Religion and Social change Flashcards
what do feminists, marxists and functionalists all argue about religion
-it is a conservative force-
religion helps to keep traditions going such as functionalists and the nuclear family. religion strives to keep things the same (status quo)
who is weber
weber is a social action theorists
studies interaction and how humans make sense of the world
focus on the social construction of reality
the importance of ideas driving society
what did Weber say about religion as a force for change
- Weber (1905) think religion can bring about change
- weber argues that Calvinism ( a form of Protestantism) brought about by John Calvin during the reformation helped to bring out major change such as capitalism
what is spirit of capitalsim
based on an ordered rational and efficient pursuit for its own sake rather than consumption
Before Calvinism many societies had capitalsim in the sense of greed for wealth but spirit of capitalsim was brought about by Calvinist beliefs and attitudes
what does predestination mean
- key Calvinists belief-
it is predetermined who it to be saved. you cannot do anything to change this. Your fate is predetermined accept your position in society
what does divine transcendence mean
- key Calvinists belief- God is far beyond this mortal world- no one can know God including priests- creating an ‘ unprecedented loneliness’ when combined with predestination it brought about a salvation panic
what does asceticism mean
- key Calvinists belief -
self discipline/ self denial / abstaining / avoiding luxury leading a simple non materialistic life, devoted to God and prayer
what is the idea of a vocation of calling
- key Calvinists belief- worldly asceticism- for Calvinists they believed they were called by God to do constant methodical hard everyday in their jobs not a monastery. They glorified Gods name by their work
what do functionalist, feminists and marxists all agree about religion
-religion has conservative functions-
preserves the status quo- contributes to social solidarity
1. religion and consensus prevents society from disintegrating and promotes social solidarity
2. religion and capitalism- marx see religion as a conservative ideology and prevents revolution
3. feminists see religion as a conservative force
what are religions conservative beliefs
people who hold conservative views about religion oppose changes that would allow people to have more sexual freedom
what is Calvinism
came about as a result of the reformation
the reformation in the 16th century opposed the Roman catholic church and resulted in the creation of the protestant church such as Calvinism
what is a communists society
such as china
no one owns the means of production and no one owns property
no place for religion
what is a capitalist economy/ society
private ownership
means of production
private property
how did Calvinists beliefs affect their lives
- led to an ascetic life
- worked long hours
- practised religious self discipline
- idleness was viewed as a sin
what effect did Calvinists beliefs on their lives also cause
- the wealth and success performed a psychological function and helped them cope with the salvation panic
- reinvested in business
- Calvinism was one of the causes of modern capitalsim
what is the evaluation of webers work
- marxists= kalutsky says that weber overestimates the role of ideas and underestimates economical factors which bring capitalism to being
- webers work is described as a ‘debate with marx ghosts’
what else did weber believe was necessary to bring about social change and capitalism
specific cultural factors - the beliefs and values of capitalism- to bring it into being
what does RH Tawney argue
technological change births capitalsim and not religious ideas
what explanation is given to why capitalsim didnt evolve in scotland
due to lack of investment in capital and skilled labour -supporting weber view that both material and cultural factors need to present for capitalism to emerge
what is Hinduism and Confucianism
In the ancient India- acetiscm was encouraged (renouncing worldly goods) but its focus was other- worldly -directing its followers to focus on the spiritual world- so capitalism didn’t take off there
in china Confucianism, was this worldly- but not ascetic so capitalism didn’t take off there either
what did Steve Bruce say about religion and social protests
he compares to example of the role of religiously inspired protests movements in America that have tried to change society:
- civil rights movement and new Christian right
How did religion bring about social change through the civil rights movement
MLK was a pastor who brought about social change through peaceful protests
he was a pacifists
what ways did Bruce say that religion was an ideological focus to bring about social change
- taking the moral high ground: black pastors pointed out how white clergy/ pastors were hypocritical as they did not love thy neighbour
- channelling dissent: religion provides places to express political dissent- acting as a honest broker: church provides a place for negotiating
- mobilising public opinion- Black church in the south campaigned for support from whole of America
what is the NCR
politically and morally conservative, protestant fundamentalist movement who want conservative social change
what are the NCR aims
seek to take America ‘back to God’ and make abortion , homosexuality, gay marriage and divorce illegal, turning the clock back to a time before the liberalisation of American culture and society
what do the NCR believe in
believe strongly in traditional family and traditional gender roles also want to ban sex ed
have the NCR been successful in campaigning
no ‘moral majority’ was only ever 15% at most
campaigners found it hard to cooperated with other groups even with similar view
has the new Christian right made change
- Bruce ‘no’- it has not achieved its aim to bring America back to God
- few support the idea of theocracy (rule by religious leaders)
what brings about social change
change can occur if religiously motivated protest groups and pressure groups have consistent views with mainstream society about democracy, equality and religious freedom
what do marxists say about religion and change
argue that religion has a dual character and can sometimes force change as well as stability
what does Karl marx say about religion
- does not see religion as entirely negative
- describes religion as “heart of a heartless world2
- thought religion could humanise a world made inhuman by exploitation- even if comfort is illusory
what did Engels say about religion
marxists
- religion does inhibit change by disguising inequality
- can also change status quo and encourage social change
- religion can protests against slavery and misery
what did Bloch say about religion
Marxists
- religion has a dual character
- positive and negative influence on social change
- religion can inspire protests and rebellion
what does utopia mean
promises of a utopia helps people to see what needs to be changed in this world
religious beliefs may create vision of better world
what is LT
liberation theology
movement which emerged within the catholic church in Latin America- 1960s
strong commitment to poor
strong opposition to military dictatorships
what factors led to the growth of LT
- growth of rural poverty
- opposition to military dictatorships
- growth of urban slums
- human rights abuses following military takeovers
How is LT different from the catholic church
- wanted to change society
such as priests establishing support for the poor
how does religion support the view that religion can bring about social change
priests started to help people in community
How does LT criticise traditional marxists views
wants change
How is traditional Catholicism different to LT
LT sets out change society but TCB maintains the status quo
LT priests helped the poor but TCB didn’t want priests to get involved
LT set up literacy programmes but TCB didn’t believe the poor and rich should be equal
what did John paul II say about LT
condemned LT as he said that it was like Marxism. He told priests to concentrate on pastoral activities not political struggles
did LT bring about social change
Yes- Latin America is now a democracy
- Catholicism has become more conservative it still continues to defend democracy and human rights
what are millenarian movements
millennium - thousand years
Christian theology- Christ would return rule for 1000 years judgement day
the group will be saved- not just an individual
how can millenarian movements bring about social change
because religion raises the hopes of a better world in the afterlife, it may create a desire to change things here and now
what did Worley say about millenarian movements
studied these movements in the western pacific (19th/20th centuries)
the native islanders felt deprived when material gods arrived for the islanders colonists
this brought about social change as the natives thought it was for them from God this was an unjust social order = rebellion
how does Gramsci see religion as having a dual character
it can challenge as well as support the ruling class he was also interested in how the ruling class maintain power through ideas rather than force
what is hegemony
Gramsci refers to the way ruling class use ideas such as religion to maintain control or ideological domination
