YR2 BELIEFS: religion in a global context Flashcards
what is globalisation?
the process of the world becoming increasingly interconnected.
what 4 areas of society does globalisation hugely impact?
-political
-economic
-cultural
-technological
What are the 5 main sections / theories we look at for religion in a global context?
- religion and economic development
- religious fundamentalism
- secular fundamentalism
- the clash of civilisations
- cultural defence
Describe India’s middle class economic situation currently
-one of the fastest growing middle class populations in the world
- 1996 middle class : 25 million
Today middle class : 276 million
- a huge, prosperous, educated urban middle class. Largely working in IT, pharmaceuticals + biotechnology
What sociologist studies India’s economic growth in relation to religion and globalisation? What does she argue?
NANDA (2008)
its the Indians Hindu beliefs which have aided this economic growth. The new Indian Middle Class are continuing to be highly religious
A survey showed that over the last 5 years ____% Indian middle class had become more religious
30%
Why is Hinduism (India) now different to when Weber originally studied it?
-renunciation of materialism vs new prosperity of the middle class
-modern holy men preach the message that desire is not bad
-BUSINESS - FRIENDLY VERSION of Hinduism
-can be ‘spiritually balanced’ by spending some wealth on religious rituals
What is meant by the term Hindu-ultra nationalism?
-belief that Indian culture + Hindu values = superior
-being a good Indian citizen = being a good Hindu
- Non - Hindu Indians are looked down on
What is meant by the term Hindu-ultra nationalism?
-belief that Indian culture + Hindu values = superior
-being a good Indian citizen = being a good Hindu
- Non - Hindu Indians are looked down on
define religious fundamentalism
- the adherence to a religion’s most traditional values + beliefs and a return to the basics of the faith
what is religious fundamentalism often characterised by?
a degree of militancy, as well as literal interpretations + strict reliance on a sacred text
list as many recent examples of religious fundamentalism in the news as you can think of
- the New Christian Right
- Gaza conflict
- Taliban , ISIS
- LRA
- IRA
- Manchester Arena attack 2017
- 9/11, 7/7 London Bombings
when does religious fundamentalism arise?
when traditional beliefs and values are being threatened or challenged by modern society by the impact of a increasingly globalised world
name at least 4 key features of fundamentalist groups
- an authoritative sacred text
- an ‘us and them’ mentality
- aggressive reactions
- use of modern technology
- patriarchy
- conspiracy theories
- prophecy
how does Giddens link fundamentalism to globalisation?
fundamentalism is a product of and reaction to globalisation, which undermines traditional social norms concerning the nuclear family, gender and sexuality. modern society is full of uncertainty + choice
what is cosmopolitanism
a way of thinking that embraces modernity. its tolerant of the views of others + open to new ideas. ones lifestyle is seen as a personal choice rather than something prescribed by an external authority. (opposite to fundamentalism)
how does BAUMAN link fundamentalism to postmodernity?
fund = a response to living in postmodernity. it brings about freedom of choice, uncertainty + a heightened awareness of risk which undermines old certainties about how to live traditionally. some embrace the new freedom, others are attracted to fundamentalism by its claims of absolute truths and certainty
what are the 2 responses to postmodernity that CASTELLS identifies?
Resistance identity: a defensive reaction of those who feel threatened + retreat into fundamentalist communities.
Project identity: the response of those who are forward-looking + engage with social movements such as feminism (cosmopolitanism)