Classical theories Flashcards
Marx - how religion justifies social inequality
They have the afterlife to look forward to if they don’t sin - restrain from challenging capitalism
Their position is decided by god - encourages false consciousness by blaming god rather than capitalism
Although god is omnipotent, he doesn’t do anything to stop suffering - people think this must be how society is meant to be
Marx
Religion helps to oppress workers and inhibits social change, due to their state of false consciousness - “religion is the opium of the people”
Marxist criticism
Our fragmented postmodern society is much more secular than when Marx was writing - if people don’t worship then they can’t be duped by religious ideology
Religion can be a force for change against oppression - El Salvador, Oscar Romero
Functionalism
Religion maintains harmony and social cohesion through inhibiting change - creating social order based on value consensus
Durkheim
Studied aboriginal society - the sacred worship of totems is equivalent worshipping society itself - sacred religious worship encourages shared values
Malinowski
Studied a fishing village in the pacific - found that religion is used to deal with situations of emotional stress that threaten social order. They used rituals before fishing to create a sense of control over the uncontrollable - religion promoting stability
Parsons
Religion provides guidelines for human action in terms of core values - helps to integrate people into society and allows them to make sense of their lives
Bellah
Civil religion - secular symbols and rituals create social cohesion in a similar way to religion
A collective feeling is produced, which generates order and stability
Functionalism criticism
Ignores dysfunctional aspects of religion - worldwide religious conflicts, a source of oppression
It also ignores that religion can bring about changes in social order
Engels
In some circumstances, religion could be a revolutionary force for change - perhaps the only means of change as all other routes are blocked
Religion as a force for change
Jesus encouraged social change
1970s catholic priests in Latin America criticised the bourgeoisie and preached liberation theology - using religion to free people from oppression
Martin Luther king, a minister of the southern baptist church, brought about political and social rights for black people in 1960s America
Maduro
Neo marxist
“Religion is often one of the main available channels to bring about a social revolution”
Weber
Religion creates capitalism - the Protestant work ethic and the spirit of capitalism
Religious ideas bringing about social change
Calvinism
Predestination - your life is already predetermined by god, and only a few were chosen for heaven, creating anxiety
Ascetic ideal - working hard (work ethic) in your job was a solution to this anxiety, success being a sign that you were chosen for heaven (creates spirit of capitalism)
Eisenstaedt
Contradicts weber
Capitalism occurred in catholic countries like Italy way before the Protestant reformation
