the term spiritual shoppers? describe what is meant by the this

Answer 7

spiritual shoppers is a term used by hervieu leger which means that we are spiritual shoppers who have consumer choices about the religions we choose to practice in

Question 8

which theory may criticise the idea of spiritual shoppers

Answer 8

functionalists , consumer choice goes against the value consensus

Question 9

does hervieu leger recognise the idea of religion having an impact on societal values ?

Answer 9

yes , she does acknowledge that religion has some impact on institutions and societal norms and values eg the 10 commandments

Question 10

summarise lyons argument and key terms for his view on religion

Answer 10

• religion has become a commodity
• relocation of religion
  religion becoming disembleed
• religious consumers

Question 11

what is lyons view on religion ?

Answer 11

he argues that religion has become disembedded from real life eg local churches have started to develop a virtual experience through the media and internet
- lyon highlights the increased individualisation and personal choice which shows the changes that religion has undergone in the post modern era

Question 12

summarise Bauman’s view on religion

Answer 12

• religion has lead to a crisis of meaning
• morality , right and wrong
• moral experts

Question 13

which key thinker talks about religion disembedding from real life?

Answer 13

LYON

Question 14

what is Bauman’s on religion ?

Answer 14

bauman discusses why religion is still relevant in a postmodern world, he states that postmodernity has lead to a crisis of meaning where there are no longer clear divisions on what is right and wrong

• there are no longer universal truths on meaning etc which is due to increased diversity

Question 15

why do people turn to religion according to Bauman ?

Answer 15

because it provides meaning and guidance in an uncertain world

Question 16

what are some evaluations of postmodernists

Answer 16

:) postmodernist perspective on religion is very useful in discussing religious diversity and the increased globalisation that has shown the impact on religion in a postmodern society

:( postmodernity is not useful because we have to assume we live in a postmodern society

Question 17

what are some criticisms of postmodernists on other theories

Answer 17

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