Beliefs - Religion in a Global Context - 5.4 Flashcards
Fundamentalism
Appeal to tradition seek return to basics/fundamentals of their faith.
Characteristics of Fundamentalism
> An authoritative sacred text > Us & them mentality > Aggressive reaction to threat > Use of modern tech > Patriarchy > Conspiracy theories
An authoritative sacred text - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
> Literal interpretation of religious texts as eternally having answer’s to life’s questions
> See biblical prophecies being fulfilled today & intolerant to alternative views
> Refusing to engage in debate.
Davie - Us & Them Mentality
> Separateness from rest of world, unable to compromise
> Seek to create islands of certainty among perceived social & cultural chaos
Aggressive Reaction to Threat - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
> Like to draw attention to threat of beliefs & values through aggressive action
> Directed by elders or clergy
Use of Modern Technology - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
> Oppose modern society, but use modern technology to achieve aims
> e.g. televangelists, social media & military weaponry
Patriarchy - Hawley
Want to control women’s reproductive powers & sexuality & biologically based gender roles fixed by god
Prophecy - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
Believe final days will soon be upon us & second coming of christ & final defeat of Satan & Armageddon.
Conspiracy Theories - Characteristics of Fundamentalism
Islamic/Christian groups have anti-semitic views believing Jews are conspiring to secure world domination.
Fundamentalism, Modernity & Postmodernity (Key Studies)
> Davie (Fundamentalism & Modernity)
> Giddens (Fundamentalism & Modernity & Contrast with Cosmopolitanism)
> Bauman (Postmodernity & Fundamentalism)
> Castells (two Responses to Modernity)
Davie (Fundamentalism & Modernity)
> Only occurs when traditional beliefs threatened by modernity
> Also products of modernity, threat may be from outside
> e.g. globalisation or within e.g. liberal attitudes to gender
Fundamentalism & Modernity - Giddens
> Due to globalisation, undermining traditional norms concerning family diversity, sexuality & abortion etc.
> Fundamentalism offers protection from risky & uncertain world.
Fundamentalism & Contrast with Cosmopolitanism - Giddens
> Cosmopolitanism is a way of thinking embracing modernity - open to alternative views, it modifies beliefs based on new ideas.
> Life personal choice, not god focused, focused on self-improvement.
Bauman - Postmodernity & Fundamentalism
> Autonomy can cause uncertainty & increased awareness of risk undermining tradition.
> Some embrace freedom, but some attracted to truth & certainty of fundamentalism.
Castells - Two Responses to Modernity
> Resistance Identity
> Project Identity
Resistant Identity - Castells
Defensive reaction by those feeling threatened & retreat to fundamentalism
Project Identity - Castells
Forward thinkers engage with movements e.g. feminism & environmentalism.
A03 of Bauman, Giddens & Castells (Key Studies)
> Beckford
> Haynes
Beckford - Criticisms of Giddens, Bauman & Castells
> Too focused on fundamentalism & ignore impact of globalisation on catholicism.
> Ignore hybrid movements & doesn’t consider return to tradition as reflexive rather than defensive.
Davie - Secular Fundamentalism (1st Phase, 18c-1960’s)
> Enlightenment philosophers had optimistic secular belief in progress based on rationality.
> Secualrised all areas of life & undermining religious certainties.
> Led to Fundamentalism
Davie - Secular Fundamentalism (2nd Phase, 1970-)
> Enlightenment project attacked due to increasing uncertainty of globalisation
> Secular ideologies e.g. liberalism & Marxism attacked
> So people are increasingly attracted to anti-religious sentiment & increasing nationalism e.g. France made it illegal to wear hijab
Ansell - Implications of Secular Fundamentalism
> Sees trends as form of cultural racism uses ideas of equality & integration
> But more about legitimating exclusion of religion or cultural minorities.
Huntington - Clash of Civilisations
> Nation-states insignificant as source of identity creating gap filled by religion
> Globalisation results in increasing contact with civilisations led to conflict with an us & them mentality - with competition between civilisations for economic/military power.
> Religious differences harder to resolve compared to political differences, as they’re deeply rooted in history & culture.
> West under threat from Islam, needs to reassert Christanity to win.
Examples of Civilisations outlined by Huntington
> Western
Islamic
Hindu
Latin American
A03 Criticisms of Huntington (Key Studies)
> Jackson
Casanova
Armstrong
Jackson - Criticisms of Huntington
Form of Orientalism e.g. Western ideology stereotyping eastern religions as untrustworthy to justify human rights abuses.
Casanova - Criticisms of Huntington
Huntington ignores divisions in civilisations e.g. Sunni & Shia Islam
Armstrong - Criticisms of Huntington
Hostility against the West isn’t due to fundamentalist Islam, but reaction to the West’s support of Israel & aggressive treatment of Palestinians/ wars in the Middle East.
Real Clash of Civilisations - World Values Survey
> Issue dividing West from the Muslim world, not about democracy but sexuality
> Increased differences in attitudes to divorce, abortion & LGBT
Define Cultural Defence
> Religion unites community against an external threat e.g Poland & Iran
> Shows how religion can be used to defend national identity against domination by an external power
Bruce - Poland as an example of Cultural Defence
> Communist rule imposed by Soviet Union , so church was suppressed
> Still embodying national identity & rallying point against communism
> Church actively supported solidarity free Trade Union movement leading to fall of communism.
Bruce - Iran as example of Cultural Defence
> Western capitalist powers had long influence, bringing, pro-western regime headed by Shah
> Later aiming for rapid modernisation & westernisation, but Islam was form of resistance
> Revolution meant creation of Islamic Republic - clergy had state power & imposed Sharia Law.
Religion & Development (Key Studies)
> Nanda (God & Globalisation in India, Hinduism & Consumerism & Ultra Nationalism)
> Nanda (Rejection of Poverty & Existential Security for increased religiosity)
> Berger (Pentecostalism in LA)
> Lehmann (Pentecostalism, Global & Local)
God & Globalisation in India - Nanda
> Globalisation created urban educated middle class, working in jobs closely linked to economic growth - predicted to be the first people to abandon religion
> But the middle class still believe in the supernatural resulting in increased religious tourism e.g. temples - it is fashionable to be religious
> Middle class are more attracted to gods worshipped by working class, as they’re seen more responsive to people’s needs
Nanda - Rejection of Poverty & Existential Security for increased religiosity
> Can’t be reason as middle class aren’t poor, religiosity isn’t a defence reaction to westernisation
> Middle class in India are optimistic about chances globalisation brings
Hinduism & Consumerism - Nanda
> Tele-gurus changed view of wealth, not sinful to be rich but a sign of divine favour.
> Using business-friendly version of Hinduism, accepting materialism
> Consumerism can be spiritually balanced - paying for extravagant rituals, modern version of Hinduism legitimates position of the middle class
Hindu-Ultra Nationalism - Nanda
> Believe culture is superior to others, media promotes view success in global market due to this
> Worship of gods now create a worshipping nation, hinduism now a civil religion
> Also penetrated public life, Hindu sciences e.g. astrology to predict natural disasters
Capitalism in East Asia
> Tiger economies e.g. Korea & Singapore - now industrialised, big forces in global economy as well as China
> Spirit of capitalism in Chinese as Confucianism encourage hard work, discipline & self-improvement
> Similar to protestant work ethic as it creates economic productivity & gain of capital.
Berger - Pentecostalism in Latin America
> Had similar impact to Calvinism in EU, encourages people to better themselves work their way out of poverty not waiting for salvation
> Thus improves inspiring followers to adopt a dedicated work ethic
> e.g. Brazil & Chile have pentecostalist middle class leading capitalist development
Lehmann - Pentecostalism: Global & Local
> Successful global religion due to ability to incorporate local beliefs
> Whilst giving people access to greater power e.g Holy Spirit, creating new local religious forms, not replacing existing beliefs
> e.g. Africa & Africanisation of Christianity whilst maintaining indigenous religions
Fundamentalism developing in the West (Bruce)
> Countries becoming too pluralistic and consumerist and therefore losing values.
> Becoming too tolerant of others
> Bring the country back to God
Fundamentalism developing in the 3rd world
Iranian Revolution
Western countries trying to impose their norms and values and this is resisted by the host nation through fundamentalism
