Topic 5: Religion in a global context Flashcards
Redding
Post-Confucian values such as hard work, self discipline and self improvement have played the same role as the Protestant ethic in East Asian tiger economies.
Berger
Pentecostalism in Latin America acts as a functional equivalent to the Protestant ethic. Asceticism and worth ethic gives a strong affinity with modern capitalism. Something like this is needed to bring a society out of poverty- however natural resources are also necessary as North Brazil remains backward while the south develops rapidly.
Lehmann
There are two phases in the expansion of Christianity: In the first Christianity was imposed by colonial conquest, often forcibly suppressing local religions. In the second it has gained a popular following from below because of its ability to plug into local beliefs. For example, Pentecostalists condemn spirit possession cults as the work of the d Gil but will conduct exorcisms showing validation of the beliefs. Pentecostalism creates new local religious forms by appealing to the poor and using global communications.
Giddens
Fundamentalists- wish to return to fundamentals of their faith. Intolerant to other beliefs. It’s growth is a reaction to globalisation which cuses uncertainty in its undermining of traditional social norms.
Cosmopolitanism- embraces modernity- to,era t if others and open to new ideas
Bauman
Fundamentalism is a response to postmodernity. In a society where individuals are phased with choice, uncertainty and risk it gives absolute truth and certainty.
Castells
Two responses to postmodernity-
Resistant identity: defensive reaction- feel threatened and retreat into fundamentalist communities
Project identity: forward looking and engaging in social movements such as feminism and environmentalism.
Beckford
Giddens, Bauman and Castells distinguish too sharply between cos and fund, ignoring hybrid moments and are fixed on fund ignoring other import at developments. Giddens links all funds together ignoring differences and ignores the fact that revolt going tradition is also a modern reflexive activity.
Bruce
Main cause of fund is perception of traditionalist that glob is threatening their beliefs and lifestyle. However fund is confined to monotheistic religions as they are based on a notion of God’s will reviled through a single authoritative sacred text.
Two fundamentalisms: in the west it is a reaction to a change in society towards diversity and choice. In the Third World it is a reaction to changes thrust upon society from outside.
Cultural defence: Catholicism in Poland under communism, westernisation and capitalism in Iran.
Huntington
Clash of civilisations- there are 7 civilisations each closely identified with one of the world’s great religions. This creates cohesion within civilisations but can create conflict between them particularly in a globalised world as political differences have become less important with the fall of communism, nation states have become less important as a source of identity and contact between cultures is one easier and more frequent. Religious differences are created hostile us and the, relationships.
Inglehart and Norris
The real clash of civilisations is not religion but sexuality i.e. divorce, abortion, gender equality and gay rights. Western attitudes have become more liberal while Muslim ones remain traditional. Unlike on democracy, there is no global agreement on self-expression values.
Nanda
Globalisation has created a rich urban middle class in India, 30% of who, say they have become more religious in the last 5 years. This is a result of their ambivalence to their newfound wealth as Hinduism teaches renunciation of materialism. This problem is solved by modern holy men and tele-gurus who preach the message that desire is not bad. Hinduism has become a civil religion chasing Hindu ultra-nationalism.
