religion and social change Flashcards
social action theory
weber - religion is used by people to make sense of the world
this is how they interact with the world
took a micro view, (bottom up rather than structural going down) that some people use religion to explain wealth, status and power
saw people as having free will and choice. our actions are not determined by society, rather we are free agents, creating and shaping society through our choices
weber
calvinism helped bring about major social change, specifically the emergence of modern capitalism in northern europe in the 16th and 17th centuries
calvinists led and ascetic lifestyle, shunning all luxury, worked long hours and practised rigorous self discipline. this hard work had two consequences:
- their wealth and success performed a psychological function that allowed them to cope with their salvation panic. as they grew wealthier, they took this as a sign as god’s favour for their salvation
- driven by their work ethic, they systematically accumulated wealth by the most efficient and rational ways possible. by not permitting themselves to squander it on luxuries, they reinvested it in their businesses, which grew and prospered, producing further profit to reinvest
in weber’s view this is the very spirit of modern capitalism - where the object is simply the acquisition of more and more money as an end in itself
evaluation of weber
kausty - overestimates the role of ideas and underestimates economic factors which brough capitalism into being
tawney - technological change, not religious ideas caused the brith of capitalism, and the bourgeoisie used calvinist beliefs to legitimate their economic gain
american civil rights movement
black people were denied legal and political rights in many southern states where segregation was enforced, preventing them from using the same amenities as white people
started in 1955 when rosa parks refused to sit at the back of the bus. campaigning involved direct action by black people themselves, involving protest marches, boycotts, and demonstrations
bruce - describes the black clergy as the back bone of the movement. led by martin luther king, they played a decisive role giving support and moral legitimacy to civil rights activists. churches provided a sanctuary from the threat of white violence, and prayer meetings and hymn singing were a source of unity
the civil rights movement as an ideological resource
taking the moral high ground - black clergy pointed out the hypocrisy of the white clergy who preached ‘love thy neighbour’, but supported racial segregation
channelling dissent - religion provides channels to express political dissent. for example, the funeral of martin luther king was a rallying point for the civil rights cause
acting as an honest broker - churches can provide a context for negotiating change because they are often respected by both sides as seen standing above ‘mere politics’
mobilising of public opinion - black churches in the south successfully campaigned for support across the whole of america
bruce - sees the civil rights movements as an example of religion becoming involved in secular struggle to bring about change. the movement achieved its aims because it shared the same values as wider society and those in power
liberation theology
emerged within the catholic church in latin america at the end of the 1960s, with a strong commitment to the poor and the opposition to military dictatorships of the time
major change of direction for the catholic church in latin america - for centuries, it had been an extremely conservative institution, encouraging a fatalistic acceptance of poverty and supporting wealthy elites and military dictatorships
factors that led to liberation theology:
- deepening rural poverty and the growth of urban slums
- human rights abuses following military takeovers such as torture and death squads murdering political opponents in argentina, brazil and chile
- the growing commitment among catholic priests to an ideology that supported the poor and opposed violations of human rightsl
liberation theology as social change
priests helped the poor to establish support groups called ‘base communities’, and helped workers and peasants to fight oppression under the protection of the church. developed literacy programmes and educating the poor
1970s - priests were often the only authority figures who took the side of the oppressed when dictatorships were in power. however, during the 1980s, the church’s official attitude changed. pope john paul ii condemned liberation theology on the grounds that it resembled marxism, and instructed priests to concentrate on pastoral activities not political struggle
casanova - played an important part in resisting state terror and bringing about democracy
maduro - religion can be a revolutionary force that brings about change. the case of liberation theology, religious ideas radicalised the catholic clergy in defence of peasants and workers, making them see that serving the poor was part of their christian duty
