Beliefs and Society: Topic 5- Religion as a global context Flashcards
Religious fundamentalism
What is fundamentalism?
Where religious people believe everything from sacred texts to the tee, following the strict rules they provide.
Religious fundamentalism
What are the key factors of fundamentalism?
- An authoritative sacred text
- An ‘us and them’ mentality
- Aggressive reaction
- Use of modern echnology
- Patriachy
- Prophecy
- Conspiracy theories
Religious fundamentalism
What are the charcteristics of an authoritative sacred text?
- Belief that their sacred text is the literal word of God
- E.g. the world was created in 7 days
Religious fundamentalism
What are the characteristics of an ‘us and them’ mentality?
They seperate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to comprimise with it
Religious fundamentalism
What are the characteristics of aggressive reaction?
- They aim to draw attention to the threat of their beliefs, their reactions are aggressive, intended to shock, intimidate, cause harm
Religious fundamentalism
What are the characteristics of use of modern technology?
- Fundamentalists oppose modern culture, they use modern tech to achieve their aims
Religious fundamentalism
What does Hawley argue about the characteristics of patriachy?
- They note fundamentalists favour a world that controls womens sexuality, reproductive powers and social and economic roles
Religious fundamentalism
What are the characteristics for prophecy?
- Some proclaime the releence of biblical prophecies
- E.g. ‘Last days’ are upon us
Religious fundamentalism
What are the characteristics for conspiracy theories?
- They’re attracted to conspiracy theories. The idea that powerful, hidden, evil forces are in control of human destiny
Religious fundamentalism
What does Giddens argue about fundamentalism and modernity?
- 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
Religious fundamentalism- Cosmopolitiation
Explain cosmopolitation- AO3 to fundamentalism.
- 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
Religious fundamentalism- Cosmopolitation
What is Castells arguement for responses to postmodernity?
He distinguishes between 2 responses to postmodernity
* Resistance identity- Defensive reaction who retreates to fundamentalist communites
* Project identity- forward looking, engaging in movements
Religious fundamentalism- cosmopolitation
What are the criticisms Beckford argues of fundamentalism?
- 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
Religious fundamentalism- Monotheism and fundamentalism
What does Bruce argue about monotheism and fundamentalism?
- 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
Religious fundamentalism- Monotheism and fundamentalism
What does Bruce argue about the 2 types of fundamentalisms?
- 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
Religious fundamentalism- Secular fundamentalism
What does Davie argue secular fundamentalism?
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.
Religious fundamentalism: The ‘clash of civilisations’
What does huntington argue about the ‘clash of civilisations’?
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
Religious fundamentalism: The ‘clash of civilisations’?
What is a criticism of Huntingtons arguement about the ‘clash of civilisations’?
- Too simplistic: ignores important religious divisions within civilisations
- A grossly misleading neo-conservative ideology potraying islam as the enemy
Cultural defence
What does Bruce argue about cultural defence?
He sees it as the only function of religion. Religion serves to unite a community from external threat.
Cultural defence
How does Poland utilise cultural defence?
- 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
Religion and development
Explain God and globalisation in India.
- 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
Religion and development: God and globalisation in india
What does Nanda’s book explain about hinduims and consumerism?
- 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.
Religion and development: God and globalisation in india
What does Nanda argue about hindu ultra-nationalism?
- 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
Religion and development
What does Redding argue about the capitalism in east asia?
- 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
Religion and development
What does Berger argue about the pentecostalism in latin america?
- 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
Religion and development: Pentecostalism in latin america
What is a criticism to Berger?
How has globalisation led to cultural defense?
- Cultural defence can be seen as a response to globalisation
- People look up to protet their own cultural values and identity
Explain the case study of Iran showing cultural defence?
- Western values overthrow a democratic governmen in the law 1950 or b
