Beliefs In Society- Religion & Globalisation Flashcards
What is the relationship between religion and globalisation?
While Europe is becoming increasingly secular, there is evidence of a rise in religious behaviour in many other parts of the world, such as the growth of Islam, Pentecostalism, and fundamentalism.
What is the fastest-growing religion globally, and what evidence supports its growth?
Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion, with the number of Hajj pilgrims increasing from 100,000 in 1950 to 2.5 million in 2008. It is projected to become the largest religion by the mid-21st century.
What is fundamentalism, and what are its key characteristics?
Fundamentalism is a religion based on the literal truth of a sacred text, characterised by an authoritative sacred text, a “them and us” mentality, aggressive reactions, use of modern technology, patriarchy, prophecy, and conspiracy theories.
How does fundamentalism respond to globalisation, according to Giddens?
Giddens argues that fundamentalism is a response to globalisation, offering certainty in the face of uncertainty caused by modernity. Fundamentalists use modern methods, such as the internet, to spread their message.
What is the difference between fundamentalism and cosmopolitanism, according to Giddens?
Fundamentalism seeks certainty and rejects modernity, while cosmopolitanism embraces modernity, tolerates others, and uses rational explanations.
How does Bruce distinguish between Western and LEDC fundamentalism?
Western fundamentalism reacts to societal changes like diversity and secularism, while LEDC fundamentalism reacts to external threats, such as Western values imposed through globalisation.
What is Baumann’s view on fundamentalism and postmodernity?
Baumann sees fundamentalism as a response to the uncertainty and risk of postmodernity, offering certainty to those who reject the freedom of choice it brings.
What are Castells’ two reactions to postmodernity?
Castells identifies resistant identity (withdrawal into fundamentalism) and project identity (forward-looking social movements like feminism or environmentalism).
What is Davie’s argument about the emergence of secular fundamentalism?
Davie argues that secular fundamentalism has emerged due to a loss of faith in the Enlightenment project, as science has created problems like nuclear weapons and global warming, leading to uncertainty and a turn to nationalism.
What is cultural defence, according to Bruce?
Cultural defence refers to religion uniting a community against an external threat, providing a sense of identity, as seen in Poland under Communist rule and Iran during the 1979 revolution.
What is Huntington’s “clash of civilisations” theory?
Huntington argues that globalisation has led to conflict between civilisations, which are defined by shared cultural and religious backgrounds, such as Western, Islamic, and Hindu civilisations.
What are the criticisms of Huntington’s “clash of civilisations” theory?
Critics argue that Huntington’s work is part of orientalism, stereotypes Eastern people, ignores religious divisions within civilisations (e.g., Sunni vs. Shi’a), and legitimises hostility towards Islam.
What is Nanda’s argument about religion and globalisation in India?
Nanda argues that globalisation has created a prosperous middle class in India, but instead of abandoning religion, they have become more religious, with increased religious tourism and worship of village gods.
Why does Nanda reject poverty and existential insecurity as reasons for religiosity in India’s middle class?
Nanda argues that India’s middle class is not poor and is optimistic about globalisation. Their religiosity stems from modern Hinduism, which legitimises their wealth and consumerism.
How does Hinduism legitimise the position of India’s middle class, according to Nanda?
Modern holy men and tele-gurus promote a business-friendly version of Hinduism that accepts materialism and consumerism, assuring the middle class that wealth is a sign of divinity.
What is Hindu ultra-nationalism, and how is it linked to globalisation?
Hindu ultra-nationalism attributes India’s economic success to the superiority of Hindu values, making Hinduism a civil religion and equating worship of gods with worship of the nation.
What is Redding’s argument about post-Confucian values and economic development?
Redding argues that post-Confucian values, such as hard work, self-discipline, and education, are similar to the Protestant ethic and have driven the industrialisation of East Asian “tiger economies.”
How does Pentecostalism contribute to economic development, according to Berger?
Berger argues that Pentecostalism acts as a functional equivalent to the Protestant work ethic, promoting self-improvement, discipline, and prosperity theology, leading to economic development.
What is Lehmann’s view on Pentecostalism’s success in Latin America?
Lehmann argues that Pentecostalism succeeds because it incorporates local beliefs and rituals, creating new religious forms rather than replacing existing traditions.
What is the downside of Hinduism’s role in India’s globalisation, according to Nanda?
The increasing influence of Hinduism in public life and politics is widening the gap between Hindus and non-Hindu minorities and increasing religious influence on the state.
What is the role of religion in the East Asian “tiger economies,” according to Redding?
Post-Confucian values, such as hard work and self-discipline, have played a role similar to the Protestant ethic in driving the industrialisation and economic success of East Asian economies.
What is the significance of religious tourism in India, according to Nanda?
Religious tourism, such as visits to shrines and temples, has become fashionable among India’s middle class, reflecting their continued belief in the supernatural despite their prosperity.
What is the role of modern holy men and tele-gurus in India, according to Nanda?
Modern holy men and tele-gurus promote a version of Hinduism that reconciles materialism with spirituality, assuring the middle class that their wealth is a manifestation of divinity.
What is the relationship between Hinduism and Indian nationalism, according to Nanda?
Hinduism has become a civil religion, with worship of gods equated to worship of the nation, and Hindu values being promoted as the essence of Indian culture and identity.
What is the role of Pentecostalism in Latin America, according to Berger?
Pentecostalism promotes a work ethic and lifestyle similar to Calvinism, contributing to the growth of a prosperous middle class and capitalist development in countries like Chile and Brazil.
What is the criticism of Huntington’s “clash of civilisations” theory regarding religious divisions?
Huntington ignores significant religious divisions within civilisations, such as the Sunni-Shi’a divide in Islam, which undermines his argument about cohesive religious civilisations.
What is the role of religion in the industrialisation of East Asia, according to Redding?
Post-Confucian values, such as hard work and education, have driven the industrialisation of East Asian economies, similar to the role of the Protestant ethic in Western capitalism.
What is the role of Pentecostalism in addressing poverty, according to Berger?
Pentecostalism imposes strict moral codes and promotes self-improvement through prosperity theology, encouraging individuals to save, start businesses, and escape poverty.
What is the role of religion in the globalisation of India, according to Nanda?
Religion in India legitimises the new wealth of the middle class, reconciles materialism with traditional Hindu values, and promotes Hindu ultra-nationalism as a response to globalisation.
What is the role of religion in the economic development of Latin America, according to Lehmann?
Pentecostalism in Latin America incorporates local beliefs and rituals, creating new religious forms that validate traditional practices while promoting economic development through self-improvement.
What is the role of religion in the rise of nationalism, according to Davie?
Davie argues that secular fundamentalism, such as nationalism, has emerged as a response to the loss of faith in liberalism and rationalism, driven by the problems created by science and modernity.
What is the role of religion in the industrialisation of East Asia, according to Redding?
Post-Confucian values, such as hard work and self-discipline, have driven the industrialisation of East Asian economies, similar to the role of the Protestant ethic in Western capitalism.
What is the role of Pentecostalism in addressing poverty, according to Berger?
Pentecostalism imposes strict moral codes and promotes self-improvement through prosperity theology, encouraging individuals to save, start businesses, and escape poverty.
What is the role of religion in the globalisation of India, according to Nanda?
Religion in India legitimises the new wealth of the middle class, reconciles materialism with traditional Hindu values, and promotes Hindu ultra-nationalism as a response to globalisation.
What is the role of religion in the economic development of Latin America, according to Lehmann?
Pentecostalism in Latin America incorporates local beliefs and rituals, creating new religious forms that validate traditional practices while promoting economic development through self-improvement.
What is the role of religion in the rise of nationalism, according to Davie?
Davie argues that secular fundamentalism, such as nationalism, has emerged as a response to the loss of faith in liberalism and rationalism, driven by the problems created by science and modernity.
What is Pentecostalism, and where is it growing rapidly?
Pentecostalism is the fastest-growing Christian religion, particularly in Africa and South America.
