All Sociologists Flashcards
Aldridge
Social constructionist
For its followers, scientology is a religion, despite several govs denying it legal status as a religion and sought to ban it
This shows that definitions of religion can be contested and are influenced by this who have power to define the situation
Abercrombie
Criticises Marx Religion does not necessarily function effectively as ideology to control the population. In pre capitalist society, while Christianity was a major element of ruling class ideology, it only had limited impact on the peasantry.
Althusser
Religion is promoted by the bourgeoise in order to pass on the dominant ideological state apparatus
Armstrong
As Catholicism and Orthodox Judaism forbid women priests - this is proof of marginalisation.
Early religions placed women at the centre (mother goddesses, fertility, priesthood) yet the rise in monotheistic religions were mostly male
Bauman
Postmodern
There is a ‘crisis of meaning’ in our society
Secularisation led to a decline in meta narratives
Therefore new age movements have more of a place now than ever - the vacuum is being filled by new and diverse types of religiosity
Bellah - golden age
As our postmodern society is individualistic, people do not feel the social pressures of the ‘golden age’ to attend church
Bloch
Marxist
Religion is an expression of ‘the principle of hope’, our dreams of a better life, or utopia.
Images of utopia can deceive people with promises of rewards in heaven.
However, this may help people to see what needs to be changed in this world - if combined with effective political leadership, can bring about social change
Berger
Pentecostalism acts as the ‘functional equivalent’ to the Protestant ethic
Beyer
The impact of globalisation:
- marginalisation: religion no longer in politics or public life
- particularism: religion used by groups who feel threatened by globalisation - sense of identity (fundamentalism)
- universalism: results in understanding of common values between religions (religious environmentalism, protecting a god created world)
Brown
Women’s attendance in church has declined due to the pressures of home, work, and family emotions as a result of their triple shift
Bruce - loss of importance
Science and rational explanations are undermining religion, with less place in our postmodern society
Religion becomes less important as some of its previous functions are taken over (the moral support from priests now comes from therapists)
Bruce - ethnicity
Cultural transition
To south Asians who immigrated to the uk, their religion acted as a support mechanism, allowing them to establish their faiths and share their culture
Bruce - social change
Studies the relationship between religion and social change, comparing the role of religiously inspired protest movements in America: civil rights and the new Christian Right
Comte
Science is the final stage in the development of human thought - modern society would become dominated by science, not religion
Daly
Feminist
Christianity is a patriarchal myth, it eliminates other goddess religions
Crockett
In 1850, more than 40% of adults in Britain attended church on Sundays
This contributed to the view of the 19th century as the ‘golden age’ of religion
Bruce - NRMs
Men are more interested in NRMs that advocate elitist knowledge Women are more interested in new science, ecology, and spirituality Cults are primarily middle class as they fulfil spiritual needs for people who have little financial pressure
Engels
Marxist
Although religion inhibits change by disguising inequality, it can also change the status quo and encourage social change
Davie - against secularisation
Believing without belonging
People may not attend church because of their lifestyle, even though they believe in god
Church attendance does not tell anything about belief
Eisenstaedt
Contradicts weber
Capitalism occurred in catholic countries like Italy way before the Protestant reformation
Gramsci
Domination of ruling class ideology as hegemony - no one questions common sense, therefore no one questions their right to rule
Heelas
Postmodern
religion fills the void that comes with lack of community in our society
Holm
The devaluation of women in religion:
- segregation by gender
- women’s participation restricted: not allowed to preach, participate in rituals etc
- taboos about menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth as polluting
Davie - ethnic minorities
Identification with a religious organisation is important to those from west and South Asia in the UK because it gives a sense of cultural identity and a feeling of belonging
El Saadawi
Religion is not the direct cause of women’s subordination
Male domination and the interpretation of religion leads to the oppression of women
Rules regarding sexuality and dress are not associated with religion, but with men’s increasing control over it
Women had a high status in ancient religion
Islam developed to be patriarchal - the men used religion to control women
Glock and Stark
The gender difference in NRMs is because deprivation (social, physical, mental) is disproportionately experienced by women
Greeley
Caring for the family increases religiosity