Interpretvists And Post Modernity Flashcards
Do interpretivists argue religion is a conservative force?
Berger and Kellner
Religion IS a conservative force
What is the Interpretivist belief in role of the religion
Plausibility Structure: helps explain and answer big questions?
Scared Canopy: brings harmony, reinforces shared universe of meaning, keeps society as stable
Feel at home: without feel anomie and homeless
Post Modernity key characteristics
Belief in death of meta narrative Cult of expert dead - flight deference Choice and diversity - pick & mix Individualism and reflexivity Relativism Globalisation Mass communications - internet/satellite Decline boundaries/identities - link differentiation Consumerism
Impact post modernity on flight from deference
Less likely to turn to church
Impact post modernity on globalisation
People exposed to a variety of cultures and belief systems - some write of ‘easternisation of religion’
How does individualism and reflexivity impact on religion
People free to create new individualised identities sometimes ‘virtual identities’
How does post modernity emphasis on consumerism impact on religion
Self-selecting consumers all week - we want choice in all areas of our life
What are the 2 contradictory trends that have developed as a result post modernity
Growth in New Age
Growth Fundamentalist
What is the New Age response
Fits in with post modern world Hybridity and choice Heelas identifies 2 strands: Expressive individualism Utilitarian individualism
What is expressive individualism
Search for god or goddess within, often rejecting materialism
What is utilitarianism individualism
Makes you a better person in market place/more successful manager
Outline fundamentalism
Kepel - growth since 1970s
Provides absolutes in choice of saturated world
What does late modernist Giddens argue
Globalisation: increase in choice and individualism leads increased reflexivity
People question certainties and experts - provide conflicting advice
Creates gap revival - searching for new meaning and identities
Evaluation of Giddens Late Modernity
Sounds almost functionalist with suggestion there is a spiritual need for religion
What does Bauman Post Modernity argue
Agrees Giddens: decline cult expert and traditional church believes a moral and ethical vacuum emerges - morality becomes privatised
Wants to create meaningful lives - ‘be somebody’ create moral identity, turn to religious leaders for help
Evaluation of Bauman
Beckford: if cult of the expert is dead why would they seek out religious leaders
What is Post Modernist Lyons key concept
Jesus in Disneyland
What 2 key changes does Lyons identify
Globalisation/Multiculturalism/Spread Computer Info
Religion moved outside
What does Lyon mean by Globalisation/Multiculturalism/Spread Computer Info
Identities no longer based on local community
Consumerism: people want to be able to do what they want with their time, bodies and Gods
What does Lyon mean by Religion has moved outside
Established churches moved to sphere of consumerism
Still want some aspects as ‘cultural resource’ dip in and out of
But do not need religion as a social institution
Example of Lyons Jesus in Disneyland
Harvest Day Crusade
Singers and artists at Disneyland, religion provided in ultimate post modern setting - blurring of religion and disney
What does Lyon argue on the trend of the past 4 decades
Growth in unconventional practices and spirituality
What does Hervieu-Leger Late modernity argue
Cultural amnesia
Greater equality: led to flight from deference
Consumerism: spiritual shoppers
We become either Pilgrims or Converts
Religion is no longer a source of collective identity
What does Hervieu-Leger mean by cultural amnesia
Modern society - no longer pass traditional religion on to children
No longer have fixed identities
Ignorant of traditional religion
What dies Hervieu-Leger mean by us becoming Pilgrims
Following and searching for own path to God/Spirituality
What does Hervieu-Leger mean by us becoming Converts
Join religious groups which offer strong sense belonging usually based on shared ethnic background or religious doctrine
Why does Hervieu-Leger argue religion no longer acts as a source of collective identity
Provides a foundation for our views on human rights
These values can be basis of shared cultural identity and social solidarity even for those who arent religious
Who researches in to Globalisation
Beyer
What are the outcomes Beyer identifies from globalisation
2 possible outcomes:
Potential Clashes or Potential Benefit
3 possible paths for religion: Retreat, Assert particularistic identity, Adopts universalistic values
What is the difference of Beyers 2 possible globalisation outcomes
Potential Clashes: too many cultures 1 place lead to conflict (particularism)
Potential Benefit: increased communications and contact may lead greater understanding
What are the differences between the 3 possible paths for religion identified by Beyer in globalisation
Retreat: privatised and individualised
Assert particularistic identity: mobilises fragmented people may feel marginalised
Adopts universalistic values: cuts across groups and unites people
Example if Beyers Religion asserting particularistic identity
Fundamentalism often associated with Nationalism - Hinduism and India
What does Beyers conclusions mean
No inevitable demise of religion
What did Hunnington study
Clash of Civilisations
Does Hunnington look at globalisation?
Not by name - but does see travel, migration, mass communications weakened identities if nation states. Since collapse communism political differences less source conflict
What are the 7 civilisations Hunnington identifies
Western, Latin America, Confucianism - China, Japan, Hindu, Islamic, Slavic-Orthodox
What does Hunnington see as the conflict of the future
Increasingly over religious differences and divisions
So many countries developing nuclear capabilities
West under threat potential future military alliance between Islam and Confucianism
West need to reassert Christian identity
Evaluation of Hunningtons Clash of Civilisations
Neo conservative ideology portrays Islam as the enemy
Casanova: ignores conflicts within civilisations
Armstrong: hostility towards west due to foreign policy
