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theories Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the main function of religion?

A

To help maintain the ruling class’s power and legitimize inequality.

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2
Q

What term did Lenin use to describe religion’s role in society?

A

Spiritual Gin.

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3
Q

How does religion mislead the proletariat?

A

It suggests that their suffering is inevitable and god-given, creating a false consciousness.

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4
Q

What biblical reference illustrates the difficulty for the rich to enter heaven?

A

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

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5
Q

What does the hymn ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ suggest about social hierarchy?

A

It implies that God made the rich and poor and ordered their estate.

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6
Q

How does Lenin view the ruling class’s use of religion?

A

He believes they use it cynically to manipulate the masses and prevent rebellion.

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7
Q

What similarities do Engels find between socialism and Christianity?

A

Both target the poor and offer a better life, but Christianity promises salvation in the afterlife while socialism offers it in this life.

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8
Q

alienation

A

Marx argued that religion is a form of alienation, where people create an all-powerful being that controls them, thus surrendering their autonomy and denying their true humanity.

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9
Q

How does religion make suffering appear virtuous?

A

It suggests that the poor are more ‘Godly’ than the rich, thus glorifying their suffering.

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10
Q

What is the promise of an afterlife meant to provide?

A

Hope for supernatural intervention and a reason to endure current misery.

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11
Q

What does Marx mean by ‘Religion is the opium of the masses’?

A

Religion dulls the pain of oppression and exploitation, offering a temporary high through promises of a better afterlife.

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12
Q

List three ways that religion is like opium

A
  1. Dulls the pain of exploitation without addressing its cause
  2. Provides a distorted worldview without solutions to earthly misery
  3. Creates a temporary high during rituals similar to opium
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13
Q
  1. Provides a distorted worldview without solutions to earthly misery
A
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14
Q
  1. Creates a temporary high during rituals similar to opium
A
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15
Q

What do the Functionalists argue about religion that Marxist views ignore?

A

They highlight the positive functions of religion.

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16
Q

How do Neo-Marxists view certain forms of religion?

A

They see them as assisting, rather than hindering, the development of class consciousness.

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17
Q

What is Althusser’s critique of the concept of alienation?

A

He rejects it as unscientific and a romantic notion of people having a true self.

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18
Q

What do Abercrombie, Hill, and Turner argue about religion’s role in pre-industrial society?

A

They suggest that religion did not function as an ideology to control the population for e.g. Christianity had little impact on the peasantry md still was a major element for r/c ideology.

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19
Q

What does reflexivity mean in the postmodernist view of religion?

A

It means continually re-evaluating ideas and theories, with nothing fixed or permanent.

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20
Q

What is disembedding in the context of postmodernism?

A

It refers to the breakdown of geographical borders, allowing interaction without face-to-face contact, making it more impersonal.

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21
Q

What does cultural amnesia refer to in postmodern society?

A

It signifies the loss of traditional religions handed down through generations, as parents allow children to choose their own belief systems.

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22
Q

What characterises a pluralist society?

A

A pluralist society is diverse, where people believe in different things and tolerate each other’s beliefs, even if they do not match their own.

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23
Q

What is the postmodernist critique of the monopoly of truth in religion?

A

Postmodernism argues that religion’s claim to hold a monopoly on truth is no longer acceptable because there is no absolute truth.

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24
Q

What does Lyon mean by ‘spiritual shoppers’?

A

Lyon describes individuals in a spiritual marketplace who explore different religions to find one that aligns with their personal beliefs.

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25
How have new age movements emerged in postmodern society?
Postmodernists believe traditional religions have been replaced by new age movements focusing on spirituality and self-improvement rather than devotion to a god & effecting spiritual shopping
26
What does Lyon mean by disembedding in relation to religion?
Lyon states that religion has become disembedded from organizations and cultures, allowing individuals to mix and match beliefs from various systems.
27
What is the pick and mix culture in postmodernism?
It describes how individuals actively select and choose religions based on their suitability for answering existential questions.
28
What is the functionalist view of religion according to Bellah?
Bellah argues that religion is vital for maintaining social cohesion and solidarity.
29
What is the distinction between the sacred and the profane according to Durkheim?
The sacred refers to things special due to a higher power, while the profane refers to ordinary things without special meaning.
30
What is civil religion?
Bellah
31
Civil Religion
Civil religion attaches sacred qualities to society itself, integrating various churches and religions, exemplified by loyalty to the nation-state and belief in God.
32
How does American civil religion manifest?
It is expressed through symbols and rituals like the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, emphasizing loyalty and belief in God.
33
What does Durkheim's study of the Arunta Aboriginal tribe illustrate about religion?
It shows that the essence of religion can be found in its simplest form, where clans worship a sacred totem representing their origins and identity.
34
What is the critique of postmodernism regarding the decline of traditional religions?
Postmodernists are criticized for exaggerating the decline, as new age movements are often short-lived compared to established world religions.
35
What is one example of how disembedding is overexaggerated according to critics?
For many Muslims, the mosque remains a central part of their belief system, indicating that religion is still embedded in cultural contexts.
36
What is the role of rituals in civil religion?
Rituals in civil religion, such as the pledge of allegiance, serve to integrate society and express collective values.
37
How does the concept of fluid identities relate to religion in postmodernism?
Fluid identities mean individuals may change their beliefs and affiliations, leading religions to work harder to attract and retain followers.
38
What is the significance of the totem in Durkheim's study?
The totem serves as the clan's emblem, representing their origins and identity, and is central to their religious practices.
39
What does the term 'meta narrative' refer to in the context of religion?
It refers to overarching stories or explanations that religions provide, claiming to hold the ultimate truth.
40
How do postmodernists view the competition between religions?
They believe that the multitude of alternative views leads to increased scrutiny of mainstream religious beliefs.
41
What is the impact of media on religious beliefs according to Lyon?
Religious leaders use media to publicize their beliefs, contributing to the emergence of a spiritual marketplace.
42
What does the term 'existential questions' refer to in the context of religion?
Existential questions are fundamental inquiries about existence, purpose, and meaning that individuals seek answers to through religion.
43
What is a totem in the context of clans?
A totem is the clan's emblem in the form of an animal or plant that represents the clan's origins and identity.
44
How do rituals reinforce a clan's identity?
Rituals reinforce the clan's sense of belonging and solidarity.
45
What is a collective conscience according to Durkheim?
A collective conscience is the shared norms, values, beliefs, and knowledge that make social living possible.
46
How do regular religious rituals affect social integration?
Durkheim believed that they reinforce the collective conscience and remind people of their common moral outlook.
47
What role does religion play in an individual's life according to Durkheim?
Religion helps individuals feel part of something bigger than themselves.
48
What concepts does Durkheim argue religion provides for reasoning and communication?
Religion provides concepts such as time, space, cause, substance, and number.
49
What are the two essential functions of religion identified by Parsons?
1) It creates and legitimates society's central values by sacralizing them, promoting a value consensus 2) It is a primary source of meaning, answering ultimate questions about the human condition.
50
2) It is a primary source of meaning, answering ultimate questions about the human condition.
51
How does religion help people cope with unforeseen situations according to Parsons?
Religion helps individuals make sense of events like suffering and death, maintaining societal stability.
52
What are the two types of situations where Malinowski suggests religion helps cope with emotional stress?
1) Uncontrollable and uncertain outcomes, such as dangerous ocean fishing. 2) Life crises, like birth, death, marriage, and puberty.
53
What role do rituals play during funerals according to Malinowski?
Rituals during funerals reinforce solidarity among survivors and provide comfort to the bereaved.
54
What criticism does Hamilton make regarding the study of religion?
Hamilton criticizes the neglect of negative aspects of religion, such as hate crimes and oppression.
55
How does Bloch view the dual nature of religion?
Bloch sees religion as having both positive and negative influences, acting as a conservative force while also being a potential source of social change by its ‘principal of hope’
56
What is the 'Principal of Hope' in the context of religion?
The 'Principal of Hope' can inspire followers and potentially lead to social revolution.
57
How do Neo-Marxists view religion differently from traditional Marxists?
Neo-Marxists agree that religion can exploit the poor but criticize Marxism for failing to recognize how religion can also be a cause of social change.
58
What is Liberation Theology?
Liberation Theology is a perspective that views religion as a force for social change, particularly in oppressive societies.
59
How can the church act as an outlet for frustration in dictatorial societies?
In societies where protests are illegal, the church can provide a safe outlet for the proletariat's frustrations.
60
What is the impact of religion on social inequality according to the dual nature perspective?
Religion can act as a conservative force that maintains social inequality and the status quo.
61
What is the role of clergy in promoting social change according to the dual nature of religion?
Clergy and lower church members can inspire social change by believing they can make a difference in their communities.
62
What does Durkheim argue about the origins of human thought?
Durkheim argues that religion is the origin of concepts necessary for reasoning, understanding the world, and communication.
63
What is the significance of sacralizing central values in society?
Sacralizing central values legitimates them and promotes a consensus within society.
64
What does Malinowski suggest about rituals in relation to dangerous activities?
He suggests that rituals, like 'canoe magic,' are performed before dangerous activities to cope with uncertainty.
65
How does religion help maintain social stability according to Parsons?
By providing meaning and answers to life's ultimate questions, religion helps individuals cope and maintain social stability.
66
What is a criticism of the view that religion solely maintains social order?
Critics argue that this view ignores how religion can also be a source of social division and conflict.
67
How do religious leaders act as charismatic leaders in social change?
They inspire their congregations to achieve social change and are seen as untouchable in dictatorships due to their sacred status.
68
What was the radical movement that emerged in South America in response to poverty?
Liberation theology, which encouraged people to enforce change and even use violence to overthrow oppressive dictators.
69
What happened to priests involved in the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua?
They were excommunicated by the Catholic Church for their role in the revolution.
70
What did Pope John Paul II say about liberation theology?
He rejected the theory and instructed priests to focus on their religious responsibilities.
71
Who was Camilo Torres Restrepo?
A Colombian socialist priest and predecessor of liberation theology who attempted to reconcile Marxism and Catholicism.
72
What is Mary Daly's view on religion and patriarchy?
She argues that religions maintain patriarchy by portraying male domination and that equality in religion requires acceptance of a female God.
73
What does Simone De Beauvoir argue about women's perception in religion?
She believes religion deceives women into thinking they are equal to men and rewards them for their suffering in the afterlife.
74
What is the 'stained glass ceiling' according to Karen Armstrong?
It refers to the barriers that prevent women from attaining top positions in mainstream churches.
75
What examples illustrate the portrayal of women in religious texts?
Women are often depicted negatively, such as Eve causing the fall, Delilah taking Samson's strength, and Mary Magdalene as a prostitute.
76
How are women segregated in places of worship?
Women are often placed on the periphery while men occupy central, sacred spaces and may be restricted from reading sacred texts during menstruation.
77
What was the response to the vote allowing female bishops in the Church of England?
The vote faced strong opposition from traditionalists.
78
What is Woodhead's perspective on women and religion?
She argues that women can use religion for greater freedom and respect, such as the Hijab allowing public presence without being considered immodest.
79
What commitment to gender equality exists in liberal Protestant movements?
Movements like the Quakers and Unitarians have a commitment to gender equality, with significant numbers of female ministers.
80
What does El Saadawi suggest about patriarchy in religion?
She argues that it is not religion itself that is patriarchal, but the cultures in which they exist.
81
What forms of deprivation do women face according to Stark and Bainbridge?
Women experience organismic deprivation (ill health), ethical deprivation (moral conservatism), and social deprivation (poverty), leading them to join sects and cults.
82
Why are women more likely to join sects and cults?
They offer compensators for various forms of deprivation, including health issues, moral concerns, and social poverty.

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