Interpretivism

Question 1

Berger

- Universe of meaning

Answer 1

• Religion provides a ‘universe of meaning’ - a set of beliefs and values which help people to make sense of the world.
• Help people’s lives focus, order and meaning.

For example:
Religion answers the big questions of life such as life and death, poverty, injustice and inequality.

Question 2

Berger

- Sacred canopy

Answer 2

• Religion acts as a sacred canopy stretching over society.
• Religion is a shield protecting people from uncertainties, meaninglessness and pointlessness of life.
• Religion helps people to interpret and make sense of the world and their position in it.

Question 3

Weber

Answer 3

Calvinism

• Christian Protestant religion.
• Changed people’s ideas, values and behaviour, resulting in a wider economic change to capitalism.
• Calvinists values reflect capitalism.
• Weber believes they started capitalism.
• They believe in predestination.
• Whether or not you are saved or one of the elect is decided by god before you’re born.
• The decision is unchangeable.
• Look for a sign that they’re an elect.
• Hard work, self-discipline and self-denial. sleeping longer than necessary and socialising is a sin.
• Being successful in business must be a sign that god had chosen them to go to heaven.
• Once they achieve material success, they reinvest profit into their business.
• Beliefs and actions of the calvinists encouraged society to change into a capitalist society.