Postmodernism - Beliefs Flashcards
What are the features of a Postmodern society?
- Individuation
- Rejection of meta narratives
- Globalisation
- Identity is chosen (rather than given)
- Loss of faith in science and technology
How has religion taken on the features of a postmodern world?
- People ‘pick and mix’ their religion making hybrids
= contributed to the rise of NRMs/NAMs - no single claim to the truth
What does Lyotard suggest?
There has been a loss of confidence in metanarratives provided by science, religion and politics
What does Bunting suggest?
DIY Cocktail:
- we take a pick and mix approach, selecting elements of different faiths that appeal to us
What does Lyon suggest?
Spiritual shoppers:
- Religion has relocated to the sphere of consumption
- Christian rally held at Disney Land = there has been a blurring of boundaries between different aspects of social life
- Popular culture has merged with religion giving people a less traditional, more familiar environment to explore religion
What does Bauman suggest?
Crisis of meaning:
- Traditional religions cannot deal with this crisis
BUT new religions or expressions of religiosity can restore meaning - these new religions are tailored by individuals to fit their particular identities.
How do NRMs and NAMs reflect postmodern ideas in terms of hybridity?
Many of the new organisations are a mixture of several religious traditions
How do NRMs and NAMs reflect postmodern ideas in terms of choice and consumerism?
Religion is about consumer choice, belonging to a particular NRM or NAM says a lot about who people are or want to be
How do NRMs and NAMs reflect postmodern ideas in terms of technology?
Many religious make considerable use of communication technology such as websites for contact with dispersed membership.
Technology increases the potential choice offered to people - ‘virtual religions’
How has religious pluralism undermined religion (secularisation)?
- Religions may undermine faith as they compete against each other
- Religious leaders no longer have absolute credibility because their views are only one amongst many
- The uncertainty caused by postmodernism living has led to people desperately seeking answers to questions
What do Giddens and Bauman suggest the rise of fundamentalism is due to?
A response to uncertainty as it provides clear and unambiguous answers in a world characterised by anomie
How does Fundamentalism challenge the postmodern perspectives on religion?
Shows religion in some parts of the world is becoming stronger than ever. Traditional religions are resurging rather than being replaced = religion not diverse in all cultures
Why does Armstrong suggest fundamentalism has arisen?
Due to a range of political and economic factors - the groups feel their religions are being threatened by liberal values in the secular West
What is Holden’s evaluation on the Postmodern view of religion?
- A multi-faith society does not necessarily mean that each religion will been seen as having equal status - e.g. most people in Britain identify as Christian = dominant religion
- Fails to recognise that religion continues to exercise control over certain groups in society
