Social change

Question 1

How can religion be seen as a conservative force (2 reasons)

Answer 1

1. Religion is seen as traditional by possessing traditional beliefs of how society should be run that cannot be changed
2. Conserves and preserves society as the way things are, maintaining the status quo

Question 2

Examples of how religion holds conservative beliefs

Answer 2

Catholic church forbids abortions, same-sex marriage and contraception.
Favour patriarchal roles in family, role of bride is to “love, honour and obey” but husband role is only “love and honour

Question 3

Functionalist view of religion as conservative force

Answer 3

Functionalist thinkers Malinowski and Parsons both argued that religion prevents social change by helping individuals and society cope with disruptive events that might threaten the existing social order. Most obviously, religion provides a series of ceremonies which help individuals and societies cope with the death of individual members.

Question 4

Marxist view of religion as conservative force

Answer 4

Marx believed that religion helped to preserve the existing class structure. According to Marx religious beliefs serve to justify the existing, unequal social order and prevent social change by making a virtue out of poverty and suffering. Religion also teaches people that it is pointless striving for a revolution to bring about social change in this life. Rather, it is better to focus on ‘being a good Christian’ (for example) and then you will receive your just rewards in heaven.

Question 5

Neo-Marxist view of religion as conservative force

Answer 5

Neo-Marxist Otto Maduro argued that historically the Catholic Church in Latin America tended to prevent social change. It did so by supporting existing economic and political elites, thus justifying the unequal social order. However, he also recognised that religion had the potential to be a force for social change

Question 6

Liberation Theology

Answer 6

Neo-Marxist Otto Maduro pointed to the example of Liberation Theology in Latin America to demonstrate that religion can act as a force for social change. He further suggested that this is especially the case where the marginalized have no other outlet for their grievances than religious institutions

Question 7

contempory example

Answer 7

1)
Martin Luther King and the broader Baptist Church in the Southern United States played a major role in the Civil Rights movement in 1960s America. This movement effectively helped to end racial segregation in America and secure more equal political rights for non-whites.

2)
The Arab Spring which swept across the Middle East and North Africa between 2010-2014 offers a more contemporary example of the role of religion in social change. Islamic groups were very active in using social media to highlight the political injustices in countries such as Tunisia and Egypt.

Question 8

Criticisms of Weber theory

AO2

Answer 8

capitalism led to slavery e.g Britain colonising other countries so capitalism flourishes in Britain