religion as a conservative force

Question 1

meaning of religion as a conservative force

Answer 1

religion prevents social change and maintains the status quo

Question 2

theories that support conservative force argument

Answer 2

• functionalists
• Marxists
• feminists

Question 3

Durkheim sacred and profane - conservative (functionalism)

Answer 3

the reaction of sacred objects to embody social solidarity helps hold society together and therefore means people are less likely to want change in society

Question 4

Malinowski life crises - conservative (functionalism)

Answer 4

religion neutralises threats of life crises and unpredictable situations, so people don’t want to change society because they feel they belong

Question 5

Parsons same norms and values - conservative (functionalism)

Answer 5

religion gives everyone the same norms and values (eg ten commandments) so people are less likely to want to change society, also religion answers the unanswerable questions that threaten social solidarity (eg ‘why do bad people prosper?’)

Question 6

criticisms of functionalist view of religion as a conservative force

Answer 6

• evidence of religion causing conflict instead of social solidarity
• examples of religion causing change in society

Question 7

Marxist view of religion as a conservative force

Answer 7

religion compensates the proletariat for their exploitation by the bourgeoisie and justifies the social order, meaning that the proletariat are less likely to rise up against their oppressors and transform capitalist society into a communist one

Question 8

evidence of Marxist view of religion as a conservative forces

Answer 8

• divine right of royalty
• Indian caste system

Question 9

criticisms of Marxist view of religion as a conservative force

Answer 9

• religion exists in communist societies so its key function may not be to hide inequalities

Question 10

feminist view of religion as a conservative force

Answer 10

religion compensates women for their status in patriarchal society, with men using religion as a tool of oppression over women, so restricting societies’ likelihood of challenging patriarchy and therefore staying the same

Question 11

evidence of feminist view of religion as a conservative force

Answer 11

• in Christianity all major figures are male
• in Islam women’s dress codes may be seen as oppressive