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Beliefs 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

secularisation- britain

what is seculariation wilson?

A

the process whereby religious beliefs, practices and institutions lose social significance

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2
Q

secularisation- britain

what are the stats for church attendance today?

A
  • there has been a decline
  • in england and wales it has fallen from 40% in mid 19th cent to 10-15% by 1960s
  • church weddings,baptisms and sunday school has also declined= britain is a secualr society
  • the 2006 english church census= attendances at the church of england and catholic curch= declined more than smaller organistaions
  • baptisms- of older children for entry into good schools rather than commitent to christianity
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3
Q

secularisation- britain

what is religous affiliation and the stats?

A

a persons membership or identification with a religion
there is a continuing decline in this e.g the % of adults with no religion rose from 1/3 to 1/2 (1983 vs2014)
* Christianity= sharpest decline in Anglicans, Catholics increased slight due to east europe migration
* those belonging to non-christian religions aslo increased due to migration e.g Islam

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4
Q

secularisation- britain

what is the religious institutions theory?

A

also been a decline in the influence of religion as a social institution
* state has taken over many of the function religions used to perform e.g education, health etc religion= confided to private sphere

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5
Q

secularisation- explanations

what is the rationalisation explanation- weber?

A

the process of rational thinking and acting replace religous ways
* this was started by the protestant reformation by martin luther
* before this the world was seen as enchanted- God and Angels were present on the world and were responsible for the events happening humans would influence this by praying fasting etc

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6
Q

secularisation- explanations linked to rationalisation

what is the disenchantement explanation- weber?

A

the PR brough a new worldview
* God was seen as existing beyond or outside the world- although he created it he did not intervene in it but instead left it to run according to laws of nature
* this lead humans to use reason and science to discover the laws of nature- to understand and predict how to the world worls and to control it through tech
* the PR= not using religion anymore to understand the world but using rationality instead

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7
Q

secularisation- explanations

what is the technological worldview-bruce?

A

the growth of a new technological worldview has largely replaced religious or supernatural explanation for why things happen
* religious explanations only survive in areas where tech is least effective

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8
Q

secularisation- explanations

what is the structural differentiation explanation-parsons?

A

a process of specialism that occurs within the development of industrial society- religion dominated in preindustrial society but when industrialisation happened has become smaller and nore specialised institution

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9
Q

secularisation- explanations

what are the two things that structural differentiation lead to-parsons?

A
  1. disengagement- religions functions are transfered to other institutions and becomes disconnected from wider society
  2. privitisation- becaus eof disengaement it has now become confided to the private sphere
    * even where religion does continue to perform functions- has to conform to secular state ( do not identify with specific religion)
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10
Q

secularisation- explanations

what is the social and cultural diversity explanation- parsons

A
  1. decline of community- move from pre to industrial society brings this= decline of religion, pre= shared values through collective worship but the move= lost its hold and vitality over people
  2. industrialisation- has undrmined the consensus of religious beliefs that hold small rural communities together= communities that are diverse with beliefs and values
  3. diversity of occupations,cultures and lifestyles- these undermine religion (funcs)- the belief that there are alternatives has done this
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11
Q

secularisation- explanations

what is the religious diversity explanation- berger?

A

instead of there being only one religious organisation and one interpritaion of truth there are now many
* sacred canopy- in MA there was only one version of the truth that was never questioned (Catholics) but PR changed this no church can claimt he monoploy of truth= society no longer under canopy
* plausibility structure- this creates a crisis of credability- the reason why people find religion believable= become relative rather than absolute

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12
Q

secularisation- explanations

how does the cultural defence and transition explanation go against secularisation- bruce?

A
  • CD- religion provides a focal point for th edefence of national ethnic, local or group indentity in struggle against external force
  • CT- religion provides support and a sense of community for ethnic groups
  • e.g for african, irsish , caribbean etc religion has performs similar functions during migration to usa
  • religion survives because it is a focus for group identity
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13
Q

secularisation- america

what are the stats for declining church attendance?

A
  • has been stable at 40% since 1940- but studies have shown this isnt true if true churches would be full but are not
  • hadaway et al- counted heads at service + interviewed= level of attendance was 83% higher (interviewees) than reserachers estimates
  • bruce argued a stable self report attendance has masked a declien in actual attendance
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14
Q

secularisation- america

what is secularisation from within?

A

american religion has remained popular by becoming less religious- purpose of religionhas changed from seekign salvation to seeking personal improvement

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15
Q

secularisation- america

what is the religious diveristy theory?

A

this growth has contributed to secularisation from within
* church goaers are becoming less dogmatic in their views= trend towards practical relativism acceptance that others are entitled to hold beliefs that are diff to their own
* counter- to PR= erosion of absolutism= we now live in a society where many hold views that are completely diff to ours= undermines our assumption that our own views are absolutely true

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16
Q

religion, renewal and choice

what have critics said about secularisation?

A
  • religion is simply changing
  • religion is only declining in europe
  • diversity encourages greater involvement in religion
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17
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is from obligation to consumption- davie?

A

in todays late modernity we are seeing major religious changes
past= obliged to go to catholic church but now no longer case religion = personal choice

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18
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is believing without belonging-davie?

A

people still hold religious beliefs but dont belong to organisations

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19
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is vicarious religion?

A

religion practised by active minority on behalf of majority= expericence religion second hand
* churches are like the nhs= there for anyone who needs it
* sec threory assumes modernity affects every society in same way= decline but not true there are multiple modernities= diff paterns of religion

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20
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is spiritual shopping- hervieu legar?

A

religion is now individualised= people have now developed their own beliefs that give meaning to our lives and fit with our intrests- due to choice

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21
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what are the two new types emerging- hervieu legar?

A

pilgrims- follow an individul path in search for self discovery
converts- join religious groups that offer a strong sense of belonging usually share ethnic background
* as a result= religion no longer acts as a source of collective identity- related to late modernity

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22
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is post modern religion- lyon?

A
  • argues that traditional religion is giving way to a variety of new religious forms
  • there are a variety of features that are changing the nature of religion e.g globalistaion, increased importance of the media and communications, the growth of consumerism
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23
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is post modern religion- globalistaion, media and religion part lyon?

A
  • has led to increase in movements of ideas and beliefs across national boundries
  • this is due to the media= saturated us with images and messages around the globe, compressing time and space
  • religious ideas= disembeded- the media lift them out of physical churches and move them to differnet places in time
  • resul= deinstitutionalised- detached from its place in religious institutions, floating in cyberspace
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24
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is post modern religion- online religion and religion online part lyon?

A

RO- where religious organisations use the internet to address members or convers e.g mormons
OR- form of cyber eligion that may not have no existence outside the internet= sense of community no hierarchy

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25
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is religious consumerism?

A

people make conscious choices of which elements of religions that they find useful and use the practices to benifit themsleves= religion has not been completely abandoned
* led to loss of faith in metanarratives= weakens trad religions

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26
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is the re-enchantment of the world- lyon?

A

critique of sec theory- assuming that religion is in decline and being replaced by rational scientific thinking
* now in a period of re- the growth of unconventional beliefs and practicies and spirituallity
* there is growth of non trad religions in west despite decline in trad religions

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27
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what is spiritual revolution?

A

traditional christianity is giving way to holistic spitituality or new age spiritual beliefs + practices- emphasise personal development

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28
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what was the study of kendal- part of spiritual revolution?

A

investigation of whether trad religion is declined and how far has spirituality growth compensated if so
* two groups
* the holistic milieu- spititual + new age
* the congregation domain- trad and evangelical christianity

29
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religion

what was the study of kendal findings- part of spiritual revolution?

A
  • week- 8% pop went to church, 2%- holictic milieu activities
  • congregational domain- trad churches loosing support although evangeical church holding their own
  • holistic milieu= growing but fewer involved
30
Q

religion, renewal and choice- new forms of religionw

what was the explanations woodhead gave for the kendal project findings?

A
  1. new age spirituallity has grown because of a massive subjective turn in todays culture- **shift to self exploration **
  2. trad religions are declining because of this as dictating how individual should behave is out of culture of somehting that **emphasises seeking own answers **
  3. evangelical churches are more successful than trad becasue they emphasise the importance of spiritual healing and personal growth
31
Q

religion, renewal and choice- religious market theory

what do stark and bainbridge say about sec theory?

A

there was no golden age of religion in the past+ not relistic to predict a future end point for religion when everyone will eb atheist

32
Q

religion, renewal and choice- religious market theory

what are the two assumptions that this is based on?

A
  • people are naturally religious- religion meets human needs= demand for religions stays constant
  • it human nature to seek rewards and avoid costs- makign choices= weigh costs+ benifits of diff options- religion offers this
33
Q

religion, renewal and choice- religious market theory

why is religion attractive?

A

provides us with compensators- when real rewards are scarce or unatainable, religion compensates by promising supernatural ones including
cycle of renewal- when religion declines something else fills gap
religious compentition- as one religion declines there is gap left= another religion fills this gap becomes continuing cycle

34
Q

religion, renewal and choice- religious market theory

what is the america vs europe theory?

A

in USA- religion thrives there becuase there have never been a religious monopoly always been a variety of donominations to chose from= growth of healthy religious market where religions grow or decline according to consumer demand
WHEREAS in EUROPE- many countries were dominated by an official state chruch= religious monopoly= lack of choice= religious decline

35
Q

religion, renewal and choice- religious market theory

what is the conclusion that ST and BA come to?

A

main factor affecting religious participation is the supply of religion not demand- participation increases when there is ample supply but declines when supply is restricted- but not universal in all societies as suggested by sec

36
Q

religion, renewal and choice- religious market theory

what are some examples suporting ST nad BAs conclusion?

A
  • growth of evangelical megachurches- most in USA but some in South Korea and other places= have lavish resources to offer a large range of activities etc
  • growth of televangilism- in us shows that the level of religous participation is supply-led
37
Q

religion, renewal and choice- alt view sec+ securutiy

what do norris and inglehart say?

A

religious market theory only applies to america failing to explain variations of religiosity between diff societies

38
Q

religion, renewal and choice- alt view sec+ security

what is the existential security theory?

A

the reason for diffs in religiosity bwteen socs is due to this- the feeling that survival is secure enough that it can be taken for granted
in poor societies- high levels of insecurity= high levels of religiosity
in richer societies- high standard of living + less at risk= great sense of security= lower levels of religiosity
demand is grater in poorer socs because less secure
the majority of the world are becoming more religious

39
Q

religion, renewal and choice- alt view sec+ security

what is the eu vs us theory?

A

in west europe- trend in sec this is because they are th emost secure and equal in the world with well developed welfare states giving health care etc= poverty life risk reduced
in united states- remains more religious because it is the most unequal rich society, with inadequate welfare stafety and individualistc values= high levels of poverty + insecurity= greater need for religion

40
Q

religion, renewal and choice- alt view sec+ security

what is the link between state welfare and religiosity?

A

reserachers found that the more a country spends on welfare the lower religious participation levels = eu more secular than us
but because the state do not completely meet need for security- does not answer ultimate questions about meaning of life like religion

41
Q

theories of religion- marxism

what is the arguement religion as ideology?

A

religion is a feature of the class division in society- would be lost when workers unite against capitalism
the r.c use religion to control the w.c to prevent them from revolting
* they use religion to legitimate their suffering is virtuous will be favoured in afterlife = false class consiousness ( disorted view of reality preventing change)

42
Q

theories of religion- marxism

what is the religion and alienation arguement?

A

religion is product of alienation - under capitalism workers are alienated because they do not own what they produce and have no control over production process
* turn to religion as a drug that duls the pain exploitation but this only maks but doesnt treat issue
* religion promises afterlife as better than what they go through now taking attention away from the true source of suffering

43
Q

theories of religion- feminism

what is the religion and patriarchy arguement?

A

religion legitimises female subordination through:
religious organistion sare mainly male dominated- women forbiden to be priests
places of worshiop often segregate sexes and marginalise women- restricted participation taboos around mensturation, pregnacy childbirth e.g in Islam not able to pary during period
sacred texts largely feature the doings of male gods and prophets e.g anti-female sterotypes like eve is the cause fall in humanitys fall from grace
religious laws and customs- give fewer rights to women compared to men, dress code decision making, bans on abortion etc

44
Q

theories of religion- feminism

what are some religious forms of feminism-linda woodhead?

A

critises feminists explanations as there are forms of this e.g women wearing the hijab west feminists see this as a symbol of oppression but actualy for them it is symbol of liberation for Muslim women ( in order to gain approval to further education like employment)

45
Q

theories of religion- feminism

what are some other religious forms of feminism?

A

women using religion to gain status and respect for their roles within the private sphere e.g brusco- belonging to pentecoastal groups can be empowering for some women despite the strong belief in trad roles e.g men have to respect women= women power to influence mens behaviour

46
Q

theories of religion- feminism

what are piety movements and liberal protestant organisations?

A
  • conservative movements that support traditional teachings about womens roles,modest dress prayer etc but this is mostly m.c women
  • commited to gender equality and women play leading roles
47
Q

theories of religion- functionalism

what is parsons view on religion?

A

religion helps individuals ro cope with unforseen events and uncontrolable outcomes two essential functions are:
* creating and legitimising societys centeral values- as sacred = value consensus promoted= social stability
* provides a sense of meaning by answering ultimate questions- tets of faith = ensures social stability

48
Q

theories of religion- functionalism

what is civil religion- bellah?

A

what unifies american society is this-belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself
this intergrates society in a way that many of th edenominations and churches in america cannot
e.g loyalty to the state and belief in God expressed through pledging aledigence to flag

49
Q

theories of religion- functionalism

what is the psychological functions of religion malinowski?

A

religion performs social solidarity by helping individuals cope with emotional stress that would undermine social solidarity- the two situations religion does this is:
* when the outcome is important but uncontrollable and uncertain- trobiand islands fishing when in lagoon= safe nothing done but ocean fishing= deangerous so performed canoe magic to ensure safety = sense of control ritual as serving God of gaps
* at times of life crises- like birth marriage and death can disrupt social groups but religion minimises this4

50
Q

theories of religion- functionalism

what are the cognitive functions of religion- durkheim?

A

religion is the reason why we can think conceptually and reasonablly
we need to understand and and know things like time, cause and space- religion helps with this as it is the origin of them without we would not be able to understand the world

51
Q

theories of religion- functionalism

what is th esacred and profane- durkheim?

A

the key feature of religion is th edistinction between these
sacred- things that are forbbiden inspire awe and fear surrounded by taboos
profane- things that have no special meaning or significance ordinary and mundane
when society worship sacred symbols= worship society

52
Q

theories of religion- functionalism

what is the theory of totenism- durkheim?

A

the aboriginal australlians worshiped this- was a symbol of their identity when they worship the totem they are worshiping society

53
Q

theories of religion- functionalism

what is collective conscience-durkheim?

A

the shared n+v and beliefs that males socal life and coopreation between individuals possible
regular shared religious rituals reinforce the collective conscience and maintain social intergration - by making us feel part of something greater than oursleves

54
Q

Religion and social change

what was webers of religion as a force of change?

A

religious beliefs of the Calvinists helped bring about major social change- modern capitalism
* capitalism= based on rational pursit of profit for its own sake rather than about consumption= spirit of capitalism

55
Q

Religion and social change

what were some Calvinist beliefs-weber?

A

predestination- God has already chosen which souls will be saved this cannot be altered
divine transendance- nobody knows Gods will he is afr and beyond this world = greater than any mortal
acetism- self denial, frugal
idea of calling- serving God
the impact this had was welath allowed them to cope with Salvation panic+ allwooed them to systematically build up their wealth

56
Q

Religion and social change

what is the Hindusim and Confuciansism theory-weber?

A

China and India were materially more advanced than Europe but capitalism did not take off there
this is because there was a lack of religious belief system like Calvinism but
* ancient India Hindusim was an astetic religion but their orientation was diff- directed followers away from material world and to spiritual world instead
* in Confucianism also discouraged growth of rational capitalism irected followers to material world but not ascetic
* both could not accumalate wealth like Calvinism

57
Q

religion and social change- social protest

what was the link between religion and the civil right movement- bruce?

A
  • the black clergy were the backbone of the movement- played a role in giving support and moral legitimacy to the activists
  • ways that religious organistaions brought about change was:
  • taking the moral high ground pointing out hipocrisy of the with clergy
  • chanelling dissent
  • acting as an honset broker
  • mobalising public opinion
  • they achieved their goal because it shared the same values as wider society and those in power e.g all women and men are born equal
58
Q

religion and social change- social protest

what was the link between religion and the new Christian right movement- bruce?

A
  • political moral and conservative
  • aim- bring America back to God and make abortion, homosexuality divore etc illegal believe strongly in trad gender roles teach creationism instead of evolutionism
  • were unsuccessful because- they did not cooperate with people from other eligions and lacked widespread support met with strong opposition
59
Q

religion and social change

what is the link between marxism, religion and change?

A
  • marists- religion can have relative autonomy- a force of change and stability not just benifiting capitalism but also challegning it
60
Q

religion and social change-marxism, religion and change

what is blochs principle of hope?

A

religion has a dual character- both positive and negative influence and social change
* accepts religion inhibits change but- can inspire protest and rebellion- our dreams of a better life that contain images of utopia

61
Q

religion and social change-marxism, religion and change

what is liberation theology?

A
  • movement- that emerged within the Catholic church in Latin America
  • priets began to speak up for the poor as the right-wing military dictatorship showed no support for them
  • this saw the priests develop a new theology which interpreted the Christianity in a way which sided with poor and oppressed groups in the society. Which then later saw arguments increase that power and wealth should be distributed more evenly across society
  • a factor that led to this was deepening rural proverty and growth of urban slums
62
Q

religion and social change-marxism, religion and change

what is the diff between pentecostalism and liberation theology?

A

p= offers an option iof the poor for individuals to pull themselves out of poverty through their own efforts supported by congregation
lt= offers an option for the poor od community consiousness rasing an dcommunity campaigning for social change thus offering radical solution to poverty

63
Q

religion and social change-marxism, religion and change

what are miltarin movements?

A
  • Millenarian movements describe the belief in judgement day and the end of the world
  • Worsley (1968) noted that beliefs included heaven on Earth, a life free from pain, death and sin, groups were to be saved not individuals
  • The appeal of millenarian movements was largely to the poor as they believed after their lifetimes of being oppressed would be rewarded in immediate gratification
  • Many native ‘**cargo cults’ **who performed millenarian movements against the colonials who stole their material good and land were the first ‘pre-political’ group who used this view of religion to fuel their protests and spread their views
64
Q

religion and social change-marxism, religion and change

what is the link between gramsci, religion and hegemony

A
  • hegemony- the way that the rulling class use ideas like religion to maintain control- this is guaranteed in society due to how the lower classes can create their own counter hegemony to challenge the ruling classes
  • sees religion as a dual character- challenge and support r.c popular forms of religion can help to see through r.c hegemony by offering a vision of a beter world
  • clergy = organic intellectuals- help workers to see the situation they are in and support w.c organisations
65
Q

religion and social change-marxism, religion and change

what is religion and class conflict- billings?

A
  • coal minners and textile workers- both w.c and evangelical protestant nut miners= more militant pushed for change but textile workers accpted the status quo
66
Q

religion and social change-marxism, religion and change

what were the three ways in which religion either supported or challenged th eemployers hegmony- billings?

A

leadership- miners benifited from organic intellectuals leadership
organistaion- miners able to use independent churches to hold meetings etc workers lacked this
support- minners churches kept thei rmoral high with supportive sermons etc but workers- met with oppostion with local church leaders when doing activites
conclude that religion can play a prominet oppostional role- same religion can lead to justifying status quo or challenging

67
Q

religion and social change

how can religion be seen as a conservattive force?

A
  • being traditional, defending traditional customs institutionsmoral views, roles etc
  • functions to consevre or preserve things as they are
68
Q

religion and social change

what are two exmaples of trad conservative beliefs held by religions?

A
  • many oppose change that would allow individuals more freedom
  • most of them uphold family and favour a trad patriarchal domestic division of labour
69
Q

religion and social change

what do marxists feminists and functionalists say about religion as a conservative force?

A

all of them argue that religion contributes to social stability- despite diffs
* functionalists- see religion as a conservative force because it functions to maintain social stability and prevent society from disintergrating
* marxists and feminists- see religion as an ideology that supports and acts as a means of social control, creating stability in th eintrests of the powerful= help maintain status quo preventing les spowerful from changing things

Sociology (12 decks)

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