Religion and social change Flashcards
Why is religion seen as a conservative force
Upholds traditional values and conserves traditional ideas
Function of religion
- Consensus (PARSONS)
- Patriarchy (HOLM)
- Capitalism (MARX)
Weber
Sees religion as a force for social change, argues it was calvinism that led to capitalism throughout europe
Calvinism values
- predestination
- divine transcendence
- calling or vocation
ASCETISM
Other worldy ascetism - Monk
This worldly acetism - Humble and not extravagant
Why did ancient India and China not thrive economically
- India has a other-worldy ascetism and was more spiritual
- Confucianism was this worldy however they werent ascetic meaning this prevent them from devloping capitalism
The American Civil Rights Movement
religious institutions helped
Bruce sees religion as an ideological resource as it
- Taking moral high ground
- channeling dissent
- acting as an honest broker
- mobilising public opinion
Bruce argues that is how religion influences social change
The New Christian Right
Their aim was to make homosexuality/abortion/gay marriage illegal and return conservative values
- Bruce says its been unsuccessful as it is difficult to co operate with other groups and it lacks mainstream widespread support
-FAILED MOVEMENT
Most americans are okay with legalisng immoral facts.
Marxism religon and change
The principle of hope
- Ernst Bloch says religion can influence change both positively and negatively, it can influence positive social change alongside also promoting rebellion and protest
Marxism religon and change
Liberation theology
This refers to catholic change. The priests decided ot change society through education and awareness, unline traditional catholocism which accepts the status quo.
This was in the 70s, as in the 80s the pope decided to condemn the liberation theology as it distracted the priests from pastoral tasks and made them focus on political struggle.
Maduro
Lowy
Lowy - Religion reproduces social inequalitty
Maduro - Religon is a large force that can bring about change.
Marxism religon and change
The pentecostal challenge
Lehmann identidies that the liberation theology has faced competition from the pentecostal churches that also work to help the poor.
The difference is where the liberation theology works to help people RADICAL JEAND AND SANDALS , the pentecostal churches push the idea of the poor pulling themselves through their individual efforts CONSERVATIVE SUIT AND TIE
Marxism religon and change
Millenarian movements
Millenarian movements refer to implementing the kingdom of god in day-to-day life to reduce suffering and poverty. This appeals to the poor as it provides an instant solution to their suffering.
WORSELEY argues that they mix ideas of traditional worship with those of christianity - such as sufferers being rewarded in heaven
Def of Millenarian movement
Total transformation of the world by supernatural means
Marxism religon and change
Religion and Hegemony
Hegemony is ideological domination or leadership of society and upon this being established the ruling class rely on popular consent so they dont need to co-erce.
But this isntalways the case and there may be counter hegemony. Popular forms of religion can see through ruling class hegemony by offering a fairer more equal world. Gramsci sees religon as hab=ving a dual personality and can either support/disregard ruling class ideology.
