Religion and Social change Flashcards
What are the two broad groups of sociologists studying religion?
Those who see religion as a conservative force and those who see it as a force for social change.
How is religion viewed as a conservative force?
It is seen as traditional, defending customs and moral views, and it functions to preserve the status quo.
What are traditional conservative beliefs in most religions?
Many religions oppose changes allowing more freedom in personal and sexual matters, such as divorce and abortion.
What family values do most religions uphold?
They often favor a traditional patriarchal domestic division of labor, such as the belief that the man should be the head of the family.
How do non-Christian religions reflect traditional conservative values?
For example, Hinduism endorses male domestic authority and arranged marriage.
What role does religion play in maintaining social stability?
Functionalists see it as a conservative force that promotes social solidarity and reduces the likelihood of societal collapse.
How do Marxists and feminists view religion’s role in society?
They see it as an ideology that supports the existing social structure and acts as a means of social control.
What is Marx’s view on religion and capitalism?
He sees religion as a conservative ideology that legitimizes exploitation and prevents social change.
What does Weber argue about Calvinism?
He argues that Calvinism helped bring about modern capitalism through its religious beliefs.
What is the ‘spirit of capitalism’ according to Weber?
It refers to the systematic, rational pursuit of profit for its own sake, which aligns with Calvinist beliefs.
What is predestination in Calvinist beliefs?
It is the belief that God has predetermined who will be saved and that individuals cannot change this.
What does asceticism refer to in Calvinism?
It refers to abstinence and self-discipline, such as monks leading an ascetic existence.
What is divine transcendence in Calvinist beliefs?
It is the belief that God is so far above the world that no human can know His will, leading to a sense of ‘salvation panic’.
What is the difference between other-worldly and this-worldly asceticism?
Calvinism introduces this-worldly asceticism, emphasizing work as a calling to glorify God, unlike the other-worldly focus of previous beliefs.
What psychological function did wealth serve for Calvinists?
Wealth was seen as a sign of God’s favor, helping them cope with their salvation panic.
How did Calvinists accumulate wealth?
They worked long hours, led an ascetic lifestyle, and reinvested their profits, embodying the spirit of modern capitalism.
What does Weber argue about the causes of modern capitalism?
He argues that Calvinist beliefs were one of the causes, but material factors were also necessary.
What does Weber say about Hinduism and Confucianism in relation to capitalism?
He notes that both had higher economic development than Europe but lacked a belief system like Calvinism to spur capitalism.
What criticisms do Marxists have of Weber’s view?
They argue that he overestimates the role of ideas and underestimates economic factors in the development of capitalism.
How does Steve Bruce describe the American civil rights movement?
He describes it as a religiously motivated social change aimed at ending racial segregation.
What sparked the civil rights movement in 1955?
Rosa Parks refused to sit at the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
What role did the black clergy play in the civil rights movement?
They provided support, moral legitimacy, and meeting places for activists.
How did the black clergy appeal to whites during the civil rights movement?
They shamed whites into changing laws by appealing to shared Christian values of equality.
What are some ways religious organizations can support social change?
Mobilizing public opinion and taking the moral high ground.
What is the aim of the New Christian Right?
To take America ‘back to God’ by opposing liberalization and promoting traditional values.
What challenges does the New Christian Right face?
Difficulty cooperating with other religious groups and strong opposition from those supporting freedom of choice.
How does Bruce describe the success of the New Christian Right?
He describes it as a failed movement that has not achieved its aim of imposing Protestant fundamentalist morality.
What is Marxists’ view on the dual character of religion?
They recognize that religion can be both a force for stability and a force for change.
What does Engels argue about religion?
He argues that while religion disguises inequality, it can also inspire social change.
What is Bloch’s view on religion?
He sees it as having a dual character, capable of inhibiting change but also inspiring protest and rebellion.
What is Bloch’s view of religion?
Bloch sees religion as having a dual character, recognizing both its positive and negative influence on social change.
How does Bloch describe the principle of hope?
For Bloch, religion is an expression of ‘the principle of hope’ - our dreams of a better life that contain images of utopia.
What are the potential effects of images of utopia?
Images of utopia can deceive people with promises of rewards in heaven, but they may also help people see what needs to be changed in this world.
What is liberation theology?
Liberation theology is a movement that emerged within the Catholic Church in Latin America at the end of the 1960s, with a strong commitment to the poor and opposition to military dictatorships.
What factors led to the emergence of liberation theology?
Factors include deepening rural poverty, human rights abuses following military take-overs, and the growing commitment among Catholic priests to support the poor.
How does liberation theology differ from traditional Catholicism?
Unlike traditional Catholicism, which supported the status quo, liberation theology set out to change society by helping the poor establish support groups.
What was the Church’s attitude towards liberation theology in the 1980s?
During the 1980s, Pope John Paul II condemned liberation theology, instructing priests to focus on pastoral activities rather than political struggle.
What impact did liberation theology have despite losing influence?
Liberation theology played an important part in resisting state terror and bringing about democracy, and it continues to defend democracy and human rights.
What are millenarian movements?
Millenarian movements are religious movements that express a desire to bring about a better world, often expecting a total transformation by supernatural means.
What does the term ‘millennium’ refer to in Christian theology?
In Christian theology, it refers to the idea that Christ will return to rule for a thousand years before the Day of Judgement.
Why do millenarian movements appeal to the poor?
They promise immediate improvement and often arise in colonial situations where traditional structures have been disrupted.
What is Gramsci’s concept of hegemony?
Gramsci uses hegemony to describe how the ruling class uses ideas like religion to maintain control and gain popular consent.
Can hegemony be challenged according to Gramsci?
Yes, hegemony is never guaranteed, and the working class can develop a counter-hegemony that challenges the ruling class.
What role can clergy play in the context of hegemony?
Some clergy may act as organic intellectuals, helping workers understand their situation and supporting working-class organizations.
