religion in contemporary society Flashcards
(12 cards)
Religion in a global context
1) religion made contribute to development within society - in India Hinduism legitimises middle class prospects and ultra-nationalism.
2) religion may be a form of cultural defence -in Iran religion may be used to resist changes in society preserving a national culture and identity.
3) modernisation may be lead to secularisation - religious diversity amongst other factors may cause a decline and religious practice
4) globalisation may have led to the development of religious fundamentalism- fundamentalists believe in the literal truth of Scriptures it may be a response to change from within or from outside a society and can lead to conflict between fundamentalist groups and rest of society.
1) religion and economic development: case study A- Hinduism in India
-Globalisation has brought rapid economic growth and rising prospects.
-Nada examines the role of Hinduism the religion of 85% of the population in India it legitimises both the rise of new Hindu ultra nationalism and the prosperity of the Indian middle class.
-Nan notes that is becoming fashionable to be religious and to be seen to do so secondly she argues the increasingly velocity is the result of their uncertainty about their newfound wealth. Hindu believe in rejecting materialism and worldly desires and they’re growing well that they cannot used to buy these desires.
Limitations
-however today in India modern holy men are encouraging people to be more spiritually balanced achieve spiritually balance by spending more money on religious sources as a result Indians are starting to become more wealthy helping India’s economy.
Case study B: pentecostalism in Latin America
- Berger argues that Pentecostalism in Latin America acts in a similar way to Weber protestant ethic, as it encourages the development of capitalism today in the same way as Calvinism in the 16th and 17th century in Europe.
-pentecostalists embrace a work ethic and aesthetic lifestyle like that of Calvinists they abstain from alcohol focusing the energy on working hard and maintaining personal discipline which is encourages member to prosper and become upwardly mobile. He argues Thai is vital for economic development and raise society out of poverty. In chilli and southern Brazil there is a growing number of Pentecost’s middle class who are leading capitalist development.
Limitation
Berger also underlined webers point that religious ideas are alone not enough to produce economic development as natural resources are also needed so although pens costs has grown in Northern Brazil the lack of natural resources in their religion means this part of country is still economically underdeveloped.
2) Religion as a cultural defence: case study C: Iran
- Western capitalist Powers and oil companies had long influenced around and helped install a pro western Saha who wished to Westernise the country. This included Bunning the veil and replacing the Muslim calendar.
-any changes the Saha made were imposed rapidly and any defiance was punished harshly under these conditions is became the focus for resistance to the Saha regime the Revolution of 1979 brought the creation of the Islamic Republic. Eg. A Muslim who becomes non-Muslim is punishable by death.
Limitations
Haynes argues that Iranian revolution was not typical of the Middle East in that religious leader led it in countries such as Saudi Arabia The religious leadership is closely tied to wealthy elite in society who are pro-western therefore we can’t generalise this case study.
3) circulation and globalisation - cast study D: secularisation in America
- Bruce is three sources of evidence to support claims that America is becoming increasingly secular.
-He argued that religious diversity brought on globalisation. This has led to secularisation occurring within America. - Bruce identifies a trend towards ‘practical relativism’ amount American Christian’s, involving acceptance of the view that others are entitled to hold beliefs that are different to the room.
- The counterpart practical reel with the same is the erosion of absolutism as we all live in a society with many people hold of you that are completely different to our own.
Limitations
Lerger would argue that an increase in religious diversity opens the door for more people to practice spiritual shopping rather than call secularisation.
Religious fundamentalism: the characteristics of fundamentalism
- fundamentalists seek to return to the basics of their faith: take the truth of scripture literally as it provides answers to all life’s important questions
- Us and them mentality: separate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to compromise with it
- aggressive reaction: aim to draw attention to the threat of their beliefs, may be hostile towards opposing beliefs
- use of modern technology: critical of the modern culture due to sacculation, use modern technology such as computer computers and televangelism to achieve their rooms
- patriarchy: favour a world that has control over women and oppresses them
Explanations of fundamentalism- Giddens
- The growth of fundamentalism is due to globalisation, which undermines the traditional social norms of a nuclear family, gender and sexuality due to contraception allowing sex outside of marriage, abortion, and homosexuality)
- This result in people being faced with choice, uncertainty and risk, so fundamentalism aims to move away from the globalising world
- Supported by Beck’s risk society
Explanations of fundamentalism- Castelles
- expand on Giddens, fundamentalism helps to construct a resistance identity for the individual in an uncertain society
- This is a defensive approach where ideas and actions are geared towards preserving their traditional values of religion
