RELIGION

Question 1

Role of religion in society

Answer 1

Religion can function as both a catalyst for social change and a conservative force maintaining the status quo

Question 2

What did Max Webers work teach us about calvinists and when did this work happen

Answer 2

1905

Calvinist beliefs influenced the development of capitalism through concepts such as aesthetic lifestyle and predestination

Question 3

Religious conflict

Answer 3

Religion often drives social conflict particularly globally

Israeli-Palestinian tensions between Jews and Muslims
Hindu-Muslim conflicts in India
Protestant-catholic divisions in Northern Ireland

Question 4

Religious fundamentalism

Answer 4

• rejects modernity and seeks to impose traditional beliefs on society
• opposes liberal values regarding women’s roles, sexuality and marriage
• found across multiple religions, Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism
• militant groups include Hamas, Boko haram, Islamic state and lords resistance army

Question 5

Religion and social stability

Answer 5

• functions to integrate society through shared values
  -often maintains political and social status quo
• established religions frequently have state privileges and connections with political leadership
• example includes Church of England with monarch as supreme governor

Question 6

Churches

Answer 6

• formal hierarchical structure with paid officials
• open membership, typically through birth
• appeal to middle class
• close ties with state and established order

Question 7

Sects

Answer 7

• small groups led by charismatic leader
• exclusive salvation beliefs
• strict moral codes
• appeal to lower social classes

Some types of sects
Conversionist-salvation army - try to change the world
Adventist- Jehovah’s Witness - waiting on divine intervention
Introversionist- Amish - live away from society

Question 8

Denominations

Answer 8

• formal rules for leadership succession
• moderate commitment requirements
• accept multiple paths to salvation
• tolerant of wider society

Question 9

Cults

Answer 9

• loosely structured
• often focus on personal fulfilment
• appeal to middle class
• may involve payment for services
• examples could be yoga and crystal healing practices , Scientology

Question 10

3 main categories for New religious movements

Answer 10

1 world affirming
2 world accommodating
3 world rejecting

Question 11

World affirming

Answer 11

• accept societal values
• focus on personal success
• example - transcendental meditation

Question 12

World accommodating

Answer 12

• often offshoots of established churches
• seek spiritual purity
• may practice special gifts like prophecy

Question 13

World rejecting

Answer 13

• reject mainstream society
• strict structure
• examples - people’s temple and branch davidian

Question 14

Characteristics of NRMs

Answer 14

• Convert-based membership
• appeal to younger, middle class individuals
• charismatic leader
• rapid evolution compared to established religions
• often face societal tension
• members typically join due to social grievances and interpersonal connections

Question 15

Vicarious religion

Answer 15

People do not identify religious beliefs they identify religious people, places and ceremonies

Question 16

Belief without belonging

Answer 16

Belief in supernatural is high while religious practices are substantially lower and has declined more quickly

Question 17

Religiosity

Answer 17

How we measure the levels of religion in a society.
Measure through surveys and memberships such as churches

Question 18

New age movements

Answer 18

• no holy text
• no central organisation
• no formal membership
• no ordained ministers
• no central body or belief
• greater emphasis on individualism
• developed in western world in the 1970s
• they are an alternative to NRMs
• focus on such diverse concerns such as inner spirituality and the environment and astrology