Religion and social change

Question 1

Weber - Calvinism

Answer 1

God has decided what souls will be saved, if you become rich this is a sign that you will make it into heaven. As it was worldly asceticism so they invested their money back into their businesses making them richer and ending their salvation panic.
Ev- calvinist in Scotland but but was slow to develop capitalism.

Question 2

Weber- Hinduism and Confucianism

Answer 2

Hinduism- was ascetic (simple lives) nut was other worldly, focusing not on the material world but the spiritual world.
Confucianism- this worldly religion, but was not ascetic.

Question 3

Bruce- American civil rights movement

Answer 3

Black clergy shamed whites into changing the laws by appealing to their Christian values. Religious organisations are good for change because: 1. They can take the moral high ground 2. Provide channels to express political dissent. 3. Act as honest brokers, respected by both sides usually so can negotiate change. 4. Mobilising public opinion, get support from the whole country.

Question 4

Bloch- principle of hope

Answer 4

Religion gives us the hope of a better world, it can help us see what needs to be changed and with effective political leadership can create change.

Question 5

Liberation theology-

Answer 5

Catholic church In Latin America, they stood up and helped the poor and oppressed while dictatorships used murder squads and military action to control the poor. Once Pope John Paul ii got power he forced liberation theology to stop.
Maduro- religion clearly can be a revolutionary force that brings about change.

Question 6

Lehmann- Liberation vs Pentecostalism

Answer 6

Liberation- community consciousness raising and campaigning for social change led by revolutionary priests.
Pentecostalism- individual to pull themselves out of poverty through their own efforts, supported by the congregation and led by the church pastors.

Question 7

Worsley- Millenarian movements

Answer 7

These moments expect immediate change, second coming of christ and heaven on earth. This attracts poor as it offers immediate change.
Melanesia cargo cults- Worsley

Question 8

Gramsci- religion and hegemony

Answer 8

Hegemony- the way the ruling class use ideas to keep control and press us. Religion is used to control our ideas and to stop us rebelling against the establishment.