religion and social change Flashcards
(8 cards)
Religion as a conservative force.
1) functionalism: religion reinforces value consensus in society- religion maintain society, norms and values through secondary socialisation done through sacralisation (parsons)
2) Marxism: religion legitimises class inequalities in capitalist society- religion keep society the same by maintaining capitalism as it acts as a social control, the bible controls people’s thoughts through teachings.
3) feminism: religion legitimises gender inequalities in a patriarchal society - religion helps keep society the same by maintaining patriarch ( religious organisations, places of worship, sacred texts and religious norms and customs)
4) interpretivism: religion provides individual meanings, which creates order - Berger argues that religion provides what he calls a ‘universe of meaning’ thus is a set of beliefs that helps people make sense of the world negative - Berger ignores how one individuals interpretation of a religious belief or a text can lead to social change.
Religion as a radical force for social change: case study 1- Weber: Calvinism and Protestant work ethic.
Weber argued that some religious ideas specifically protestant belief had initiated the economic and social conditions in which capitalism emerged.
1) calvinist believed in protonation ie god has already chosen who was fit for salivation and those who will not be saved
2) the solution to dealing with this anxiety to engage in ‘intense worldly activities’ since hard work and material successful seen as religious virtues unlikely sign of God’s chosen one
3) the Protestant ethic emphasised values and virtues like hard work, thrift, trade, profit, modesty and punctuality. living in according to these values became signs of God’s grace and indication that individual was chosen.
Negatives- marxist argues that capitalism predated Calvinism and Bourgeoisie were attracted to it as it offered convenient justification for economic interests. This protection and religion wa an ideology used to legitimise capitalism.
Case study 2: liberation theology (neo-Marxist view)
Case study 2:liberation theorists (neo Marxist view)
Liberation theory is a movement that emerged with the Catholic Church in Latin America at the end of the 1960s with a strong commitment to the poor and opposition to military dictatorships. They created social change by helping to end dictatorship and bring about democracy.
Case study 3: American civil rights movement.
Bruce describe the struggle of the black civil rights movement of the 1950-60’s to end racial segregation as an example of religious motivated social change. Although slavery was abolished in 1865 the black community was separated from the white majority and treated a second class citizens. Bruce argues that the backbone of civil rights movement was the black clergy. Led by Martin Luther king, they provided support and moral legitimacy to activists, they were able to shame white people into changing the law by appealing the shared Christian values of equality.
Religion reversing social change (cultural defence) case study 4: Iranian revolution.
In 1979 Islamic fundamentalist revolted against the ruling class of Iran. The shah (king) of Iran was seen to be sympathetic to western culture and change the way of life in Iran to become more western and like America. Islamic clerics warned of ‘ Westoxification’ if Iran where the country’s islamic culture could be eroded and lost to Western ideas. There were strikes student protests and eventually the shah fled the country handing over control to the revolutionaries.
Case study 5: taliban in Afghanistan
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan during the 1990s set up possibly the most extreme form of religious regime ever witnessed based on extremely harsh interpretations of the Quran. Women were forced to dress themselves in traditional dress to hide their identities, Men were forced to grow beards and children were forced to fly kites all music was banned. Harsh punish such as amputation for theft and beatings for not wearing traditional dress. Girls forbidden from education. This address that social change may have a negative consequence for members of society.
Case study 6: the new Christian rights.
The new Christian write is a politically a morally conservative protestant fundamentalist movement. The main aim of the new Christian way is to take America back to God the changes they would make to American sight include making homosexuality gay marriage and divorce illegal. The basis of the new right is to go back in time to before liberation of Western culture.
Negatives- lacks widespread support and has been met with strong opposition from groups who stand for freedom entries
