Religion and social protest

Question 1

What did Steve Bruce do?

Answer 1

Compared 2 examples of the role of religiously inspired protest movements in America that have tried to change society : the Civil rights movement and the New Christian Right.

Question 2

What is Bruce interested in?

Answer 2

The relationship between religion and social change.

Question 3

What two movements does Bruce look at?

Answer 3

The Civil Rights Movement
The New Christian Right

Question 4

How does Bruce describe the struggle of the black civil rights movement/

Answer 4

As an example of religiously motivated social change.

Question 4

How does Bruce describe the struggle of the black civil rights movement?

Answer 4

As an example of religiously motivated social change.

Question 5

When did the civil rights movement begin and why?

Answer 5

in 1955 when Rosa Parks refused to sit at the back of the bus.

Question 6

Who led the civil rights movement?

Answer 6

Dr Martin Luther King

Question 7

How did churches support the civil rights movement?

Answer 7

• they provided meeting places and sanctuary from the threat of white violence
• provided rituals such as prayer meetings and hymn singing which were a source of unity in the face of oppression

Question 8

According to Bruce, how did the black clergy support the civil rights movement?

Answer 8

He describes the black clergy as the backbone of the movement. Bruce argues they were able to shame whites into changing the law by appealing to their shared Christian values of equality. Their message reached a wide audience outside of Southern states and gained national support.

Question 9

In this resource, what does Bruce see religon as?

Answer 9

An ideological resource - it provided beliefs and practices that protesters could draw on for motivation and support.

Question 10

What 4 reasons did religious organisations mean the civil rights movement was a success?

Answer 10

1. Taking the moral high ground
2. Channelling dissent
3. Acting as honest broker
4. Mobilising public opinion

Question 11

Explain ‘Taking the moral high ground’

Answer 11

Black clergy pointed out the hypocrisy of white clergy who preached ‘love thy neighbour’ but supported racial segregation.

Question 12

Explain ‘Channelling dissent’

Answer 12

Religion provides channels to express political dissent. E.g. the funeral of MLK was a rallying point for the civil rights cause.

Question 13

Explain ‘Acting as an honest broker’

Answer 13

Churches can provide a context for negotiating change because they are often respected by both sides in a conflict and seen as standing above ‘mere politics’.

Question 14

Explain ‘mobilising public opinion’

Answer 14

Black churches in the South successfully campaigned for support across the whole of America.

Question 15

In Bruce’s view, why did the Civil Rights Movement achieve its aims?

Answer 15

Because it shared the same view as wider society and those in power.

Question 16

What is the New Christian Right?

Answer 16

A politically and morally conservative, Protestant fundamentalist movement. It has gained prominence since the 1960s because of its opposition to the liberalising of American Society.

Question 17

What are the aims of the New Christian Right?

Answer 17

To take America “back to God” and make abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage and divorce illegal, turning back the clock to before the liberalisation of American culture and society.

It strongly believes in the traditional family and traditional gender roles. It campaigns for the teaching of ‘creationism’ (the bible’s account of creation is literally true) and to ban sex education in schools.

Question 18

According to Bruce, why has the New Christian Right been largely unsuccessful in achieving its aims?

Answer 18

• Its campaigners fund it very difficult to cooperate with people from other religious groups.
• It lacks widespread support and has met with strong opposition who stand for freedom of choice.

Question 19

How does Bruce describe the New Christian Right and why does he see it as a failure?

Answer 19

A failed movement for change.
It has failed because the American society’s values are liberal and democratic and include a belief in the separation of church and state. Very few Americans support the idea of theocracy (rule by religious leaders).

Question 20

What do numerous surveys show?

Answer 20

Most Americans are comfortable with legalising activities they personally believe are immoral e.g. abortion, homosexuality and pornography, and they are unwilling to accept other people’s definition of how they should live their lives.

Question 21

Why are the results from the survey a problem for the New Christian Right?

Answer 21

This poses an enormous threat for the New Christian Right as they believe in the literal truth of the Bible and insists everyone should be made to conform to its teaching. Bruce points out this is an impossible demand to make in a mature society.

Question 22

Why are comparisons with the civil rights movement interesting?

Answer 22

They suggest that to achieve success, the beliefs and demands of religiously motivated protest movements and pressure groups need to be consistent with those of wider society. Therefore, they need to connect with mainstream beliefs about democracy, equality and religious freedom, which the Civil rights movement did but the New Christian Right has failed to do.