Religion in society Flashcards

Question

# calvinists beleifs PREDESTINATION | enables change within modern capitalism

Answer 1

* God had **predetermined** **which souls would be saved** – the **elect** – **and** those who would **not**. * This was **decided even before birth**. Individuals are **powerless to change** this decision- either through **their deeds** (Pilgrimage) or **through faith** (as believed by Lutherans)- it is **fixed** and already made by God.

Answer 2

* God is **far above the world** and **so incomparably greater than any mortal**- **no** human could **claim to know his will.** * **When combined with predestination, this causes Calvinists "salvation panic"**(Knowing that there is **nothing that they can do in order to be saved**makes them ***panic and worry that they will go to hell***.)

Answer 3

* This refers to **abstinence** (going without), *self-discipline and self-denial.* * E.G. Monks lead such an existence- rejecting luxury items and wearing simple clothes. * They would devote themselves to God and a life of prayer.

Answer 4

- **Marx** argues that **economic/materia**l factors are driving force of social change. - religion has a DUAL CHARACTER = challenge status quo/prevents social change - Weber argued that this alone cannot change – cultural factors are also important in bringing about change (beliefs of Calvinism) **'Religion helps people adapt to adverse events and circumstances and so can help to maintain social stability’**

Answer 5

- **BRUCE**: Like Weber he is interested in **the relationship between religion and social change** * He refers to 2 examples of religiously inspired **protest movements in the USA that tried to change society;** 1) American Civil Rights Movement 2) The New Christian Right

Answer 6

* **a nonviolent social movement** aimed at **ending legalised racial segregation and discrimination in America.** * Religion **provided moral guidance and support** for ***the civil rights movement***, **for their oppression** - religious organizations **playing crucial roles** promoting social change. - **provided peaceful protest** this was done by: * **Taking the moral high ground**: **Black clergy** *challenged* ***the hypocrisy of white clergy*** who advocated *"love thy neighbo*r" but ***supported racial segregation.*** * Churches *provided* **spaces for meetings, prayer, and fostered unity among activists.** - X: Takes too much of a **positive stance** - in reality **religion could be a negative outcome - New Christian Right - might be a result to conservative forces**

Answer 7

- Are in opposition of a **liberal/secular** American **society** and wish to take America ‘**back to God’** and **make abortion, homosexuality, and divorce illegal**. - They **advocate** a society premised upon **traditional family (nuclear) and gender roles**

Answer 8

- they believe that the purpose of christianity is to **free the oppressed from the opressors**. - *Engels & Gramsci* agree that religion is a **‘dual character’** = *it inhibits change but also can encourage it*. This **contrasts** with the **deterministic view held by Marxist** - This means that religion can **challenge the status quo** *as well* as support it by **enlightening workers to see through the ruling class hegemony** by *offering a better vision of the world* - These clergy were called *‘**organic intellectuals**’*– **support them in their quest for change.**

Answer 9

- Religion **raises the hope of a better afterlife**, creates **the desire to change things** and to improve situation on earth = **life free from sin, death and corruption**. - Engles argues that the millenarian group represents the **first awakening** of '**proletarian self-consciousness**' = acted like **organic intellectuals** who help **raise awareness of the oppressed**. - ***often appealed to the poor to improve colonial situations = where poliitical dimension changes***

Answer 10

* Hegemony = ideological domination. * Gramsci was interested in the way **religion is used by the ruling class** ***to maintain control.*** * He also notes, however, **that hegemony is not always *guaranteed*.** * Therefore he says **religion has a dual character** – *they are aware of it, however, they are also aware of their material conditions - so they conform to the system for survival - can't revolt.* * The **oppression** **experienced** by the proletariat is **more a choice, as opposed of the organic intellectuals. - helped build rebeliion/protest** BLOCH - relgion had a **dual character** - **justfying inequality** but **aslo enourgaining social change** * **in the principle of hope**, bloch argued that relgions that did **offer people a utopian vision of heaven on earth** * offered **a way for indiviudlas to change society for the better**

Answer 11

* He **compares class struggle in two communities of w/c protestants** 1. *Militant miners* 2. *Textile workers* Found Three **ways** ***in which relgion is supported/ challenged by hegemony*** 1. LEADERSHIP: miners had the leadership of th eorganic intellectuals, so they helped to convert miners to the union cause. Textile = lacked leadership 2. ORGANISATION: miners use independent churches to hold meetings. textiles = lacked spaces 3. **SUPPORT: the churches kept miner morale high (through prayer/group).**

Answer 12

- They use typology to categorise & analyse the 4 different religius organisations 1. CHURCHES 2. SECTS 3. CULT 4. DENOMINATION

Answer 13

- more **align** to **alternatives** to **traditional relgion** and **focused on individual developments** - **WORLD-AFFIRMING** = *wallis* - in terms of *social clas*s = cults *appeals* to the *already affluent* + who *wants to become successful = w/c* - **tolererant** of others faiths - **dont claim anybody monoplogy**, - **exclusive**

Answer 14

- Are large and established religious bodies that have a hierarchy of religious leaders. - Most denominational members are born into and grow up within the body. - Examples of Christian denominations include the Roman Catholic Church. - dont claim exclusive monopoly truths

Answer 15

- **closely connected to the state** = **King** Charles III is the **Head of the Church** of England. - associated with christianity - **accepts norms & values** - They **claim** a **monopoly over the truth** - born into the church (abscribed)

Answer 16

- are **smaller committed members**. - **high level of commitment** - **WORLD-REJECTING MOVEMENTS** - they **claim a monopoly over the truth** and are often hostile to other religious organisations - **mainstream society/religious bodies** in terms of *social class* - *recruits* the *most disadvantaged* - requires *them to give up their previous life* - also *appeals* to the *relative deprived m/c students*

Answer 17

highlights two characteristics 1. *How they see themeselves:* They claim that interpretation of **the faith is the only legitimate or correct one**. Denominations and cults accpets many valid interpretaions. 2. *How they are seen by wider society:* **Churches and denominations** are seen as respectable and **legitimate**, **wheras sects and cults are seen as deviant and potentially dangerous.**

Answer 18

1. - *sects* result from ***schisms (splits)*** in existing organisation. They **break away from the churches**. = **promise other-wordly benefits** (*e,g. a place in heaven*) to ***those suffering from economic deprivation.*** - **HEAVEN'S GATE** IS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS: It persuaded 38 followers to commit suicide in belief that their souls would ascend to a spaceship hidden behind a comet 1. - *cults* = **promise this worldly benefits** (e.g. ***good health***) to *more prosperous individuals who are suffering* - i.e. **the moonies** (They identified the leader, ‘Moon’ as the messiah who implants God’s love in his followers = they are acceptive of new viewpoints/religion)

Answer 19

- Similar to **Troeltsch’s** definition of sects. = wants **radical change** - **critical** of the **outside** world - members **live communally and have restricted contact of the world** - Moral panics about brain-washing - NRMs usually **appeal more to young people** and this **heightens the fear of parents who see their children as being captured**. E.G. the **moonies** have **conservative moral codes**

Answer 20

- **breakaway from existing mainstream churches/denominations** - neither **accept/ reject** the world as they **focus in religion rather than worldly matters** - **Members** of such groups (e.g. **“born again Christia**n” groups) usually live “normal” lives. - E.G. **Neo-Pentecostalist**s believe that **other Christian religions** **have lost the holy sprit**. - Wallis point out that a **counter culture** developed as they **avoided adulthood (disenfranchised youths)** - they provided radical politics (e.g. barriers for young people) **NRMs offered young people up more idealistic way of living**

Answer 21

- differ from all other religious groups & l**ack some of the conventional features, such as collective worship** - **accepts/affirm the world as it is** (most are cults) - **E.G. Scientology** - Can be seen as **a force of social change**, **moving away from tradition but it’s more people-centred** - These have grown as they **provided a sense of identity and techniques that promise success in the world. (E.G. meditation**)

Answer 22

- it is not clear whether he is categorising them according to the movements teachings or individual members beliefs’ - overestimate the level of value consent - Stark and Bainbridge argue that religious organisations should be distinguished only by the degree of conflict or tension between the religious group and wider society.

Answer 23

Individual may choose to join a NRM as it: - **Encourages people to comply** - Allows people to live from tradition and to be more **individualistic** REASONS ARE: - Marginality - Relative deprivation - social change

Answer 24

* exisiting **religious insitutions** has **pushed indivuals to the margins of society** - as a result **look for other explanation for their position** * **Weber** argued that NRMs developed as a response to the marginalisation of individuals. * **sects offer as a solution** to this problem for **their disadvantages in society** - '***theodicy of dis privileg***e’ = **An religious explanation and justification for their suffering.** * Often linked to rapid social changes and attitudes in society - **e.g. civil rights movement, millenarian movement**s

Answer 25

- refers to **the subjective sense of being deprived** - e.g. **m/c** ppl may be **spiritually deprived** - turn to **sect** for a **sense of community** - **Wallis** argued that **deprivation in society** had led to **individuals looking to RMs** **for spiritual enrichment** - **frustrated** so sought **personal fufilment** * turn **away** from religion - **seek nrms for explanations** - **Stark and Bainbridge** argues that world rejecting sects **offer to the deprived compensator that they need for the rewards they are denied.**

Answer 26

*helps them to social changes* * **Wilson** argues the **growth of nrms** are a **result** of **changing norms and values** * indiviudals form nrms **when traditional religion fails to fufil the needs of its memebers** - may **turn to sects.** - **relects** their **changing views of society** led to the ***growth of technological advancement, extension of youth etc*** **Bruce** also sees the growth of sects and cults today as **a response to the social changes involved in *modernisation* and *secularisation*** = people are **less attracted** to **traditional** churches. Instead people prefer cults = less ***demanding*** - adapt to modern society e.g. same-sex marraiges

Answer 27

* **Niebuhr** - **world-rejecting movements exis**t because of **schism** = usually because of a **disagreement in religious doctrine**. * sects a short lived. This is because: **1.The second generation:** born into the sect lacks commitment **2.Death of a leader**: Either causes the collapse of the sect **Wilson** argues that some sects** do not move through a cycl**e but instead become **established** sects **e.g. mormons/amish** - Both **successfully socialise**their children into a a **high level of commitmen**t by **keeping them seperate** to **the rest of the world** - **through the rise of gloablisation this makes it harder to sepearte themeseleve**s from the rest of the world. = **RELFECTS WHAT niebur says - short lived sects will be enhanced** we can criticse wilson- **through technology can be used to further one's commitmentment to religion**

Answer 28

**1. Schism:** There is tension between deprived members of a church and privileged ones. The deprived form a sect. **2. Initial Fervour:** A great tension between the sects beliefs and wider society. **3. Denominotionalism:** The 'Protestant Ethic' effect occurs and the coolness of the second generation disappears. **4. Establishment:** The sect becomes more world accepting and tension reduces. The less privileged members break away to create a new sect

Answer 29

He said there are two themes that characterise New Age: **1. SELF-SPIRITUALITY**: Individuals have **turned away from traditional 'external' religions** (islam, christianity) and **instead look inside themesleves to find spirituality**. = **Weber** - becomes **disenchantment** as ***structures are weakening* people become more *rational*** - as a result they **move awy** from relgion - resulting in **individualisation and autonomy** **2. Detraditionalisation**: **Rejects the spiritual authority** of traditional sources **such as priests/sacred texts**. **Values personal experience/discovering the truth for ourselves**. = **links to marginaisaltion** E.G. **Astrology, Meditation are spiritualy that act as a compensate to Everyday life.** *Functionalist* would be unsettled of this, as they are moving away from tradition. **Anomie occurs due to wide fragmentation of religious beliefs = looses its value consesus**.

Answer 30

*Womens are more likely to:* - Express greater intrest in religion and have a firmer belief in God - involve themeselves in rituals and worship - Join NRMs and NAMs (BRUCE) *REASONS FOR RELIGIOSITY:* - **Risk, socialsation and gender roles:** - **paid work** - **women and the new age** : - **women compensators and sects** : | SEE NOTION NOTES

Answer 31

1. *Miller* - gender differences **in risk taking behaviour**. **Men** are **more risk-averse** they are more **likely to not adhere to religion compared to women.** * Women are **socialised into being more passive obedient** and caring. Those with these **qualities are more attracted to religion** - eg ***passiveness/obedience are required to faith.*** * Gender roles mean **women are more likely to work part time** which means that they have **more time for religious practices**. * EVALUATION: **funct**. ENSURES THE **reproductive roles for women** and **values consensus** of expectstion * **feminist** may **criticie** this ideas bc relgion is **patrichal** - **fc** - s***afe place away from risk but actually - rlgion provides a continuation of risk male doniminaiton*** - *preventing females to recognise their oppression.*

Answer 32

* Women are more **associated with nature and spiritual healing**. They may be more **attracted to new age movements and ideas than men.** * Woohhead suggested that women are more attracted to New Age movements bc they **experince *double alienation*** - the **family** *fails* to give them **a sense of *identity***, and **they feel *dissatied*** within their **limited role as a housewife** * **NAM's** offers a chance ***to express their authentic rather than merely acting out roles***. This means that the ***position of women in society is changing*** - **ambition and aspiration** **(sue sharpe).** * NAMs offer women a space to become **more in tune with their real '*calling*'.** Criticism: * **Functionalisms** would **DESPISE** this. Parsons and Murdock - core/**vital** **functions** of the family are **jeopardised** by f**emale involvement in NAMs** and a **move away from the fundamental of traditional religion**. * NAMs encourage women **to fulfil their ambition** and **step away from the constraints** traditional gender roles impose. **This weakens collective conscience, evokes anomie, disrupts socialisation etc**

Answer 33

* Bruce - more women than men involved in sects bc it offer **compensation** for **social deprivation** which is more common amongst women which explain their **high level of sect membership.** * **social deprivation** - **women are likely to be poor and therefore join a sect.** **to numb the pain of this experience***. This could be because ***women live to serve men as a second-class citizen and thus find society a difficult place to be.*** * *Like - feminist. This is because they are **less traditional** and offer women a space to **escape patriarchy** and **remove themselves** from **oppressive expectations**. **A sense of empowerment** that **traditional religion does not allow** for. Criticism: * Dislike/like - functionalists. Malinowski would aruge that **sects provide a psychological function to women** - a **space for them to vent and remove the burden of everyday living and then continue to be exploited (WBT)**

Answer 34

- For example, **Church census record**s show that congregations were divided **57% women and 43% men** (and this gender division had **remained quite consistent for some years**). -

Answer 35

- **Fertility levels** = **more women are having children later**. older women are not presented at church - **family diversity**: **single parents/cohabitation** = all **discourage** the church and **religion** = may feel **alienated.** - **Sexuality:** **homosexuality** is **not** really **accepted** by the church.

Answer 36

depends on **how they engage in religion**. She indentifies 3 types of modern women: * **HOME-CENTRED:** priortise the home traditions christian values * **JUGGLER:** Balance family commitment and female employment (alternative spirtual) * **WORK-CENTRED**: more secular, abondons church as it doesnt fit with demanding work schedules However: - his study **doesnt** specify that we **live in a secular religion and a different movemen**t (E.G. **NAMs offers to abondon presrcibed gender roles** and allow women to **touch** with their **authentic self**)= acts a form of espacism. - therefore there is **still religion, just in a secular form**

Answer 37

Reason **1. CULTURAL TRANSISTION:** ***new migrants looks for familar agmonst the unfamilair*** - Religion **enables the *ease* of the *transition*** into the new culture by providing support and a ***sense of community for minority groups.*** - Once a group makes the transition into the wider society, religion loses it role/meaning. - **PRYCE**= examined **how pentecostalism acted as a way of helping** some memebers of the Afro-carribean communities **to cope with low pay and racial discrimination** = *enables them to fit in.* **Cultural defence:** - **BRUCE**: Religion offers a ***support for hostile, uncertain environments*** (sense of belonging). It ***preserves one's culture/ language*** = *act as a way of coping with their oppression*. e.g. **black carribean experience in the establsihed (white majory) church** - *Many black christian found that white churches werent as actively welcoming = so they **turned to black-led pentecostal churches** catering to specific lamguages and nationalities.* - **through singing based on hope = 'wade in the water'- preseerving culture - also emphaises on money = prosperity churches - white garmet - contrast with catholic churches like hymns**

Answer 38

Minority ethnic groups are arguably **more marginalised** and **relatively deprived** than the White majority * Weber - 't***heodicy of deprivilege***' may ***explain higher levels of religiosity.*** * ***Stark and Bainbridge*** - Religion as ***compensation*** for marginalisation and relative deprivation. * Rastafarianism in African- Caribbean communities in 1970s, particularly among men. It is seen as ***a form of 'resistance to racism'*** * African-Caribbeans **face higher levels of unemployment** and **most likely to experience racism**; Black boys are 7x more likely to be expelled from school

Answer 39

***Johal*** (1998) - many young **British Asians** have **forged a new hybrid identity called '*Brasian*'** (blending British and Asian culture). **Selecting** elements of **their parents traditional culture** and that of **British culture** - ***mixing*** a r**eligious identity with a British identity**.

Answer 40

- *"Black christians were more likely to see relgion as important and attend a place of worship"*- **Bierely**

Answer 41

1. THE AGEING EFFECT: 2. THE COHORT EFFECT: 3. SECULARISATION:

Answer 42

- This is the view that **poeple turn to religion as they get older.** - ***HEELAS*** argues that poeple become more **intrested in spirituality as they age**. (links to **calvin salvation panic**) = The o**lders become more concerned about the afterlife/ repentance of past misdeeds. - closer to death** - As a result, **more likely to go to church** THEORECTICAL PERSPECTIVES ***Functionalist*** would agree with this as they believe that they are **more likley to feel at peace with relgion.** Specifically, ***Parson***, would argue that when individuals are faced with life events sch as death, religion can act a source of comfort and thus **gives meaning/value.**

Answer 43

- People born during a **particular period may be more or less likely to be religious** because of the particular **events lived through, such as war/social change.** = *feel unsafe, so ask for guidance* - This is why **some countries are more religious than others** THEORECTICAL: - This can be explained wth **BRUCE**: *Civil religion* = **provided guidance/liberation and hope.**- *palestians believe that they died a maytr death (a person who is killed because of their religious)* - HOWEVER **Marxist** would say that this enables the **base and superstucture relationship** as it provides the proletariat to cosume **lenins idea of the spiritiual gin** = its **more of the scenario the individual is in** rather t**han their age** e.g.

Answer 44

- As relgion **declines in importance, each genertaion becomes *less* relgious that the one before it** - **Younger** poeple are **less** relgious than **older**. - ***BECKFORD*** describes this as the ***'virtual collaspe of religious socialistaion***' = this is where **parent** (*of the same faith*) are **50**% likely to raise their ***child* to be a churchgoer** than as an ***adult***. = **more likely to see the ageing population**. (1 in 3 aged 65 and over) THEORECTICAL: allowing people to be **woke** - *people are realising/beginning to question faith - tune in to themeselves e.g. gay, legalisation of drugs* - Religion provides an **alienation** *through* the **mystcial fog/ the fasle class consciousness**, so if **we turn away to become more secular**, this e**nables individuals to attach more meaning to their life. (religious tradition doesnt label them)** - similarly, ***Gramsci and Engles*** idea of religion acting as a '**dual character**' supports this as it also **gives people the opportunity to follow their on rules = creates social change**

Answer 45

- Wilson describes it as **"the process whereby religious thinking, practices and institutions lose social significance".** - Weber talks about a process of **rationalisation** and the **disenchantment** of the world. = he argues that **changes in wider society have led to religion to have less significance.** = g**reater scientific understanding reduces reliance upon religion for answers**. (the Enlightenment period began this process)

Answer 46

- He identifies indicators of secularisation: 1. **Religion/symbols *lose* their *prestige*** e.g. the **cross has been *reappropriate***d e.g. on merch - clothing 2. Relgion disengages from how socity operates - **disentachment** 3. **scientific/rationa**l ways of thinking has **taken over** religious ways.

Answer 47

- religion is **not decling** but simply **changing its for**m - e.g. there has been a **rise in alternative forms of spirituality** such as **New Age practices** - these practice are often a **blend of relgious traditions (*secular*) but still fufil *individual* needs** - evidene of falling church **attendence ignores** **peoples who believe but dont go** - e..g **many indivuals ezpresses their spirtutuality through private** practics such as ***prayers mediations, personal rituals***

Answer 48

- **Focuses on whether religion is declining or changing** - **Davie**: '**obligation to consumption**' = in the **past** people **were obligated to have religious ceremonies** in the church, where as **now it is a matter of choice**. ***E.G. adults can be baptised later on in life***. - Religion is simply taking a **more privatised form.** People are **reluctant to belong to an organisation** (***this is because of an dis-embedded religion*** = **some will engage in some parts** - **Davie call this ‘believing without belonging’.**

Answer 49

- **Voas and Crockett**: Neither believeing nor belonging. - The new age movement is probably best characterised as a **'spiritual market'** from which **individuals are free to pick and mix** those spiritual beliefs/practices **which they feel best helps them achieve piece of mind.**

Answer 50

- There are a number of feautures of postmodern society that are changing the nature of religion 1. **Globalisation and Media Influence:** - Increased movement of **beliefs driven by media** and information technology **is leading to the disembedding of religion from physical churches**, as seen with **televangelism**, **resulting in the de-institutionalisation** of religion and **allowing individuals to adopt religious concepts independently.** 2. **Re-enchantment of the World:** - Contrary to the idea that religion is declining,**there is a renewed interest in unconventional beliefs, practices, and spirituality**. This shows ***a move away from purely rational thinking towards exploring diverse spiritual expression***

Answer 51

**Importance** of traditional religious norms , values and practices. Opposite of secularisation

Answer 52

Bruce challenges the idea that religion is changing and not declining. He says we can’t classify NAMs a new religion due to: - **Weak commitment:** most people dabbled(in and out) in New Age but not committed. - **Socialisation of the next generation:** For a belief system to survive it must be passed down to the next generation. **E.G The Kendal Project**- children shared beliefs.

Answer 53

- The aim of the project was to look at the **existence of secularisation and sacuralisation** being **presented at the same time** - Wanted to **look at religion** in a **holistic sense**. - Holistic domain look**s alternative spiritual practices such as reflexology** - However it’s**difficult to find all alternative spirituality** in Kendal because**it’s done at home (in a private domain) = practices are not advertise.**

Answer 54

- **Stark & Bainbridge:** people are **naturally religious**. It is human nature to ***seek rewards and avoid costs.*** - **The cycle of renewal**: they describe a **perpetual cycle throughout history**, with some **religions declining** and **others attracting new members.** (E.G. **when established church decline**, they **leave a gap in the markets** for **sects/cults to attract new followers**) HOWEVER, **Bruce** argues that S + B **misrepresent secularisation theory**. The theory does not claim there was that everyone will become atheists. It simply claims that **religion is in a long term decline**

Answer 55

Highlighted by the growth of **televangelism**. They **preach to thousands** and their **message is one of *prosperity.*** They **compete for consumers** and **see** themeselves on a **selling a product.**

Answer 56

* **Norris and Inglehart** believe that it’s the feeling that survival is secure enough that it can be taken for granted. * There are **higher demands** of religion in **poorer societies** because ***they face life threatening risk such as diseases which makes them remain religious*** and secure as **opposed to western counties where secularisation has increased.** * **Marxist** would add & say that this **promotes ideological manipulation**, it **conditions people to not challenge religion if we feel financially insecure.**

Answer 57

**FEATURES OF RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM:** *1. Authoritative sacred text:* Aldridge argues that all texts are interpreted and that means that fundamentalists hold true interpretation of the Bible, *they ignore other intrepetations involving metaphors* 2. *Use of modern technology:* Fundamentalists oppose **modern culture but will use technology**, the internet and weapons to achieve their goals.e.g. **online church services**

Answer 58

Bruce use this to *criticise* **Giddens**: some FUNDAMENTALSIT is **a reaction to the insecurity and percieved threats brought by globalisation** 1. *I**n the west**:* **New Christian righ**t this is a ***response to change within societ***y e.g. ***the movemts towards gay people and abortion*** 2. *In **the developing world:*** ***Iranian Revolution*** 1979 - this was a **response to western values being imposed by capitalist powers.**

Answer 59

Davie argues that fundamentalism may be a **secular response to changes in modern society**.

Answer 60

* He believes there are civilisations of **different cultures/religions** that are in **conflict/clash** with each other e.g. **like Islam vs Judiasm - Paletsine vs Isreal** = **different values and identity** = his theory has some *releveance* * **globalisation** increases **interactions** between civilisations - increasing *old conflicts* **re-emerging** * re-awakening the **'us and them**' ideolology = 'us' '*capitalist*' world - them = *communist* * **weakness**, However, this is too **simplistic**. **JACKSON sees Huntington's work as an example of *orientalism*** - a **western ideology that *stereotypes* Eastern nations.** .- seen as '*other' (them vs. us)* * **We live in a multi-faith society so this suggests that we can live in a peaceful society**.

Answer 61

- Postmodern society **brings freedom of choice and uncertainty**. - Similarly, **Castells** distinguishes two responses to postmodernity one of them being; 1. **Resistance identity**: a defence **reaction of those who feel threatened and retreat into fundamentalist. = LINKS TO MALINOSWKI**

Answer 62

- Fundamentalist that are **threatened by modernity (goes *against traditional values***) = they feel the **need to defend themeslevse ** - **Giddens** argues fundamentalism produces **dogmatic beliefs** (when you *accept something as the entire truth*). **This provides certainty in an uncertain world.**

Answer 63

- GIDDENS - They use m**odern method**s to **express beliefs such as *televangelism*** - **Cosmopolitanism** is **tolerant/open-minded**, constantly **modifying beliefs**. = Giddens calls this r**eflexive thinking**.

Answer 64

**Beckford** criticises Giddens, Bauman and castells: - **Fixated on fundamentalism** **ignoring important developments** - Giddens **Lumps all types of fundamentalism together ignoring the differences - christiaity to hindu-fundamentalsim**

Answer 65

* BRUCE sees fundamentalism as being **confined** to **monotheistic** religions believing in a **almighty single** God. = **monoploy of truth/infalliable** They follow **sacred** texts which lays down **specific rules**. * **Polytheistic** religions such as **Hinduism**, are unlikely to be fundamentalists. - ***room for interpetations/debates***

Answer 66

- The success in the **global market** is increasingly **attributed to the superiority of ‘Hindu values’** - that **Hinduism is the essence of Indian culture and identity.** - ‘our people are not perfect, but our culture is superior to others’. - **Hinduism has becomes a civil religion (Bellah)**

Answer 67

* As **societies and religions** become increasingly **closer to one another**, there is **potential for relgious conflict**, **diversity and change.** * **NANDA**: **examines the role of Hinduism** (**85**% of the population) is legitimising **both** the rise of a **new Hindu ‘ultra-nationalism’** and the **economic prosperity** of the **Indian Middle class** - seen as **fashionable to become religious** * **Due to globalisation** - it has created a **prosperous, educated m/c ppl in inida working** in sectors like **IT** etc - MAJORITY OF THIS CLASS **believes in the supernatural** - **atrracted** *'low status' villages God* and *by the poor* - seen as being **more responsive** to people’s needs **than the traditional Hindu ‘great gods**

Answer 68

- She **rejects poverty and existential security theory** (**Norris and Englehart**) as an explanation because they are not poor. - She also **rejects the idea that religiosity is a defensive reaction to modernisation and westernisation** - instead religiosity is a **result** of their **‘ambivalence’ = (uncertainty)** towards **their new found wealth in the globalised world.** - *Through the reinterpretation of religious text* - middleclass hindus are being taught that **consummerism** can be **'spiritually balanced**' by **payng for the performance of religious rituals** = links to **calvinism** - their wealth balannces out with relion - X: we could argue that globalisation has remove relion coutries like japan

Answer 69

Different sets of beliefs distingushes from * Ideology - science - religion Main approaches to **defining** religion - **Substantive definition**: DO THEY BELIEVE IN A GOD - **EXCLUSIVE** - either religious or not - **Functional definition**: in terms of its **social** and **physological** funtions e.g. *religion contribution to social integration* (DURKHEIM) - MORE **INCLUSIVE** How religion **differs** from science: - science is an **open** beilef system in compassion to religion - religion is **based** upon **faith**, whilst science is **based** upon direct **observation** - ***closed*** beleif system - **sacred** knowldged - doesnt change - e.g. **religious *fundamentalists*.**

Answer 70

- A belief system is any set of ideas and beliefs **that people use to make sense of the world** around them. - science **enables us to explain, predict and control the world** in a way that other beliefs systems do not (**religion**) - its achievements in medicine r.g. have eridacted many once fatal disease - however our **faith** **in science have started to fail** - due to **man-made risk** - beck - e.g. **covid**

Answer 71

1) - **OPEN TO 'SCRUNITY' CRITICISM AND TESTING BY OTHERS** ***POPPER*** - A goverened by the principle of **falsification** = where scientists **falsify** existing theories = can be **challenged**. - ***nothing in science is sacred - or an absolute truth*** - scientist knowledge is **based on *cumalitaives*** = it **another theory REPLACES the OTHER** - **contrast with contrast religion a closed system that relies upon faith** 2) MERTON **agrees** w ^ - The ***C*** UD***O*** ***S*** norms: (ACRONMYN HERE ARE SOME) - **science has grown**, shaped by: - ***C* ommunism** – **scientific knowledge must be shared or knowledge cannot grow** - ***O* rganised *S* cepticism – every idea is open to questioning and investigation**.

Answer 72

- he holds the view similar to popper - SCIENCE COMUNNITY WASNT '*OPEN*' AS POPPER SUGGEESTED scence is a closed belief system bc it is **self-sustaining** e.g. **fundamentalist Christians** , for example, **reject the scientific concept of evolution** and believe that **God created the world** just as it was written in the Bible more than 2000 years ago. - Its **knowledge is sacred and therefore cannot be challenged**. Therefore religion is known as a **closed belief system**.

Answer 73

* He argues that science is **based on shared assumptions** called **paradigms**, which **develop over time**. * *paradigms* **guides what scientists to see reality**, WHAT **METHODS/EQUIPMENT** to use * therefore **normal** science is **puzzle solving** = **LAYS DOWN THE BROAD OUTLINES** - *think of it how we start with the corners with a puzzle* * **Science rejects information that contradicts existing knowledge**, making it a ***socially constructed* understanding** = **based on *subjective* interpretations.** * **supports** - interpretvists who argued that science is **socially contructed** * The **example** of **"Little Green Men"** radio signal from 1960's shows that **scientific facts are social constructions**, (they didnt know) **rather than being objective truths.**

Answer 74

- Ideology is **a set of ideas and values**, often viewed in sociology **as biased or distorted to favor certain groups and prevent change.** - Describing a belief system as an ideology typically **implies it is factually or morally** **wrong.**

Answer 75

Marxists see **religion as a way of maintaining class divisions** and oppressing the proletariat. They think it **stops people from clearly comprehending their class situations.** *(mysical fog - lenin- fcc)* - the idea that equality will never work - victim blaming ideas about poverty **neo-marxist** *differs* - ***organic intellectual***s - **challenges** the **hegomony** of the **ruiling classes** **HEGEMONY** + **REVOLUTION** = if they were aware they would revolt but ***Gramsci*** syas that **the wc can develop to have a dual class consciousness.** aware of the exploitaion - but can not change anything about - **need capitasism and a means for survuvial**

Answer 76

- Feminist theorists tend to be critical of **religion because of its patriarchal foundations**. **Simone de Beauvoir** argued **in the 1950s that religion reinforces gender roles within the household**, and **traps women in the domestic side of family life.** - **Paul *Marks*** describes how ideas from **science have been used to justify and exclusivity**. - there are numerous examples from wide range of religions of **the ideas that women are ritually impure** = this has given a **rise of purification rituals such as 'churchng' after a women has gievn birth** = some churches may not recieve communion. **However**, **not all elemnts of religious beleif systens subordinate women**. E.G. **Matriachal relgion with female deities, new age - spirituality - goddess religion - Hinduism etc.** - offer alternative spirtuality

Answer 77

- According to functionalism, **religion contributes to social solidarity** and **integration** and **adds value to people's lives**. It helps people **cope with stress and gives their lives meaning.** - could be a source of conflict (anomie) - In modern societies (**secular**) people may be **willing to see themselves as part of a nation**. (**E.G. Hinduism in India - ultra-nationalism)** **maxrist view** - nationalism is form to **promote fcc** - **divide** ppl **against** us in **other capiatlsit countries** - a form of '***divide and rule'***

Religion in society Flashcards

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