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beliefs in society Flashcards

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1
Q

how do feminism view religion ?

A

conflict theory

patriachy a system which male dominance is suported by beliefs, values , norms and values

belive religion is a patriachal insituiton

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2
Q

what are the main features of feminsit concerns ?

A

all world religions - gods are males hinduism is an exception - female goddesst

sacred texts mention males and males activities

interpreted by a men

women not allowed to become a priest

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3
Q

what are the limitations and exclusions of a feminism ?

A

women are limited to where they go and travel

feminsm is a status quo because men stil stay in power - patriachy

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4
Q

what are the evaluations of feminism ?

A

womens have developed a leadership roles

freedom withi religion

feminist have been criticised for being oreoccupied with gender inequality and ignoringoher aspects of society

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5
Q

what is a marxist theory ?

A

its conflict theory

which maintains capitalist rule instrument of domination which keeps proletariet in place

religion continues to legitamise inequality and privelledges in modern society

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6
Q

what does karl max say ?

A

man makes religion , religion doesnt make man

theory- religion promotes inequality 9social ) promotes capitalist rule

evidence to support this view form certain time s and places but reject the view that its not the primarily role of religion

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7
Q

what are the evaluation of marxism theory ?

A

critics saw religion as a form of ideology which helped to maintain ruling class power

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8
Q

what is functrinalist and how do they view rleigion ?

A

concensus theory
durkeim belives rleigion is a source of concenssus because he belives that worshipping a societies sacred sybol, leads to them worshippig the society

religon strengthens social solidarity and without a concensus a society cannot survive

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9
Q

how does functionalist maintain their status quo ?

A

religion legitamises the core values of a culture and promotees social solidarity and stabilty

religion provides core values which it socialises and doing so it maintains the status quo in society

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10
Q

why do sociologist see the religion as involving?

A

an organised collection of individuals
a shared systemof beliefs
a setof approved activities and practices

belief system is asocially constructed they reflect th rsociety they come from

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11
Q

what does functionals mean ?

A

focusing on the roles or functions religions plays om spocety (durkeim )

focuses on things people regard as sacred which brings peoeple together

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12
Q

what does substansive mean ?

A

belief in the supernatural and a higher force OF nature (WEB)

relating to the sacred
not thigns that are supernatural
but things that are different to the profane and the ordinary - durkeim

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13
Q

what does yinger say ?

A

defined religion as a system to of beliefs and practices by means of which a group og peple struggle with the ultimat eproblems og human life

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14
Q

what does hamilton say ?

A

criticises yinger definition

  1. it allows thr inclusion of a wide variety of belief system in the category of religion e.g anthing can be a religion
  2. its based on assumptions about th eroles and purposes of religion

“ultimae problem of human life ) - to avoid pain and to ensure pleasure but other things aside religionc an cure tha e.g leisre and medicine

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15
Q

what are some arguements aganst hamilton ?

A

these roles and purposes may vary between societies

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16
Q

what does durkeim say ?

A

distinction between the sacred and profane

sacred objects produce a snese of awe verneration and respect whereas profane objecs do not
howwver some religious objects are not treated wth respect

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17
Q

how does durkeim view religion ?

A

sees religion as reinforcing collective conciousnesss because it brigns the socity togtehr ,s ocial solidarity

sees religion as the source of social solidarity - collective conciousness which is the basic oset of shared beliefs value tradioary norms and values which makes social life psosible

in durkeims view religion is the origin of the concepts and categoris we need for reasoning , understanding and communicating

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18
Q

what are some evaluations ?

A

worsely - no distinctions between sacred and profane

methodoly - cannot apply ideas tpo wider scale societies

may explain intergration within communities but not the conflict between them

cannot apply to contemporary society - secularisation

overstates power or collectve conciousness over behaviour - religious beliefs may overide social values

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19
Q

what is malinowski view on religion ?

A

2 main functions thar religion promotes is
- solidarity and does this by psychological functions for individuals to cope with emotional stress , undermines social solidarity

research on anthropoligist - small scale of tribal societies
studied south pacific islanders - r develops as a s respone to psychological needs
stimulations of stress anxiety

ocean fishing is dangerous and uncertain - rituals to are done to ensure they are safe and succesful - religion is fulfilled but when going to a lake no rituals are done
malinowski argues that death is the main reason for the existence of religious belief

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20
Q

what is parson values and meaning of religion ?

A

sees religion as helping individuals to ope with unforeseen events
- creates and legitamises societys central values
- primary source of meaning

religion creates and legitamises society basic norms and values by sacralsing thme - making them scared - prmote value concensus and social solidarity

religions provides
- sense of meaning
- answers to qs
enables people to adjust to advehere events and circumstances and helps maintain stability
core values and norms
social solidarity
suffering is a test
r always provides concensus that is not provided by the state

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21
Q

what is a summary of functionalists of religion ?

A

religion = benelovotes social control
binds society together
religion = conservative force to maintain the status quo based on concesus in society
religion helps to maintain social order
promotes gradual social change rather than the rapid change (prevents Anomie)

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22
Q

what is the critique of functionalism and religion ?

A

Bruce 2002- Secularisation and decline of religion in society- does it still have the
power to socialise and control us?

Religion can cause conflict and dysfunction

Religious beliefs have morphed into social values (but they still underpin many
aspects of social like in UK)

Relevance and representativeness of studies

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23
Q

neo functionalism

what did bellah say about the civil religin in usa ?

A

Built upon the ideas of Durkheim and Parsons

Protestantism, individualism, democracy and self discipline

Bellah argued that God/Religion and the state went hand in hand

Thus many symbols of Religion were linked to ‘Americanism’ (Dollar
bill, MLK, founding fathers)

Americanism in essence is therefore a form of religious worship

Civil = The state

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24
Q

what is bellah evaluation ? what did beckford and moosa say ?

A

Beckford -limited evidence that civil religion actually exists or that it has the same impact
om individuals and society as ‘normal’ religion Concept is too generalised

Moosa (2010)-

Civil religion doesn’t benefit all citizens equally (e.g. BLM, Islamophobia since 9/11)

Civil Religion= ‘Toxic Nationalism’ that only benefits white Christians

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25
Q

what did bellah introduce ?

A

Robert Bellah introduced the concept of civil religion to sociological debates
surrounding the role and function of religion in society in the early 1960s. ‘Civil Religion in America‘.

beelah argues that civil religions has become the mai n type of religion in 20th century
mainstream tradional religion declined

civil religions performs the same functins as tradional religon

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26
Q

what did bellah analyse?

A

Bellah analyses the role of religion in much the same way asclassical
functionalistssuch as Durkheim, hence he has been labelled a neo-functionalist.

he defines cicil religion as any belief system

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27
Q

how do marxixst view religion ?

A

theres no need for religion iin a classless society because it will just dissapear

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28
Q

what did marx think religion did ?

A
  • legitamised and maintained the power of the ruling class
    -acted as a cushion of the pain and exploiattion in the unequal soicities
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29
Q

how did marx view reli ?

A
  • as the dominant ideology beleif system of rc shapes epoples view of the world and reproduces and reinforces fcc
  • althusser saw reli as isa an insitution sprading the dominant ideology manaufacturing hegomy making epoeple think there lide and positions in life is unchangeable and ineviatble
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30
Q

how did relig affect the lc ?

A

marxs view is that reli operates ideological weapons used by the rc
to legotamise the sufferng of the poor as something inevitable and god gicen

reli misleads poor into believing their sufferenign its virtuatous
e.g christianity

hinduism caste system proetects the postion of the higher caste , if you are behaved with the position youre given in this life then you will be reincarted into a higher caste

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31
Q

what else does reli do ?

A

legitamises the power and privelledges of the dominant clas by making their position apear to be divinely ordainly - god given

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32
Q

why does marx see the reli as alienation ?

A

marx sees reli as the product of alienation -

alienation it is being sperated from or losing control over something that is produced or created

affects the w/c

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33
Q

what does opium mean ?

A

marx says reli

is the opium of the people - drugs hallucination illusion
creating iluusion for the opressed which helps maintain the power of the dominant class

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34
Q

what are the 2 ways reli reinforces the existing social order

A

by a conservative forcenand following social norms and values

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35
Q

how does marx see a reli

A

as a conservative force as it maintains a status quo which means that ruling vlass stay at the top which keeps the capitalsit system

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36
Q

how do marx belive reli eases the opreession and explotation

A

reli promises eventual escape from sufferomg

reli offers hope of supernatural intervention to soleve problems on earth promises for a better future

reli provides explantaion and justification for inequality e.g hindu caste systemand the doctrine of karma

marx beli reli promises happiness but that promise of happiness is an illusion

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37
Q

what are some evaluations of marx

A

marx shows how reli may be used as a tool of oppresion that masks exploitatiion and cause fcc however it ignore the pos func of reli - answers qs

reli is not simply a conservative force and it can act as a form of resistance
- islamic fundamentalism as a meaans to oppose westernisation and americation of culture

liberatiom theology south amer in the 1960 7and 1970 toamn catholic prisets used catholism to fight against political dictatorshop and poverty

38
Q

what are some evaluation of marxist

A

adv : historial and more contemporary evidence to support marcist theories on reli highlight the role of reli as a source of conflict - ignored by func

disadv : reli is just a tool of capitalist ideology or just compensation for the wc communism has and come and gone but reli has remained

outdated reli is not a compensation reli is secularised - therapy

39
Q

neo marxist

when was the neo marxist made ?

A

in the early 20th century

40
Q

what did neo marxist believe ?

A

they agreed that the proletareit were supressed by the ruling class nu t they disagreed that the economics forces alone were responsible for thsis oprresion

41
Q

what is relative autonomy

A

maintain some seperation between religion and the economic system

42
Q

what does gramsci argue ?

A

argued that in order to aintain a stronghold on scoeity , the rc had to persuade the masses that the existing syetm is good and fair

hegemony - the ideological control that the rc ekite have over the masses

43
Q

what did gramsci believe ?

A

he recognised that the reli contributed to the process of hegemony he suggested that it wasnt inevitale

claimed reli could be used by the proletariet as a means to challege their oppresin

this could be done if the church joinded forces with wc intellectuals and together they could lead the masses to challenge the status quo

44
Q

what does maduro believe ?

A

he also supports the idea of relative autonomy and suggests the church can provide guidance for the opressed in their struggle with the rc

to support his point he refers to the e.g of the role of palayed by cahtolicim in latin america

oppressed ppl who ar ebanned from proetsting put pressure on preists to take up their ccuasea nd fight and their corfer leads catholists preists to criticse and act against rc- the church can provide guidance for the opressed

45
Q

what else does maduro believe ?

A

hwow reli isnt always a conservative force but it becomes one of the main available channels to bring about a social revolution , in other wrds reli can be revolutionary

46
Q

what is liberation theology ?

A

in countries such as el savador and geattemala wherea number of catholic preists living in these countres stood up for the poor and used their influence to try and improvr yrh lives and impoverished and the opressed

47
Q

what are some evaluation of neo marxist ?

A

it addreses weakeness of marxist theory

admiting that reli can actually open eyes of the opressed encouraging them to take action

logoca snese - reli has often supported the powerful but also often provided comfort to the opressed

religion = status quo

classical marxist

48
Q

what are the feminist view of religion ?

A

reliis patriachal
religious ideology maintains more dommination over women present in other areas of society

religious ideas control women sexuality
religion emphasises tradiotional gender roles of eomen and reinforces gender stereotype

49
Q

how do does the reli scriptures transmit patriachal views ?

A
  • women are largely invisible in most religious scriptures
  • god is always seem as male and men hold the positiobs of power and authority
    fore.g jesus
50
Q

what do reli texts usually have ?

A

they are usually written and interpreted by men and stories relect anti female stereotypes this can be seen in the judaeo christian story of genesis as it is eve who causes humanity to fall from grace

stories often reflect anti female stereotype such as that of eve who in the judaeo christian stroy of genesis , caused humanitys fall from the grace and expulsion from the garden of eden

51
Q

what does aldrige argue ?

A

highlghts in the Quran women are legally inferior the same rights as their husbands, this supports du beauvoir who reli scriptures in most religion suggest that man is master by divine

52
Q

what does armstrong argue ?

A

highlighted that females had key positions , in acient greek and roman religions for e.g not uncommon and were considered to be important .

53
Q

how has religious professionals transmit patriachal ?

A

feminist argue that women are prevented form holding positions of power and authority in religious insitutions.
- the majority of religious professionals are male

54
Q

how do christianiy show patriachy ?

A

roman catholic and orthodox christianity bar women from becoming priests . this is also found in judaism where women cannot be rabis

54
Q

how do christianiy show patriachy ?

A

roman catholic and orthodox christianity bar women from becoming priests . this is also found in judaism where women cannot be rabis

55
Q

what are some evaluations for religious professionals ?

A

some women have developed leadership roles through religion , an e.g of this is marti n 2003 is in the christian pentacostal movement where thousands of its female followers around the world have taken an important leadership roles

56
Q

what is ther stain glass ceiling ?

A

stained glass ceilling still exists . the church of england for e.g may have made it eligibe for women to become priets and there still no female bishops

56
Q

what is ther stain glass ceiling ?

A

stained glass ceilling still exists . the church of england for e.g may have made it eligibe for women to become priets and there still no female bishops

57
Q

what are some limitations and exclusions of females ?

A

women are often excluded , in most religions women are more liekly than men to attend places of worship yet they often play a subsidary role

58
Q

what cant orthodcos jewish do ?

A

they cannot read the torah and limitations are also placed on where women sit as they are expected to sit on balconies

59
Q

what does aldrige argue ?

A

refers to the e.g of islam and points towards hijab being seen as a sign of female oppression and a symbol of patriachy as it keeps women invisible and annoymous

59
Q

what does aldrige argue ?

A

refers to the e.g of islam and points towards hijab being seen as a sign of female oppression and a symbol of patriachy as it keeps women invisible and annoymous

60
Q

what do ahmed and watson argue ?

A

that the veiling of the women in some muslim communities in britain can be taken as a sign of resistance against patriachy as it provides independent female identity and frees us from sexual harrasment

61
Q

why do muslim women choose to wear the hijab ?

A

they also choose to wear the hijab to assert their islamic identity and its a symbol of empowerment and can be seen as a rejection of patriachal western culture which potrays women as sex objects

62
Q

what is potrayal and repersentation ?

A

womens bodies , menstruation , and sexually are often potrayed as polluting by many of the worlds religions

63
Q

what does aldridge argue ?

A

sexual pleasures partic for women is disproved in many religions

sexuality is often presented is something is linked to reproduction

64
Q

what do roman catholic do ?

A

their oppostion to the us eof contraception and reinforces womens primary role as a mother

65
Q

how are women often repersented ?

A

women are often presented as sexual predators with endless desires who are to seduce and snare men diverting them from their proper reli duties

66
Q

what does holm argue ?

A

womens menstruation is nearly regarded as polluting and hindu and muslim women for e.g are generally forbiden from entering sacred places or touching sacred objects

67
Q

what do liberal feminist say ?

A

change from within the insituition - remove barriers to women taking postions of authority in religions for women

evalu - female bishops in church of england

68
Q

what do radical feminists say ?

A

dalyc - reli is infused with a patriachal ideology a religious must be changed completely or go back to religious ideas which valued the role of women - ancient reli greek

eval- hinduism has female gad

69
Q

what do marxist feminist say ?

A

reli is the opium of people - it functions as a tool of oppresion under capitalism
e,g the church reinforces traditional gender role that serve the interest of the rc - unpaid domestic labour , prepare and priduce the next workforce

70
Q

what are some evaluations of marxist feminist ?

A

reli is no longer the opium of people society has become secularised people rely on other insitutions e.g therapy

71
Q

does reli always / still opress ?

what does woodhead argue ?

A

there are ways women can use reli to gain greater respect and freedom , not all reli oppresses

72
Q

what does gillat ray say ?

A

hijab is a symbol of liberalision - ahmed and watson

73
Q

what does brusco say ?

A

penta coastal group = empowerment for women - men are expected to respect women
offers opprtunity for women to take leadership roles - bible study group

74
Q

what does rinaldo say ?

A

piety movements e.g pentacotalism - conservative reli

quakers allow women leadership roles church of england - female bishops

75
Q

what does simon de beavior say ?

A

the second sex - her book argued men use reli to control and oppress women , reli decieves women into thinking theyre equal to men - when in reality theyre not

gives women the false beliefs that they will be compensated for their suffering on earth by equality in heaven

75
Q

what does simon de beavior say ?

A

the second sex - her book argued men use reli to control and oppress women , reli decieves women into thinking theyre equal to men - when in reality theyre not

gives women the false beliefs that they will be compensated for their suffering on earth by equality in heaven

76
Q

what does daly church say ?

A

never be gender equality in the church as long as god is interrpreted as male
christianity is a set of patriachal myths
catholic church eliminates reli in whcih female gods were either dominant or equal

catholic chruch cintrol women - women reproduction - banning abortion

77
Q

what does nawal el sadawi say ?

A

religious belief system islam and christianity not responsible for the oppression of women e.g culture of early arab societies were patriachal led to men to think they are superior to women consequently men were able to use their power to occupy positions of influence within islam

78
Q

interpretivism

what did weber say

A

superior and supernatural power that cannot be explained sciemtifcically

79
Q

what do constructionalist believe ?

A

not one definition of reli different individuals and groups mean different things by reli

80
Q

what is the universe of meaning ?

A

its a set of ideas and values about the meaning od life which helps people make sense of and give meanimg to the world and enables them to give life some focus, order and meaning

81
Q

what does berger say ?

A

reli acts a sa sacred canopy - providing a sheild that protects people from the uncertainties , meaningless and pointlessness of life - helping them to interpret and make sense of the world

82
Q

what does stark and brainbridge say ?

A

see reli as acting as a general compensator - a belief that if individuals act in a particular way they will eventually be rewarded providing hope for life after death. - important compensator

this is contributing to the maintenance of stability in social life acting as a conservative force in society

83
Q

what does berger argue

A

argues that in modern society reli is losing its role

growing secularisation and disenchantment in the world

increasing diversity and fragmentation of beliefs and lifestyle

reli is losing its validity - no longer provides a source of meaning and morality or sacred shield against life uncertainties.

84
Q

what are some similarities and differences between func and marxist

A

see r as a conservative force maintaining the status quo

func see r role of necessary and justified while marx see r as represive - ideology legitamacy the power of the dominant class

85
Q

what does berger also argue

A

reli provides a universe of meaing
reli provides theodicy
religion - sacred canopy stretching over society - secularisation and rational

modern society is now more secualr

modernity = growth of rationalism - reason and logic have replaced mystic and magic

the modern world has become dymystified people have become more disenchanted due to plurality of life = increasingly aware of alt social worlds this is due to :

increase in social mobility
increase in geographical mobilty
widespread exposure to digital media - we find different meaning to life through this

they use rational and science and logic to understand the world

86
Q

what is berger evaluation

A

berger - europe may be secualrise but this doesnt apply to all parts of the world- reli is still strong as islam is still growing

status quo concensus

87
Q

how do interpretivist view the reli

A

conservative force

Sociology (11 decks)

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