Beliefs and Society: Topic 5- Religion as a global context

Question 1

Religious fundamentalism

What is fundamentalism?

Answer 1

Where religious people believe everything from sacred texts to the tee, following the strict rules they provide.

Question 2

Religious fundamentalism

What are the key factors of fundamentalism?

Answer 2

• An authoritative sacred text
• An ‘us and them’ mentality
• Aggressive reaction
• Use of modern echnology
• Patriachy
• Prophecy
• Conspiracy theories

Question 3

Religious fundamentalism

What are the charcteristics of an authoritative sacred text?

Answer 3

• Belief that their sacred text is the literal word of God
• E.g. the world was created in 7 days

Question 4

Religious fundamentalism

What are the characteristics of an ‘us and them’ mentality?

Answer 4

They seperate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to comprimise with it

Question 5

Religious fundamentalism

What are the characteristics of aggressive reaction?

Answer 5

• They aim to draw attention to the threat of their beliefs, their reactions are aggressive, intended to shock, intimidate, cause harm

Question 6

Religious fundamentalism

What are the characteristics of use of modern technology?

Answer 6

• Fundamentalists oppose modern culture, they use modern tech to achieve their aims

Question 7

Religious fundamentalism

What does Hawley argue about the characteristics of patriachy?

Answer 7

• They note fundamentalists favour a world that controls womens sexuality, reproductive powers and social and economic roles

Question 8

Religious fundamentalism

What are the characteristics for prophecy?

Answer 8

• Some proclaime the releence of biblical prophecies
• E.g. ‘Last days’ are upon us

Question 9

Religious fundamentalism

What are the characteristics for conspiracy theories?

Answer 9

• They’re attracted to conspiracy theories. The idea that powerful, hidden, evil forces are in control of human destiny

Question 10

Religious fundamentalism

What does Giddens argue about fundamentalism and modernity?

Answer 10

• He argues funamentalism is a product of and reaction to globalisation, undermining traditional norms
• Due to uncertainties and risks, people turn to religion for the certainty that it promises

Question 11

Religious fundamentalism- Cosmopolitiation

Explain cosmopolitation- AO3 to fundamentalism.

Answer 11

• People have relflexive thinking- constantly modifying beliefs due to new information
• This requires people to justify their view using evidence
• Ones lifestyles is then seen as a personal choice, which cosmopolitian relgion emphasises

Question 12

Religious fundamentalism- Cosmopolitation

What is Castells arguement for responses to postmodernity?

Answer 12

He distinguishes between 2 responses to postmodernity
* Resistance identity- Defensive reaction who retreates to fundamentalist communites
* Project identity- forward looking, engaging in movements

Question 13

Religious fundamentalism- cosmopolitation

What are the criticisms Beckford argues of fundamentalism?

Answer 13

• Gidden lumps all types of fundamentalism together, ignoring important differences
• They ignore important development, e.g. how globalisation affected catholics

Question 14

Religious fundamentalism- Monotheism and fundamentalism

What does Bruce argue about monotheism and fundamentalism?

Answer 14

• He argues that fundamentalism is confined to monotheistic religions (christianity, judhaism, islam)
• This is because monotheistic religions are based on a notion of Gods through a single sacred text

Question 15

Religious fundamentalism- Monotheism and fundamentalism

What does Bruce argue about the 2 types of fundamentalisms?

Answer 15

• In the West fundamentalism is a reaction to change taking place, usually trends towards diversity and choice. E.g. The new Christian right
• In developing countries fundamentalism is a reaction to changes in society from outside. E.g. ISIS, Islamic revolution in iran