BELIEFS: RELIGION IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT Flashcards
what are characteristics of fundamentalism?
Fundamentalists appeal to tradition and often look back to a supposed golden age in the past.
They seek to return to the basics of their faith.
Fundamentalism arises only where traditional beliefs and values are threatened or challenged by modern
what are key features of fundamentalism?
- An authoritative sacred text
- An ‘us and them’ mentality
- Aggressive reaction
- Use of modern technology
- Patriarchy
- Prophecy
- Conspiracy theories
an authoritative sacred text:
For Christian fundamentalists, every word of the bible is true, its truths are valid for all eternity and it contains the answers to all life’s important questions.
Fundamentalists are intolerant of all other views and refuse to engage in rational arguments with them.
(EV.) Aldridge: fundamentalists ignores other interpretations
an ‘us and them’ mentality:
Fundamentalists separate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to compromise with it.
(EV.) Davie -> they seek to establish islands of certainty against what they see as social and cultural chaos.
an aggressive reaction:
Fundamentalist movements aim to draw attention to the threat to their beliefs and values, and there reactions are therefore aggressive and intended to shock, intimidate or cause harm.
the use of modern technology:
Although fundamentalists oppose modern culture, which they see as corrupted by secularism, liberalism, materialism (modern society) they are keen to use modern technology to achieve their aims - with computers to access the internet to televangelism and use military weaponry.
the patriarchy:
Hawley -> fundamentalists favour a world in which control over women’s reproductive powers, their sexuality and their social and economic roles is fixed for all time by divine decree.
the prophecy:
Christian fundamentalists proclaim the relevance of biblical teachings prophecies to contemporary events.
-e.g. they believe that the last days will soon be upon us, when the faithful will be resurrected and transported to heaven.
the conspiracy theories:
Fundamentalists are often attracted to conspiracy theories - the idea that powerful, hidden, evil forces and organisations are in control of human destiny.
Aldridge -> some extreme Christian and Islamic fundamentalists hold anti-semitic conspiracy theories that believe Jews are conspiring to secure world domination.
why are fundamentalists the product of modernity according to DAVIE?
- Fundamentalism occurs where those who hold traditional orthodox beliefs and values are threatened by modernity and feel the need to defend themselves against it.-> there’s a ‘cultural clash between cultures’
why does late modern society encourage fundamentalism according to GIDDENS?
-Fundamentalism is product of and reaction to globalisation, which undermines traditional social norms concerning the nuclear family, gender and sexuality (e.g. prohibition of abortion, homosexuality)
-In today’s late modern society, individuals are constantly faced with choices, uncertainty and risk. The attraction of fundamentalism and its beliefs is the certainty that it promises in an uncertain world.
what is cosmopolitanism?
-it’s a way of thinking about the world that embraces modernisation, is tolerant of other views and is characterised by diversity, freedom, choice and uncertainty
what do cosmopolitan religions and spirituality emphasise?
- the pursuit of personal meaning rather than submission to authority (similar to Hervieu Leger’s pilgrims)
why does post modern society lead some people to fundamentalism according to BAUMAN?
-Sees fundamentalism as a response to living in postmodernity. Postmodern society brings freedom of choice, uncertainty and heightened awareness of risk, undermining the old certainties about how to live that were grounded in tradition. People are attracted to fundamentalism by its claims of absolute truth and certainty.
2 responses to postmodernity according to CASTELLS:
-two responses to postmodernity:
-Resistance identity -> a defensive reaction of those who feel threatened and retreat into fundamentalist communities.
-Project identity -> the response of those who are forward-looking and engage with social movements such as feminism and environmentalism.
