Religion in a global context

Question 1

What are the characteristics of fundamentalism?

Answer 1

• authoritative sacred text
• us and them mentality
• aggressive reaction
• use of modern tech
• patriarchy
• prophecy
• conspiracy theories

Question 2

How does fundamentalism occur according to Davie & Giddens?

Answer 2

• Davie> occurs when those who hold traditional orthodox beliefs & values are threatened by modernity & feel the need to defend themselves against it
• Giddens > product and reaction of globalisation and that late modernity undermines traditional social norms concerning the nuclear family, gender & sexuality

Question 3

According to Giddens what happens in a late modern society that makes fundamentalism attractive?

Answer 3

• individuals are constantly reflecting on their choices & constructing what he calls the narrative of the self > trying to make sense of an increasingly diverse & fragmented society due to risk involved in all their choices
• RF becomes attractive as they reject the choices associated with late modernity & globalisation & seek the certainties of RF

Question 4

Evaluation of Davie & Giddens view on fundamentalism & late modernity

Answer 4

• could be argued that RF are not rejecting the task of creating an identity & choice, but the narrative of the self they choose to adopt is reinventing religion so that it is fundamentalists (reflective activity)
• Giddens sees all type of fundamentalism as having the same cause > Haynes argues that Islamic fundamentalism arises as a result of poverty & exploitation of local ruling elites (change within society)

Question 5

How does fundamentalism contrast with cosmopolitanism?

Answer 5

• cosmopolitanism > is a way of thinking that embraces modernity & keeps up with todays globalising world
• open reflecting & modifying their beliefs in the light of new information (reflexive thinking)
• emphasises pursuit of personal meaning similar to the New age

Question 6

According to Bauman, how does fundamentalism arise?

Answer 6

• a result of an increasingly superficial postmodern society
• argues PM society is characterized by individualism & consumerism in which people can conduct their own ‘pick n mix’ identities > people become overwhelmed by these choices & uncertainties resulting in anxiety & fear
• Calls them failed consumers as they struggle to engage with the features of PM & suffer from the agony of choice as social structures no longer guide or shape their experiences

Question 7

How does Castells support Baumans view?

Answer 7

• argues that there are two types of identity in postmodern society
• Project identity> those who are forward looking & engage with social movements e.g. feminism
• resistance identity> defensive reaction o feeling threatened & thus retreat to fundamentalism

Question 8

Evaluation of Bauman & Castell

Answer 8

• Bauman exaggerates the extent to which individuals have freedom e.g. class, gender & ethnicity still shape peoples lives & people do not need fundamentalism to guide them
• places emphasis on uncertainties but does not explain why despite this few people participate in fundamentalism

Question 9

What does Bruce argue about fundamentalism & monotheism?

Answer 9

• Rf only occurs in monotheistic religions
• sees RF as being confined to M religions such as Judaism, Christianity & Islam due to their beliefs in an almighty God & a single holy book > guides their lives & holds people accountable with its specific rules
• causes conflict
• While, in polytheistic religions e.g. Hinduism this does not occur due to their beliefs in several gods & many interpretation of texts

Question 10

Evaluation of Bruce’s view on fundamentalism

Answer 10

• fundamentalism also appears in polytheistic religions e.g. Hindu RSS group