Beliefs: Religion & Globalisation

Question 1

What does globalisation refer to?

Answer 1

The idea that the world has become a smaller place and is now interconnected than ever before. This has impacted on all areas of life, including religion.`

Question 2

Meaning of fundamentalism?

Answer 2

Religion based on an unquestioning belief in the literal truth of a sacred text. Fundamentalists believe that there’s only one view of the world, which is revealed in a sacred text, not gained through scientific enquiry or rational argument.

Question 3

7 key features of fundamentalism?

Answer 3

• Authorative sacred text
• An ‘us and them’ mentality
• Aggressive reaction
• Use of modern technology
• Patriarchy
• Prophecy
• Conspiracy theories.

Question 4

Key feature of fundamentalism: ‘us and them mentality’ and how does Davie put it?

Answer 4

Fundamentalists separate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to compromise with it.
Davie puts it as, they seek to establish islands of certainty against what they see as social and cultural chaos.

Question 5

Key feature of fundamentalism: authoritative sacred text

Answer 5

For Christian fundamentalists, every word of the Bible is literally true, its truths are valid for questions, from politics to family life. The text is inerrant (without error) and is not open to questioning.

Question 6

Key feature of fundamentalism: Aggressive reaction

Answer 6

Fundamentalist movements aim to draw attention to the threat to their beliefs and values, and their reactions are therefore aggressive and intended to shock, intimidate or cause harm.

Question 7

Key feature of fundamentalism: Use of modern technology: (explain why they oppose modern culture also)

Answer 7

Although fundamentalists oppose modern culture, which they see as corrupted by secularism, liberism, materialism permissiveness and promiscuity, they are keen to use modern technology to achieve their aims - from computers and the internet to televangelism and military weaponism.

Question 8

Key feature of fundamentalism: Patriarchy - Howley

Answer 8

Howley (1994) notes that fundamentalists favour a world in which control over women’s sexuality, reproductive powers, and their social and economic roles, is fixed for all time by divine decree.

Question 9

Key feature of fundamentalism: Prophecy TBC

Answer 9

Christian fundamentalists proclaim the relevance of biblical prophecies to contemporary events. They believe that the ‘last days’ will soon be upon us, when the faithful dead will resurrected and transported