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 fundamentalism 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 and are too ‘fixated on fundamentalism. e.g. how globalisation affected catholicsm

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

Question 16

Religious fundamentalism- Secular fundamentalism

What does Davie argue secular fundamentalism?

Answer 16

Davie argues that secular fundamentalism has emerged due to 2 phases of modernity:
* A rise to religious fundamentalism: Known as enlightenment. The power of science dominated thoughts and undermined religious certainties. Religious fundamentalism occurs as a response to this.
* A rise to secular fundamentalism: Globalisation and the collapse in communism led to the loss faith of enlightenment idedeologies. Secular ideologies are stuggling to survive.

Question 17

Religious fundamentalism: The ‘clash of civilisations’

What does huntington argue about the ‘clash of civilisations’?

Answer 17

Religion has caused many global conflicts like 9/11 or the civil war. He identifies 7 civilisations:
* Western
* Latin American
* Islamic
* Slavic-Orthodox (Russia, eastern europe)
* Confucian (China)
* Japanese
* Hindu

Religious differences between these civilisations has caused conflict due to globalisation making nation states less important as an identity as well as more contact. Religion creates a hostile relationship, with competition from economy, military power

Question 18

Religious fundamentalism: The ‘clash of civilisations’?

What is a criticism of Huntingtons arguement about the ‘clash of civilisations’?

Answer 18

• Too simplistic: ignores important religious divisions within civilisations
• A grossly misleading neo-conservative ideology potraying islam as the enemy

Question 19

Cultural defence

What does Bruce argue about cultural defence?

Answer 19

He sees it as the only function of religion. Religion serves to unite a community from external threat.

Question 20

Cultural defence

How does Poland utilise cultural defence?

Answer 20

• From 1945 to 1989, poland was under communist rule.
• The cathlic church was suppressed but many poles embodied the polish national identity.
• The church served as rallying point against the soviot union and communist party.
• It lent its active support to the solidarity free trade untion movement which brought the fall of communism
• The church regained a public role and led the poles

Question 21

Religion and development

Explain God and globalisation in India.

Answer 21

• Globalisation brough rapid growth in India, playing a part in the world political stage. Also rising prosperity to some
• Nandas book ‘God and globalisation’ explains the role of Hinduims, 85% of the population

Question 22

Religion and development: God and globalisation in india

What does Nanda’s book explain about hinduims and consumerism?

Answer 22

• Globalisation has created a educated, urban M/C in india. They’re are expected to drop religion in favour for secularisation first
• Nanda observes the M/C believe in the supernatural. 30% beccame more religius. An increase in religion increased religious tourism like shrines
• They’re optimistic to the opportunities globalisation brings. Religiousity is due to their ambivalence of their wealth
• The ambivalence stems from tension between hindu materialisation and wordly desires.

Question 23

Religion and development: God and globalisation in india

What does Nanda argue about hindu ultra-nationalism?

Answer 23

• The worship of gods has become the same as worshiping the nation of india and hinduism has become a civil religion but this is creating a widening gulf between hindus and non- hindus
• Hinduism has penetrated public life, so secular state if influenced by religion. E.g. astrology taught in schools to predict natural disasters

Question 24

Religion and development

What does Redding argue about the capitalism in east asia?

Answer 24

• China has become a global industrial plant.
• Redding argues the spirit of capitalism of chinese entrepreneurs.
• He see’s their ‘post-confucian’ values encouraging hard work anf frugality
• Similar to calvinism this leads to economic productivity

Question 25

Religion and development

What does Berger argue about the pentecostalism in latin america?

Answer 25

• Argues pentecostalism acts as a’functional equivalent’ to Webers protestant ethic
• It encourages capitalism like calvinism
• He believes pentecostalism is necessary to promote economic development led by active ascenticism.
• But he believes religion is not enough and natural resources is necessary.
• S.brazil has work ethic and resources, while N.brazil lacks resources

Question 26

Religion and development: Pentecostalism in latin america

What is a criticism to Berger?