Beliefs- Topic 5(Paper2) Flashcards
Explain the features of fundamentalism. An authoritative sacred text.
Every word of the Bible is true, it’s truths are valid for all eternity and contains answers to life questions.
Explain the features of fundamentalism. An ‘us and them’ mentality.
They separate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to compromise with it.
Explain the features of fundamentalism. Aggressive reaction.
Fundamentalist movements aim to draw attention to the threat to their beliefs and values and their reactions are therefore aggressive.
Explain the features of fundamentalism. Use of modern technology.
Fundamentalists oppose modern culture which they see as corrupted by secularism, liberalism, materialism, permissiveness and promiscuity.
Explain the features of fundamentalism. Patriarchy.
Hawley notes that fundamentalists favour a world in which control over women’s sexuality, reproductive powers.
Explain the features of fundamentalism. Prophecy.
Christian fundamentalists proclaim the relevance of biblical prophecies to contemporary events.
Explain the features of fundamentalism. Conspiracy theories.
Fundamentalists are often attracted to conspiracy theories:the idea that powerful, hidden, evil forces and organisations are in control of human destiny.
According to Davie, why are fundamentalists the product of modernity?
Fundamentalism occurs where those who hold traditional orthodox beliefs and values and threatened by modernity and feel the need to defend themselves against it.
According to Giddens, why does late modern society encourage fundamentalism?
Individuals are constantly forced with choice, uncertainty and risk.
Define cosmopolitan.
Is a way of thinking about the world that embraces modernisation is characterised by diversity, freedom, choice and uncertainty.
What do cosmopolitan religions and spirituality emphasise?
Emphasises pursuit of personal meaning rather than submission to authority.
According to Batman, why does postmodern society lead some people to fundamentalism?
It heightens uncertainty and risk and as such fundamentalism attempts to restore certainty and elimate ‘risk’.
Explain the resistance identity response to postmodernist that Castells identified.
A defensive reaction of those who feel threatened and thus turn to fundamentalism.
Explain the project identity response to postmodernist that Castells identified.
A forward looking response which embraces progression and change.
4 criticisms of Giddens, Bauman and Castells.
-Theybignore ‘Hybrid’ communities where cosmopolitanism and fundamentalism are not polar opposites eg. the use of media technologies.
- They are fixated on how globalisation affects fundamentalism and ignore its effect on ‘general’ religions.
-Giddens doesn’t distinguish between types of fundamentalism.
-Extremism isn’t just a reaction to globalisation but also to more ‘localised’ problems.
Define monotheism.
Believing in a single God.
According to Bruce, why’s fundamentalism confined to monotheistic religions?
Monotheist religions are very rigid and have one overriding through. Other religions which have a pantheon of Gods tend to have far more scope and are more accepting of change as they are open to many interpretations and views.
Explain Bruce’s ‘2 fundamentalisms.’
In the West.
In the Third World.
In the West- usally develops as a result of changes occurring within their own societies. Eg. The Christian’s New Right in the USA.
In the Third World- Tends to develop as a response to ‘outsider’ cultures forcing change on these Third World societies (usalky Westerners impsoing on Easten Cultures) Eg. Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Explain Davie’s 2 phases of modernity and how they give rise to different forms of fundamentalism? a
The first phase- religious fundamentalism- Enlightenment (late 18th century to 1960s) Power of science and reason led to secularisation. This growth in secularisation led to the growth of fundamentalism as a reaction to the new way of thinking.
The second phase- Secular Fundamentalism- from the 1970s- Enlightenment under attached mood of pessimism and uncertainty loss of faith in enlightenment people return to religious views and this results in fundamentalism.
Why does David claim that secular ideologies are struggling for survival?
Secular ideologies struggles due to issues such as globalisation damage to the environment and so resort to nationalism and fundamentalism.
Why might secular fundamentalism be seen as cultural racism?
Ansell (2000)
Uses universal equality and social integration as an excuse to exclude religious and cultural minorities.
Lost Huntingtion’s 7 civilisations.
-Western
-Latin American
-Confucian
-Japanese
-Islamic
-Hindu
-Slavie-Orthodox
How had globalisation led to increased conflict between religions?
This is happening more than ever because religion is becoming more important as a source of national identity. Globalisation means that civilisations are more likely to be in contact with each other means old conflicts re-emerge easier in the globalised world, religion creates an ‘us vs them’ mentality as competition for wealth and power grows on a global scale.
According to Huntington, why are religious conflicts harder to resolve than political ones?
They are deeply rooted in culture and history. Huntington believes that the West threat and a ‘West vs the rest’ campaign is emerging and as such the West need to reassert their Christian Identity.
Criticisms of Huntington’s clash of civilisations theory.
-Jackson 2006 sees Huntington’s work as an example of orientalism- a Wesrern ideology that stereotypes Easten nations.
-Casanova 2005 argues that Huntington’s view is simplistic and ignores important religious divisions.
-Horrie and Chippindale 2007 see the clash of civilisations as a grossly misleading neo-conservative ideology that portrays the whole of Islam as an enemy.
Acceding to Inglehart and Norris, what’s the real clash of civilisations?
Religion and politics doesn’t cause a ‘clan of civilisations- it is attitudes to sexuality and gender liberalism that cause the real ‘clash’.
What is meant by cultural defence?
This is where religion serves to unite a community against an external threat.
Using the example of Poland and Iran, explain how religion may be used to defend national identity.
-Poland- From 1945 to 1989, Poland was under communist rule, imposed from outside by the soviet union- during this time the Catholic Church was suppressed but for many poles it continued to embody polish national identity.
-Iran- Western capitalist powers and oil companies had long influence in Iran, including involvement in the illegal overthrow of a democratic government in the 1950s to install a pro-western regime headed by Shah of Iran.
What impact has globalisation had in India?
Brought about rapid economic growth and the emergence of an ultra-national Hindu middle class.
According to Nanda, why has prosperity in India led to an increase in religiosity?
Middle classes use religion to ‘spiritually balance’ themselves easing any guilt they may feel at pursing a materialist lifestyle.
How has Hinduism changed in response to the increased wealth of many Indians?
Hinduism no longer teaches that wealth accumulation is bad: gurus preach that material desire is a ‘manifestation of divinity’ which motivates people to be proactive in life.
In what way can Hinduism be seen as a form of civil religion in India?
Hinduism represents the worship Indian society as a whole, 93% of indians see their country as superior to others and 85% of indians are Hindue; Hinduism forms the basis of Indian values.
What problems might the link between Hinduism and the state cause for non-Hindus?
Non-Hindus may find themselves being oppressed or having Hindu ideas forced upon them (Eg. Hindu science, Hindu weapons and Hindu medicine.)
According to Redding, what are the similarities between post-Confucian values and to the Calvinist values that encouraged capitalism in Europe?
East Asian Tiger economies of communities like China, Taiwan and Singapore have boomed in part due to modern or post confucian values emerging: these are similar to the old Calvinist Protestant work ethic and encourages wealth accumulation.
According to Berger, in what way are pentecostal beliefs similar to Webber’s protestant ethic?
Pentecostalism demands an ascetic lifestyle in which people reject pleasure and commit time to work.
Using the example of northern Brazil, explain why developmeh relies on more than pentecostal beliefs.
In Brazil the middle class are usally pentecostal however there are still problems with deprivation in Northern Brazil as it lacks the resources needed for economic development.
Explain how Pentecostalism embraces both global and local elements.
Pentecostal thrives globally because it adapts to local customs making it popular with poor communities; it also uses global media to remind people that they’re part of a wider community.
