Religion and Social Change Flashcards
religion as a conservative force
Some sociologists argue that religion upholds traditions on how society should be organised. Church of England - bribe must ‘love, honour and obey’ the groom. Religion seeks to see things as they are. It is conservative because it functions to conserve or preserve things as they are, it stabilises and maintains the status quo
who agrees with religion as a conservative force
Functionalism
Marxists
Feminists
functionalism - religion and consensus
Functionalists see religion as a conservative force because it upholds the value consensus which helps maintain social solidarity and prevents anomie. It reduces the likelihood of society collapsing through individuals pursuing their own selfish interests at the expense of others. It also helps individuals deal with stress that would otherwise disrupt society. Religion socialises and binds people together
traditional Marxists
They see religion as a conservative ideology that prevents social change, it reinforces capitalist ideology and supports the social order. It legitimises inequality, creates FCC in the WC and prevents revolution that would lead to a classless society. Thereby, maintaining the stability of capitalist society.
feminists
Feminists see religion as a conservative force because it acts as an ideology that legitimates patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination in the family and wider society. Religion perpetuates patriarchal power.
religion as a force for change - weber
Weber argues that religion can be a force for social change, he studied the rise of Calvinism in his study of the protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism and how it helped bring about major social change. Protestantism was a movement against the dominant teachings and practices of the Catholic Church such as the idea that the pope has no authority over purgatory. Weber argues that Calvinism changed society’s structures and developed capitalism in the 16-17th century. Calvinism shaped the spirit of capitalism in 3 ways - Predestination - only a fixed number of souls could get into heaven and God knew who they were
Asceticism - God favours a frugal lifestyle
Vocation/Calling - working for a living is a righteous duty, idleness is a sin. In Weber’s view this was one of the causes of modern capitalism as their work ethic made them accumulate wealth.
evals of weber
Kautsky argues that capitalism arrived before Calvinism, economic factors made capitalism not cultural factors. Towney argues that technological change, not religious ideas created capitalism. It was only after capitalism was established that the bourg adopted Calvinist beliefs to legitimise their pursuit of economic gain. Calvinism did not develop in every country where there were Calvinists - scotland
religion and social change - marxists
Dual character of religion - while marxists see religion as a conservative ideology. They recognise that it has a dual character. Engels argues that although religion inhibits change by disguising inequality it can also challenge the status quo and encourage social change. For example, religion sometimes preaches liberation from slavery and misery. Also, although high ranking usually support the status quo, lower ranks might challenge inequality. The dual character is structural - Bloch sees religion as having a dual character, as a marxist he accepts that religion can inhibit change but he recognises that it can inspire protest. For bloch, religion is an expression of the principle of hope - our dreams of the perfect world, which can sometimes deceive people with heavenly rewards. They may also help to see what needs to be changed in the world. This dual character is also ideological
liberation theology
1960s movement occurring in the catholic church of Latin America. It focused on alleviating poverty and resisting military dictatorships. They helped workers from base communities and the church protected workers fighting oppression. It was condemned by pope jean paul II, as he felt priests should focus on pastoral activities. The Success of liberation theology had led neo-marxists to question the view that religion is a conservative force. Maduro argues that religion can be a force for social change. In the case of liberation theology, religious ideas radicalised the catholic clergy in defence of peasants and workers. The church saw serving the poor as part of a Christian duty which encouraged believers to change their communities.
tradmarx and liberation theology
It brought about democracy not the end of capitalism
religion and hegemony
Gramsci argues that religion has a dual character, it can support and challenge the ruling class. Popular forms of religion can help workers see through the RC hegemony by offering a view of a better fairer society. Some clergy may as organic intellectuals they can help workers see the situation they are in and support WC organisations
religion and class conflict
Billings compared two evangelical groups fighting for working rights in Kentucky, he applied Gramsci’s ideas. One of them coal miners and the other - textile workers - the miners were much more militant while the textile workers accepted the status quo. The coalminers were more successful because their leaders were organic intellectuals that helped convert miners to the union cause, the miners used their independent church to organise, and church leaders supported the miner’s cause. Billings concluded that religion can play a prominent oppositional role
religion and social protest
Bruce argues that religion can be used to bring about change in society, he uses the CRM as an example and argues that the black clergy were the backbone of the CRM led by MLK
religion and social protest case studies - CRM
Moral high ground
Acting as an honest broker - churches can provide a context for negotiating change because they are often respected institutions.
mobilising public opinion and calling for unity
religious right in america - a failed movement for change - stuggle to cooperate with othe religios groups
lacks wides spread public support
