Reliogion And Social Change Flashcards
what is a conservative force
functions to conserve or preserve things as they are. it stabilises society. it stabilises society and maintains status quo.
status quo
keeping things the same
why do feminists see religion as a conservative force
is is an ideology that legitimates patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination in the family and wider society
why do Marxists see religion as a conservative force
prevents social change, by legitimating and distinguishing inequality. it creates false consciousness in the WC and prevents revolution
max weber (1905)
thinks religion can bring about social change. weber argues that Calvinism (a form of protestants) brought about by john Calvin during the reformation helped to bring about major social change including bringing about modern capitalism
reformation
brought about change between 16th -17th century
Calvinism
came about as a result of the reformation. reformation opposed the roman catholic church and resulted in the creation of protestants churches
spirit of capitalism
based on an ordered rational and efficient pursuit of profit for its won sake rather than for consumption
Calvinist beliefs
predestination, divine transcendence, ascetism and the idea of a vocation or calling
predestination
it is predetermined who is to be saved. you can do anything to change this. your fate is predetermined accept your position in society
divine transcendence
God is far beyond their mortal world- no one can know God including priest-creating an unprecedented loneliness” when combined with predestination it brought about a salvation panic
ascetism
self-discipline/self-denial/avoiding leading a simple non materialistic life, devoted to God and prayer
the idea of a vocation or calling
worldly asceticism-Calvinists they believed they were called by God to do constant methodical hard work everyday in their jobs not monastery.
how did Calvinists beliefs affect their lives?
Calvinists led an ascetic lifestyle
ascetic lifestyle
they do not want luxury- it was not valued to want and have luxurious items. worked long hours practised religious idleness was viewed as a sin worked hard at whatever they did.
what effect did Calvinist beliefs have on their life
the wealth and success performed a psychological functions helped them cope with the salvation panic.
Hinduism
an ascetic religion, like Calvinism, favouring renunciation of material word. directed followers away from the material world and towards the spiritual world
what did weber believe was necessary to bring about social change and capitalism
a classless society
how have Marxists criticised weber’s theory
Kautsky argues weber overestimates the rate of ideas and underestimates the role of ideas and underestimates economic factors in bringing in capitalism into being. capitalism proceeded rather than followed Calvinism.
what did Tawney argue
argues that technological change, not religious ideas, caused the birth of capitalism.
Bruce
is interested in the relationship between religion and social change. he compares two examples of the role of religiously inspired protest movement in America that have tried to change society.
the civil rights movement and the new Christian right
how are religious organisations equipped to support protests to bring about change.
taking the moral high ground, channelling dissent, acting as an honest broker and mobilising public opinion.