4. Religion and Non-religion Flashcards
Define: Animism
belief that there are active spirits in nature and that all natural things in the world have a soul (e.g. Shintoism)
Define: Polytheism
belief in many gods and goddesses which possess individual powers. Adherents visit shrines in temples and provide offerings (e.g. Hinduism)
Define: Monotheism
belief in one God, who is supreme and creator over all (e.g. Christianity)
Examine Emile Durkheim and his understanding of the place of religion
Emile Durkheim was a 19th century sociologist who believed in the value of religion as a way of thinking. He saw science and religion as complementary binaries. He believed that the most insightful understanding of religion is to consider it from an objective POV and by considering the sacred and the profane
Evaluate the impact of religion in offering meaning and purpose for the individual
- religions are able to answer the ‘great questions of the human existence’
- provides a sense of identity and belonging in a community
- gives a sense of purpose and responsibility in life (i.e., Hindus seek to live moral lives to escape reincarnation)
- provides a holistic sense of spiritual, mental, physical and emotional wellbeing
Evaluate the contribution of religions to social cohesion
- religion is a powerful force in bringing society together as it can play the role of ‘umpire’ in some disputes
- they can provide a legal system or a system of regulations (ie. Australian colonisation)
- religions provide welfare to the impoverished (i.e. Jewish Ozharvest)
- religions also provide social disharmony through the contrasting beliefs between itself and secular society, and itself and other religions
Evaluate the contribution of religion to social transformation
- Many countries are founded on religious beliefs, which influence the origins of a country
- Religions invite education and instruction of growing moral and social issues
- Also bring negative transformations due to conservative beliefs
Describe the rise of New Age religions
As societies change with new ideas, some individuals find that their religious system is not adequate and thus seek alternate forms of expression. The rise of new religious expression is often driven by the pressures of social crisis. The basis of this movement is a wariness of traditional religions and a focus on spirituality rather than ‘religion’. Often involves syncretism
Outline Rastafarianism as an example of a New Age religion
Rastafarianism is based on the writings of Marcus Garvey and views the Ethiopian emperor, Haile Selassie as the Messiah. They have a complex set of beliefs due to the understanding that Africans are the descendants of the tribes of Israel, whilst ‘white’ races are the descendants of Babylon. They thus adopt the laws of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Their belief in the goodness of God’s creation further motivate them them to smoke cannabis as a sacrament.
Describe how new age religions contribute to the search for personal fulfilment
- New religions are often attractive to individuals who feel ‘out of place’ with traditional religions
- Individuals find that New Age religions are better able to respond and adapt to changing social values, whilst religions remain unchanged
- Rastafarianism provides adherents with a sense of identity and community
Describe how the rise of new age religions contribute to seeking ethical guidelines
- new religious expressions are better able to adapt to social changes, whilst traditional religions do not readily change
- they have open and flexible form of religious expression which can more easily adapt to social values, which may better align with their own
Describe how the rise of new age religions contribute to seeking to clarify one’s relationship with society
- new religious expressions allow one to escape from mainstream society. They are motivated by social issues, which are better able to be explored outside of traditional religions
- Adherents seek answers outside of traditional religions
- Traditional religions don’t always give a supportive community
Explain how the rise of materialism has influenced the growth of new religious expressions
Materialism is the ideology in which individuals value and find their identity in their personal property, as opposed as to in devotion to religion or relationship with others. This belief causes individuals to evade from traditional religions which discourage this, and turn towards other forms of expression
Explain how scientific progress has lead to new forms of religious expression
A progression of religious understanding has caused more individuals to doubt the authenticity and necessity of religion. Professor Eric Sharp believed that as science continues to broaden our understanding of the world, people are less likely to need ‘the magical’ explanation of the world that religion offers.
Explain how the growth of ecological awareness has lead to new forms of religious expressions
An ecological awareness is an individual’s particular value and focus in maintaining and preserving the environment. As traditional religions whilst may value the preservation of the world, is not centrally focussed on it. As a result, individuals seek new forms of religious expression which allow them to find greater focus on ecology
