Beliefs In Society

Question 1

Durkheim: The sacred and The profane

Answer 1

The sacred are the things set apart and forbidden eg. Christina cross. The profane are ordinary things that have no special significance eg. A streetlight.

Question 2

Parsons two functions of religion

Answer 2

1. It creates and legitimates society’s basic norms and values by making them scared.
2. It provides a source of meaning, answering ultimate questions about life.

Question 3

What is an Ideology

Answer 3

Is a belief system that distorts people’s perception of reality in the interests of the ruling class.

Question 4

Marx’s view of religion

Answer 4

Religion operates as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimate (justify) the suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god given

Question 5

Lenin: Spiritual gin

Answer 5

Describes religion as ‘spiritual gin’ that confuses the WC and keeps them in their place. The ruling class use religion to manipulate the masses and keep them from attempting to overthrow capitalism by creating a mystical fog that obscures reality.

Question 6

Examples of patriarchy in religion

Answer 6

1. Religious organisations are mainly male dominated.
2. Places of worship often segregates the sexes and marginalise women in acts of worship.
3. Religious laws and customs often gives women fewer rights than men.

Question 7

Why is religion seen as conservative force?

Answer 7

It is seen as a conservative force because it defends traditional customs, institutions, or moral view. It functions to conserve or preserve things as they are, maintaining the status quo.

Question 8

Functionalists view of religion

Answer 8

They see religion as a conservative force, maintains social stability and preventing disintegration.

Question 9

Marxists view of religion

Answer 9

Marx see religion as a conservative ideology preventing social change. By legitimating or disguising inequality, it creates false consciousness in the working class and prevent revolution.

Question 10

Feminists view of religion

Answer 10

Feminists see religion as a conservative force because it legitimates patriarchy power and maintains women’s subordination in the family and society.

Question 11

What is modern capitalism?

Answer 11

It is based on the systematic, efficient, rational pursuit of profit for its own sake, rather than for spending on luxuries. Weber calls this the spirit of capitalism.

Question 12

Calvinists life

Answer 12

They lead an ascetic lifestyle shunning all luxury, working long hours and practicing rigorous self discipline.

Question 13

What is New Christian Rights?

Answer 13

Is a politically and morally conservative, Protestant fundamentalist movement. Their aim is to make abortion, homosexuality and divorce illegal and to take the USA back to god

Question 14

The Marxists Bloch

Answer 14

See religion as having a dual character. He accepts that religion often inhibits change, but argues it can also inspire protest and rebellion.

Question 15

What is Liberation theology ?

Answer 15

Liberation theology is a movement that emerged within the Catholic Church in Latin America in the 1960s with a strong commitment to the poor.

Question 16

What is Millenarian movements ?

Answer 16

Are an example of the desire to change things here and now, to bring about the kingdom of god on earth.

Question 17

Bruce: NCR

Answer 17

Argues that the NCR has been laregely unscessful because it has never had the support of more than 15% of the population.

Question 18

Gramsci: religion and hegemony

Answer 18

Gramsci is interested in how the ruling class maintain control over society through ideas rather than simply through coercion.

Question 19

Bruce

Answer 19

Bruce agrees with Wilson that all the evidence on securitisation has shown that’s there is a steady and unremitting decline.

Question 20

Explanation of securitisation

Answer 20

Secularisation and the decline of religion have been linked to major social changes such a modernisation ( decline of tradition), industrialisation and its effects and increased social and religious diversity.

1. Rationalisation
2. Structural differentiation
3. Social and cultural diversity
4. Religious diversity

Question 21

Weber: rationalisation

Answer 21

Argues that western society has undergone a process of rationalisation in the last few centuries. Disenchantment, events were thus no longer to be explained as the work of unpredictable supernatural beings, but as the predictable workings of natural forces.

Question 22

Parsons: structural differentiation

Answer 22

Parsons defines structural differentiation as a process that occurs with industrialisation as many specialised institutions develop to carry it the different functions previously performed by a single institution such as a church.

Question 23

Berger: Religious diversity

Answer 23

Berger argues that this religious diversity undermines religious plausibility structure. Alternative versions of religion enable people to question all of them and this eroded the absolute certainties if traditional religion.
Bruce sees the trend towards religious diversity as the most important cause of secularisation, because it is difficult to live in a world containing a late number of incomplete beliefs.

Question 24

Bruce

Answer 24

Identifies 2 counter trends that seems to contradict secularisation theory:
Cultural defence: r provides a focus for the defence of national or ethnic group identity in a struggle against external force.
Cultural transition: r provides a sense of community for ethnic groups living in a different country and culture.

Question 25

Davis: believing without belong

Answer 25

Argues that religion is not declining but simply taking a different more privatised form.

Question 26

Lyon

Answer 26

Argues that postmodern society has several features that are changing the nature of religion-globalisation, the increased importance of the media and consumerism. As a result, traditional religion is giving way to new religious forms.

Question 27

New age belief

Answer 27

They reject obligation and obedience to external authority found in tradition religion. Instead it emphasises personal development, autonomy and ones inner self.

Question 28

Difference between spirituality and religion

Answer 28

Religion emphasis conforming go church authority, self sacrifice and deference. Spirituality focuses on personal development, autonomy and connecting to your inner self.

Question 29

Religious market theory

Answer 29

Stark and Bainbridge advocate religious market theory. They criticise securitisation theory for its distorted view of the past and future. They believe people are naturally and religion meets humans needs.

Question 30

Gidden: Fundamentalism and Modernity

Answer 30

See fundamentalism as a reaction to modernity, which undermines traditional norms. He contests it with cosmopolitanism a way of thinking that embraces modernity, it tolerant, open and constantly reflects on and modified beliefs.

Question 31

Troeltsch

Answer 31

Distinguished between two main types of organisation- church and sect.

1. Churches are large, with millions of members claim a monopoly of truth and are universalistic.
2. Sects are small, exclusive groups demanding real commitment from member are hostile to wider society.