Postmodren Views On Role Of Religion

Question 1

religion changes in the postmodren society

Answer 1

· Religious diversity and pluralism has increased and traditional religions have declined

· Religion no longer functions to provide social solidarity as there is such diversity of beliefs

· Individuals ‘pick and mix’ religious beliefs and practices to suit their identities and lifestyles

· Religion is based more in consumerism and as such religion is a commodity and we are spiritual shoppers

· Religion has been relocated – out of traditional institutional settings like Churches and experienced instead at home, other public settings, online and through the media

Question 2

hervieu-leger

spiritual shoppers

Answer 2

Hervieu-Leger argues that religious participation has changed in the postmodern era. She argues we have seen a decline in traditional religious institutions as children are no longer socialised into religious beliefs and participation. She argues that instead, religion is a personal choice for individuals rather than an inherited, fixed identity.

She argues therefore that individuals in society have become ‘spiritual shoppers’; we are consumers with choices about the religious beliefs and practices we choose to engage with, and we choose elements of religion which fit with our chosen identities and lifestyles.

Religion therefore no longer acts as a source of collective identity as there is huge diversity of religious beliefs and practices.

Question 3

evaluation of hervieu-leger

Answer 3

However, Hervieu-Leger does recognise that religion does continue to have some influence on society’s values e.g. the values of equality and human rights have their roots in religion.

Question 4

lyon

religion bcoming ‘disembedded’

Answer 4

Lyon agrees with Hervieu-Leger that religion has become a commodity and individuals have become consumers of religion. He argues that this is even more prominent due to the process of globalisation which has allowed ideas and beliefs to cross national boundaries resulting in increased diversity and choice. Lyon also argues that this has led to the relocation of religion. Religion has become ‘disembedded’ from real life, local churches and is instead experienced virtually via the internet and the media. Religion is also experienced in other public and social places – Lyon describes a religious Harvest Day Crusade which took place not in a church but in Disneyland. Through these examples Lyon emphasises the increased element of personal choice in religious beliefs and practices and the significant changes that religion has undergone in a postmodern era.

Question 5

bauman

postmodrenity led to a crises of meaning

Answer 5

Bauman contributes to our understanding of why individuals are still drawn to religion in a postmodern world. He argued that postmodernity has led to a ‘crisis of meaning’. There is no longer a stable sense of morality – right and wrong – and there are no universal truths about the universe and its meaning. This is due to increased diversity and fragmentation of beliefs and values and a decline in collective values. Therefore, people are in a crisis of meaning and searching for moral guidance in terms of how to live their lives. Religion and religious leaders are ‘experts’ in this field, and as such people turn to religion to provide meaning and moral guidance in an uncertain world.

Question 6

evaluation of postmodren usefulness

Answer 6

However, Postmodernism as an approach is only useful if we assume that we actually live in a postmodern society. The idea that we live in a postmodern society is one theory put forward by a group of sociologists, and whether or not society has actually changed that significantly is up for debate.