YR2 BELIEFS: religion & social change

Question 1

what is meant by ‘religion as a conservative force’ ?

Answer 1

religion stops any form of social change and keeps society the same over time. it upholds traditional beliefs about how society should be organised and it functions to conserve society

Question 2

give an example of a general conservative religious belief

Answer 2

-oppose change that would allow more freedom
-upholds ‘ family values ‘
-favours traditional patriarchal division of labour

Question 3

What 3 sociologists / perspectives see religion as a force for CHANGE?

Answer 3

• Weber
• Bruce
• Neo-Marxists

Question 4

What is Weber’s point about religion as a force for change?

Answer 4

Calvinism brought about social change. It introduced capitalism in 16th and 17th century Northern Europe.

Question 5

What are the 2 key principles of Calvinism? explain them

Answer 5

1) Predestination - our lives are already planned out by God. ‘the elect’ have already been randomly chosen to go to heaven.
2) Ascetic Ideal / Life - a life strict full of self-discipline, where you must avoid all forms of indulgence

Question 6

What point was Weber trying to prove when he studied 2 more religions in relation to capitalism?

Answer 6

He went on to argue that some countries lacked the right religious belief to support the growth of capitalism

Question 7

Which 2 religions did Weber study that failed to support the growth of capitalism?

Answer 7

1) CONFUCIANISM - China
2) HINDUISM - Ancient India

Question 8

summarise how Calvinism boosts capitalism.

Answer 8

• Due to Calvin belief, people are unsure if they are part of the ‘chosen few’
• This creates anxiety –> ‘salvation panic’
• People lead a disciplined life in hope of success, as success is a sign from God that you are part of the chosen few.
• Working hard = success = profit
• Profit is re-invested back into business. People are content as long as they are successful
• Businesses grow - capitalism is successful

Question 9

summarise how Confucianism prevents capitalist growth.

Answer 9

• ‘this - worldly’ religion, but not ascetic.
• too focused on materialism. would spend their money on indulgences rather than re-invest it back into business. ( preventing GROWTH of capitalism)
  -lacks the drive to systematically accumulate wealth(necessary for modern capitalism)

Question 10

summarise how Hinduism in Ancient India prevents capitalist growth.

Answer 10

-favoured rejection of the material world
- however, it directed its followers concerns towards the spiritual world
- ‘other - worldly’ religion. not focused on this world.
- ascetic morally but not economically
-lacks the drive to systematically accumulate wealth(necessary for modern capitalism)

Question 11

Give 2 criticisms of Weber’s claim that Calvinism created capitalism.

Answer 11

• capitalism did not develop everywhere that had strong Calvin belief
• capitalism came BEFORE Calvinism in some areas
• other factors, such as technological growth are more important than religious belief
• Calvinists were only so successful in business because they were excluded by law from other occupations

Question 12

Bruce has 2 studies of religiously inspired protest movements. Who did he study?

Answer 12

• The American Civil Rights Movement
• The New Christian Right

Question 13

summarise MLK / the American Civil Rights Movement.

Answer 13

-MLK led the movement from the mid 1950s. He was a Baptist Minister. His dad and grandad were Baptist preachers. Very Christian upbringing.
-the movement fought for equality amongst black and white people in forms of laws, treatment and voting rights.
-used non-violent tactics like speeches, marches, bus boycotts
-successful - Voting Rights Act 1965

Question 14

What 4 main reasons did Bruce give for the success of the American Civil Rights movement bringing about social change?

Answer 14

1) they took the moral high ground. (pointed out hypocrisy of white)
2) they channelled dissent. (gave an outlet for people to express anger and uncommon views)
3) they acted as an honest broker. (able to negotiate between both sides)
4) they mobilised public opinion. (black Churches of the south took the views nationwide. across the whole of America)

Question 15

What does Bruce say the American Civil Rights Movement is an example of?

Answer 15

religion becoming involved in a secular struggle and helping to bring about change in society.

Question 16

summarise the New Christian Right.

Answer 16

• Christian political faction characterised by socially conservative / traditional values.
• protest for Christian values to be in schools and the state.
• use methods like speeches, school meetings, demonstrating, running in elections etc
  -semi successful . Roe vs Wade overturned. Big American following.

Question 17

What reason did Bruce give for the better success of the American Civil Rights Movement compared to the New Christian Right?

Answer 17

religiously inspired protest movements must connect with mainstream beliefs / values to bring about social change, like MLK.
The New Christian Right lacks widespread support + cannot cooperate with other organisations.

Question 18

What key term do Neo-Marxists attach to religion in terms of bringing about social change?

Answer 18

Religion has a DUAL CHARACTER.

Question 19

What do neo - Marxists mean by the dual character of religion?

Answer 19

In some cases, religion challenges the status quo and encourages social changes. Other times, religion acts as a conservative force by disguising inequality.

Question 20

What did Engels and Bloch say about the dual character of religion?

Answer 20

Engels –> first to say this. Religion can be used to preach liberation from things such as slavery. Lower ranks from the Church hierarchy could support + inspire protest.
Bloch –> religion is an expression of the ‘principle of hope’.

Question 21

NAME the 3 case studies that prove the dual character of religion.

Answer 21

• LIBERATION THEOLOGY
• MILLENARIAN MOVEMENTS
• RELIGION & HEGEMONY ( + Billings )

Question 22

summarise Liberation Theology.

Answer 22

• Catholic movement prominent in 1960s / 70s
• Emphasises the liberation of the oppressed.
• Sought to apply religious faith by aiding the poor & oppressed through involvement in POLITICAL + CIVIC affairs.
• criticises socioeconomic structures that cause social inequalities
  -provide welfare to the poor

Question 23

explain how Liberation Theology is an example of religion’s dual character.

Answer 23

The Catholic Church / Pope opposed Liberation Theology because of their insistence that the ministry should include involvement in the political struggle of the poor against WEALTHY ELITES

Question 24

summarise millenarian movements.

Answer 24

• belief that we can bring the kingdom of God onto Earth now. Hope for a better life, and it will be brought to Earth by Jesus.
• the appeal of millenarian movements is largely to the poor because they promise immediate improvement
• they often arise in colonial situations. European colonialism led to economic exploitation and cultural and religious domination, for example through the Christian missionaries and their schools.

Question 25

what is hegemony? and counter - hegemony?

Answer 25

hegemony - the ruling class use ideas like religion to maintain control. ideological domination / leadership of society
counter hegemony - working class ideology about how society should be organised.

Question 26

what / who are ‘ organic intellectuals ‘ ?

Answer 26

key people ( in the Church ) who educate the working class about their marginalised position in society. They help them fight back.

Question 27

summarise religion and hegemony case study (before Billings)

Answer 27

when hegemony is established, the ruling class can rely on popular consent to rule.
however hegemony is never guaranteed. its always possible for the working class to develop a counter hegemony, especially with help from organic intellectuals.

Question 28

How did Billings apply Gramsci’s ideas of hegemony / counter hegemony?

Answer 28

He compared 2 groups of Kentucky workers in the 1920s/30s ; coalminers + textile workers. both: poor working conditions, low pay, working class, protestant. However, the miners were more militant and successful in fighting for better working conditions.

Question 29

What 3 ways did Billings identify in which the coalminers were more successful in creating a counter hegemony?

Answer 29

-leadership : led by organic intellectuals - lay preachers who were also trade union activists. connected the miners to the union cause
-organisation : used independent Churches to hold meetings
-support : Churches kept the miners’ morale high through prayer, singing etc

Question 30

what does Billings therefore conclude from his study into religion and hegemony?

Answer 30

religion can play a prominent oppositional role. His study shows that the same religion can be called upon to justify the statues quo.