Conservatism or Social change

Question 1

1) religion as a conservative force

Answer 1

• conservative in the sense of being traditional (customs, morals). Upholds traditional beliefs about how society should be.

Question 2

2) religion as a conservative force

Answer 2

conservative because it functions to preserve things as they are - stabilizes society and maintains the status quo

Question 3

1) religion’s conservative belies

Answer 3

most religions have conservative beliefs on moral issues, quite restrictive for some individuals. for example, the catholic church forbids, abortion, gay marriage, etc.

Question 4

2) religion’s conservative functions

Answer 4

functionalism and religion - conservative because it maintains social stability and prevents society from disintegrating.

marxism and religion - conservative force because it sues ideology that prevents social change through promoting false class consciousness.

feminism and religion - see religion as a conservative force because it acts as an ideology that legitimates patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination

Question 5

religion as a force for change

Answer 5

Weber argues that it is the protestant Calvinsts work ethic that helped bring about major changes in the form of capitalism. Modern capitalism is based on the systematic, efficient pursuit of profit for its own sake, rather than consumption.

Question 6

religion as a force for change - social protest

Answer 6

Bruce uses two case studies to compare the role of religiously inspired movements in America that tried to change society.

• the American civil rights movements
• the new Christian Right

Question 7

the American civil rights movements

Answer 7

black civil movements of the 1960s is an example of religiously motivated change. Bruce describes the black clergy as the backbone of the movement. Church provided a meeting place and sanctuary from the threat of white violence, and prayer and hymn singing helped unite people in the face of oppression.

Question 8

ideological resource

Answer 8

provided beliefs and practice that protestors could draw on for support.

Question 9

liberation theology

Answer 9

Maudro says that religious ideas radicalized the Catholic church in defense of peasants and the poor, changing their theology to support their liberation, making them see that serving the poor was part of their christian duty.

Question 10

evaluation of the liberation theology

Answer 10

the liberation theology movement did not succeed in redistribution of Wealth to the poor, but it did help bring democracy in some countries, therefore, still providing a source of social change.

Question 11

1) summary of religion as a force for change/conservative force

Answer 11

some sociologists would argue that religion does not always uphold traditional beliefs and function to maintain the status quo. For example, Weber argues the Protestant Ethic contributed to the birth of rational capitalism, bringing about economic change in society.

Question 12

2) summary of religion as a force for change/conservative force

Answer 12

Weber is criticized by Marxists, who may suggest that economic factors were the main cause for this change. in this view religion reflects but does not cause the change

Question 13

3) summary of religion as a force for change/conservative force

Answer 13

other Marxists such as Maudro, who gives the liberation theology as an example, argue that religion has potential to bring about change.

Question 14

4) summary of religion as a force for change/conservative force

Answer 14

religious organizations have actively supported campaigns for social change, examples of this including the US civil rights movement have succeeded.