Belief Systems and Ideologies Flashcards
What is the definition of a belief system?
A belief system is a system in which members of the group share a commitment to a set of beliefs and values that defines a way of perceiving the social, cultural, physical and psychological world. Belief systems can be categorised as religious and non-religious. Both have rituals, symbols, stories, traditions and customs.
I.e. Ideas individuals believe in as the truth and can be based on experience or reflection.
What is the definition of an ideology?
An ideology is a an organised collection of ideas that reflects the beliefs, values and interests of a group, system, institution or nation. Generally, the term refers to the body of doctrine, myth and symbols held by the group that guides individual and group actions.
I.e. Collection of ideas that reflect beliefs, values and interests of a group.
What are three examples of a belief system?
Christianity, Buddhism and Indigenous Spiritualities
What are three examples of an ideology?
Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy
What are three key differences between a belief system and an ideology?
Hint: How do you become an official member? How is it structured? Do they have a higher being?
Entry rituals - A belief system typically requires a ritual to be performed to be a part of the belief system, e.g. Christianity requires a Baptism, however an ideology does not need an entry ritual.
Structure - A belief system is typically more structured as there is either a person/group in control, whereas for ideologies, there isn’t a certain person/group in control of the ‘whole’ ideology
Acknowledgement of a Higher being - There is a belief in the supernatural or at least a ‘Higher Being’ in a belief system, whereas an ideology doesn’t really believe in a supernatural.
What are three similarities between a belief system and an ideology?
Both produce world views
Both affects the behaviours of individuals
Both have written texts - Many belief systems have religious texts which adherents rely on. I.e. The Bible, Quran, Sutra. In Ideologies, there are also some written texts which set out the ideas that reflect a certain ideology. I.e. Communist Manifesto, Wealth of Nations (Capitalism)
What is a religion?
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
What is a ritual?
A series of actions and/or rites performed in a specific order
What is the nature of belief systems and ideologies? (i.e. what is it reliant on?)
Belief systems and ideologies arise from the environment in which people live and the time they live in. It is in these environments that the shared values that underpin belief systems and ideologies arise. These values provide meaning, purpose and identity for individuals and groups
Why are our values important?
This is because our values are like glue, which holds us and our groups together. I.e. an individual who values honesty will find meaning and identity in being honest even when everyone else is being dishonest
In other words, a value will allow an individual to find meaning, purpose and identity
Why are SHARED values important?
Because in a group where the group shares a certain religious or ideological value will find meaning, purpose and identity even if they are being prosecuted
How does the environment impact beliefs and ideologies and give an example
Some beliefs and ideologies are as a response to the physical world which people live in. Generally, these religions turn environments into a sacred space.
A key example of this is the Indigenous Aboriginal religion and belief that the environment is a sacred space
What is the main difference between religious and non-religious belief systems(commonly referred to as ideologies) ?
Religious belief systems focusses on the belief of a god(s), whilst non-religious (ideologies) are normally ‘godless’ or have a neutral position on the existence of a god. However this is not too accurate, for example Buddhism rejects idea of belief in a god
How do values create meaning, purpose and identity for individuals and groups?
Connection with religion and spirituality and meaning of life, creates a meaning for you to do good deeds, moral and ethical guidance to help determine behaviour, determines lifestyle etc. provide morals and ethics basically. Dictates how you make behaviours
(find official meaning)
E.g. A white supremacy value will make you more violent to others not white (identity), importance on white supremacy and may drive to do extreme actions
Knowing your values will dictate how you behave, and thus your identity as your identity is essentially ‘what you are’, and you are your actions. Values will dictate the importance you place on certain things (meaning), and may drive you to do certain things.
What are ways that belief systems and ideologies express values and beliefs? (Other than just preaching them) (5)
They use texts, iconography (use of visual images), legislation, imagery, rituals or customs.
A less popular and more extreme way of expressing values and beliefs is through violence i.e. ISIS
How are the values and beliefs of Catholicism expressed on the micro, meso and macro scales
Macro - Catholicism and Catholic values are commonly represented in films and books, allowing many of its values to be known. It is also through the sacred text of the Bible
Meso (being institutions) -Through decoration, iconography, and rituals, churches communicate a reverence of God. Examples include images of crucifixion in windows, images of saints. Rituals conducted also remind believers of God’s love and sacrifice for humans i.e. communion. Missionaries.
Micro (Being the person) - Catholics signal faith on micro level through icons and images, i.e. signs of the cross in their homes or on themselves, as well as their attendance of Mass
How are the values and beliefs of Communism (Russia) expressed in the micro, meso and macro scales?
Macro - Use of propaganda images to illustrate class struggle. Use of legislation and terrorism to show hatred of the bourgeoisie (expressing belief)
Meso (being institutions) - Organisations such as Young Pioneers dedicated to young people urged activism for communism and trains them in Soviet values. Young people in Russia were encouraged to read books by approved Soviet authors and reject traditional values of religions
Micro (being the person)- Parents show contempt for bourgeois institution of family by treating young children as adult strangers. Children aren’t shown love or affection and had to take care of themselves (i.e. prepare own meals and buy their own clothes). At home, religious icons were removed in favour of Communist heroes, there is also a lack of owning luxurious things and many followers of the movement lived in uncomfortable housing
What is a hierarchy?
A hierarchy is the arrangement of people, places or objects in orders that show importance. Both belief systems and ideologies have this.
