Religion as a force for change Flashcards
How does Bruce argue religion caused social change d2 the civil rights movement?
CRM fought against racism in the states in the 60s, protest marches, boycotts (began after 1955 Rosa Parks)
Black clergy= backbone of the movement, shamed whites into changing laws and appealed to Christian values of equality
churches were meeting places and sanctuary from violence, prayers= source of unity in face of oppression- link to Malinowski
How are the New Christian right an example of religion as a force for social change? BUT how were they uncessful?
NCR- Conservative viewpoint, 60s, taking USA ‘back to god’, traditional family and gender roles, against abortion and homosexuality
-> Pressure groups, media, televangelism
BUT Bruce- difficult for campaigners to cooperate with other religious groups-> Lacks widespread support- views don’t align with soci- NCR= literal belief of the bible (impossible in modern society)
4 ways religious organisations are well equipped for protest/supporting change:
- taking the moral high ground- black clergy spoke about hypocrisy of white clergy- preached ‘love thy neighbour YET supported segregation
- Channelling dissent- religion provided channels to express political dissent e.g. MLK- rallying point for movment
- Acting as an honest broker- churches negotiated change, respect both sides
- Mobilising public opinion- southern churches campaigned for support across the US
According to Bruce, how does religion and civil rights movement act as an ideological resource?
supports people campaigning those in CRM (drew on teachings from the bible in their argument- love thy neighbour-> Christians should’nt be racist???’
How is liberation theology an example of religion as a force for change?
1960s Latin America- religion can be a revolutionary force for the poor and oppressed-> churches gave them a voice- support groups etc- when banned from protesting- support cvm
Cassanova- has been impactful in resisting terror, introducing democracy
How do Marxists recognise that religious ideas have relative autonomy and THUS a dual character? How does Engels support this?
People are partly independent of capitalism-> religion can humanise world despite opium of the people
R= force for change and stability (dual character)
Engels- religion can encourage social change e.g. liberation from slavery
According to Bloch, how can religion bring about social change? How does he link this to the idea of ‘utopia’?
R both inhibits change by maintaining inequality and inspires protest= principle of hope
Utopia- deceives people with promise of heaven, helps people see what needs changing in the world-> social change
According to Worsley, how can Millenarian movements appeal to the poor and bring about social change?
How does Engels support this?
MM= groups that offer life free from pain, sin, corruption-> promise immediate improvement- often occur in colonialism
- religious ideas unite native populations in mass movements-> overthrow colonial rule
= Engels- proletarian self-consciousness
According to Gramsci, how can counter-hegemony bring about social change? How does Billing’s coal miners study support this?
c-h= a wc vision of how society should be organised e.g. religion challenging rc to see a fairer future- organic intellectuals
Billings- coal miners were able to challenge rc hegemony though organic intellectuals- used churches to hold meetings , prayed, group sessions…
How are Branch Davidans an example of religion as a force for social change?
BD= religious sect who believed in the imminent return of Christ, believed in separating themselves from world-> were celibate
