Religion and Social Change

Question 1

Functionalism - religion as a conservative force, preventing social change

Answer 1

relgion acts a barrier to social change, according to functionalists and they see this as a positive thing.
> change in society is undesirable and can lead to traditions, norms and values of society being at risk, anomie occurs where societies plunge into social chaos.
> in anomic societies norms, values and social solidarity are lost.
Malinowski claims that religion does 2 things for society:
1. helps deal with uncertainty
2. helps with a life crisis
EVALUATION - functionalists overlook how religion often fails to prevent social change.
FOR EXAMPLE - despite objections from the Church of England, Catholic Church and Muslim council of Britain same sex marriages laws were introduced in 2014, showing that they cannot prevent social change.

Question 2

Marxism

Answer 2

Marxists agree with functionalists that religion prevents social change, but Marxists see this as a negative thing, they want social change.
> Marxists use of the phrase “opium of the people” implies religion has a drug-like effect, “dulling”, keeping people passive and unaware of the oppression they may be facing.
> religion “dulls the pain of oppression”.
> the Church of England close relationship with the state helps to ensure that the inequalities that underpin society are not tackled.
EVALUATION - Marxists overlook how secularisation undermines their own argument, there is a huge decline is religious commitment therefore it is difficult to see how it can be successful in inhibiting change.

Question 3

Feminism

Answer 3

Like Marxists, feminists also see religion as something that prevents social change, religion reinforces patriarchal ideology and allows for and justifies oppressive treatment towards women.
> religion acts a barrier for women stopping them from enjoying true equality with men, according to feminists.
> women are told to wear the veil and cover up their body, religion prevents true female liberation.
EVALUATION - womens roles changing, in 2014 the first female bishop in Church of England, Libby Lane. Showing that the church can embrace change.
Social change does occur, despite strong religiosity - women can drive in Saudi Arabia - a step towards equality for women.

Question 4

Webers views of religion

Answer 4

religious beliefs can be a major influence on economic behaviour, it can shape and influence the economy.
> rather than the other way round which is what Marx said. Therefore it can create and shape social change.
> the hard work-ethic that Calvinist Christians adopted from the 17th century, started off and began capitalism.
> in believing that hard work would invite a message of approval from God, Calvinists has a hard work ethic which kick started capitalism it self.
> they worked hard to please God and assure a place in Heaven.
EVALUATION - capitalism pre-dates Calvinism, meaning that capitalism existed before Calvinism therefore it does not start capitalism.

Question 5

Neo- marxism

Answer 5

Liberation theology in South America during the 1950s and 60s.
> The catholic church helped to promote social change by encouraging the proletariat to “lift themselves out of poverty”.
> this meant making the poor realise they are poor and motivate them to work hard to get out of this lifestyle.
> the church helped this by setting up literacy programmes and helping take on corrupt, unfair rule by governments.

Question 6

Civil rights movement in the USA (Steve Bruce)

Answer 6

Steve Bruce points out that the black clergy helped to highlight injustices of the apartheid (separation of whites and blacks) and condemning such behaviour as morally unjust and against Gods will.
> slowly but surely the movement started to influence people, bringing an end to the apartheid creating a society fair for all/
EVALUATION - religiously inspired social change has not always succeeded.
FOR EXAMPLE - ISIS have attempted to create social change but have not been successful.

Question 7

Meredith McGuire (2002)

Answer 7

religion can create social change in some circumstances and some social conditions.
a number of factors help to show how influencial religion actually is:
1. religions focus: whether the religions focus is on worldly matters, or whether they focus on spiritual matters, McGuire says where beliefs encourage people to make changes, social change occurs.
2. Religions relationship in society: in societies where religion is more important, it will have a larger impact and can shape and influence social change. However strong religion can also prevent social change, therefore there is no clear answer to this debate.

Question 8

`