Topic 2 religion and Social Change Flashcards
Which theorists are in the topic of religion and social change
Marx Weber Bruce Tawny Engels Mauro and lowly
How do functionalists see religion?
As a conservative force marinating social stability and preventing society from disintegrating
How does Marx see religion?
As conservative ideology that prevents social change by legitimising inequality (mainting capitalism)
How do feminsists see religion?
A conservative force that uses ideology to legitimate patriarchal power and maintain subordination
What does weber say about religion as a force for change?
Religious beliefs of Calvanism helped bring about social change such as emergence of modern capitalism in Northern Europe.
What are the 4 main beliefs of Calvinists?
Predestination: God already predetermined who goes to heaven
Divine transcendence: God is above and be young this world so no human can know his will (leads to salvation panic)
Asceticism: abstinence, self discipline
Idea of vocation or calling: before Calvanism idea of calling to serve God meant renouncing life to join monastery (other worldly) Calvinists knew gods plan for humanity: work to serve him by work
Weber wasn’t arguing Calvanism lead to capitalism only 1 of its causes, why did capitalism fail in Hinduism and Confucianism?
Ancient China and India more advanced than Europe but capitalism didn’t take off. The failure was due to lack of religious beliefs system like that of Calvanism.
They lacked drive to accumulate wealth necessary for modern capitalism.
Evaluate webers argue nets about religion as a force for social change
Weber over estimates the role of ideas and underestimates economic factors
Tawney argues technological changes not the ideas caused birth of capitalism
Capitalism didn’t develop in every country that there were Calvinists
What was the American civil rights movement and what 4 resources did religion provide and what does Bruce say about it?
Bruce looks at struggle of black civil rights in the 50s to end segregation as an example of religious motivated change.
Martin Luther king provided moral support and churches provided meeting place, sanctuary from threat and violence, black clergy shame whites by appealing to same Christian values.
Religion is ideological resource here: Take moral high ground Chanel dissent Acting as honest broker Mobilising public Union
What is the New Christian Right?
Politically and morally conservative, Protestant fundamentalist movement.
Seek to take America back to God with abortion, homosexuality, divorce illegal and turn clock back.
Unsuccessful in achieving aims as ‘moral majority’ was only 15% of the population.
Failed movement
What do Marxists see religion as?
The ideas have relative auto,my and can b partly independent, religion can have dual character and can be a force for change as well as stability
What do Marx and Engles say about religion and social change
Marx sees religion as incapable of humanising a world made my inhuman exploitation even if the offers are illusory comforting
Engles has he idea of dual character arguing religion only inhibits change by disguising inequality it can also challenge and encourage social change. Eg. Preach liberation from slavery but senior clergy support this
What is Liberation theory?
Emerged in Catholic Church in 60s with strong commitment to the poor and proposition to military dictatorships.
Set out to change society eg, help workers and peasants fight passion and priests took lead in developing literacy programmes.
Success of LT led neo-Marxists to question the view that religion was always conservative.
What factors led to liberation theory?
Deepening rural poverty and growth of urban slums
Human rights abused following minsters take over, eg, torture death squads, false imprisonment
The growing commitment among catholic priests
What do Maudro and Lowly say about liberation theory?
See LT as example of religiously inspired social change,bother Marxists disagree depending on how social change is defined
