Religion As A Conservative Force

Question 0

How is religion conservative?

Answer 0

It functions to conserve or preserve things as they are. It stabilises society and maintains the status quo

Question 1

Religion is seen as conservative in sense that it is ‘traditional’. What does this mean?

Answer 1

It upholds and defends traditional beliefs about how society should be organised

Question 2

Give an example from the Catholic Church that demonstrates the conservative nature of religion

Answer 2

The Catholic Church forbids divorce, abortion and artificial contraception

Question 3

Give an example from the Church of England that demonstrates religions conservative nature

Answer 3

The belief that the man should be head of the family is embedded in the traditional marriage ceremony of the Church of England. The bride vows to ‘love, honour and obey’ whereas the groom is only required to ‘love and honour’

Question 4

How do functionalists see religion as a conservative force?

Answer 4

They see it as a conservative force because it functions to maintain social stability and prevent society from disintegrating by promoting social solidarity and avoids individuals pursuing their own selfish interests at the expense of others

Question 5

How do Marxists see religion as a conservative force?

Answer 5

They see religion as a conservative ideology that prevents social change by legitimating and disguising exploitation and inequality which maintains the stability of capitalist society

Question 6

How do Feminists see religion as a conservative force?

Answer 6

They argue that it acts as an ideology that legitimates patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination in the family and wider society