Beliefs and Society: Topic 2- Religion and social change Flashcards
What 2 senses can religion be seen as a conservative force?
- Defending trad norms. e.g. forbidding divorce, abortion
- Conserve/preserve things as they are in it, maintaining status quo. e.g. Family values
Durkheim
How do functionalists view religion as a conservative force?
State the point and impact.
Religion promotes sharing traditional values and norms, social solidarity. This upholds social order and control. He argues devation would lead to a dysfunctional society
How do marxists view religion as a conservative force
State the point and impact.
Religion perpetuates class inequality. Its used as an ISA, creating a false class consciousness, making them believe society is equal and fair
Beauvoir
How do feminists view religion as a conservative force?
State the point and impact.
They argue religion is used as an instrument to maintain the existing patriachal society. Its manipulated by men to oppress women in most areas in life.
What is Weber’s argument that religion is a force for change?
- He thinks religion (specifically calvinism) helped bring social change- the emergence of modern day capitalism.
- Religion helped bring modern day capitalism
What are the four calvinist beliefs?
- Predestination
- Divine transcendence
- Ascenticism
- The idea of a voaction or calling
What do calvinists argue about predestination?
God has predetermined those who will enter heaven and nothing can change it.
What do calvinists argue about divine transcendence?
God is above and beyond this world, therefore no one can claim to know his will. This created salvation panic in calvinists.
What do calvinists argue about asceticism?
This refers to self-discipline from luxury and priests devote themselves to God and prayer.
What do calvinists argue about the idea of a vocation or calling?
- The bible taughte calvinists their purpose was to glorify god by their work
- They shunned luxury and worked long hours
- As they grew wealthier they took this as a sign from god and used it to cope with salvation panic
- They reinvested money into their business- growing it
- This is the spirit of modern day capitalism
What does Weber argue about Hinduism and Confucianism in China and India?
- He argues India and China were more advanced than Europe but due to lack of religious belief, capitalissm didnt take off
- They lacked the drive to systematically accumulate wealth necessary for modern capitalism
What is an evaluation of Weber’s argument of Hinduims and Confucianism in Chine and India?
A marxist criticism
Marxists argue that capitalism was here before calvinism and that technology leads to major change.
Bruce’s argument
How did the civil rights movement religriously motivate change?
- Bruce describes the black dlergy as the backbone of the movement
- The church provided meeting places and sanctuary
- Prayer and singing were a source of unit
- Clergy was able to shame white people itno changing the law using christian values
How did the New Christian right not advocate for change?
- Their main aim was to take america ‘back to god’ and had traditional beliefs, making abortion, homosexuality, divorce illegal
- They used media, networking, raised funds to gain new members
- They lacked widespread support and met opposition from groups of freedom of choice
Why would Marx and Engels argue religion can be useful?
neo-marxist
- Religion has a dual character
- Marx saw a positive side to religion
- Religion can offer comfort, even if its illusionary
- Religion can sometimes preach liberation from slavery and misery
