Topic 2 - Religion and Social Change

Question 1

What are 2 ways Religion can be seen as a conservative force?

Answer 1

• One way is in the sense that it defends traditional values and upholds traditional beliefs about how society should be organised
• Another way is as it stabilises society and maintains the status quo

Question 2

How is Religion a conservative force by defending traditional values?

Answer 2

• Most religion have traditional conservative beliefs and many of them oppose changes that allow individuals to have freedom in personal and sexual matters
• For example the Catholic Church forbids divorce, abortion and also opposes gay marriages
• Most religions uphold family values and often favour traditional patriarchal domestic division of labour
• For example the belief that the man should be the head of the family was embedded in traditional marriage ceremonies of the Church of England