this document covers all key points and definitions for the beliefs in society topic regarding religion. perfect for making essay plans as I have included all perspectives and the positives and negative aspects of each argument they provide.
1- THEORIES OF RELIGION
Substantive - Focus on belief on god exclusive
definition - WEBER: ‘R = belief in superior power which cannot be scientifically explained’
Functional - Social/ psychological func inclusive, no bias against non-western R
definition - DURKHEIM: R= contribution to social integration rather than specific belief in god
- YINGER: func for indiv
Constructionist - Interpretivist pov how ppl define R inclusive no one universal definition
definition 1. impossible to generalise R nature
- ALDRIDGE: scientology
Conservative F/ Maint SQ ‡ change
FUNCTIONALIST
Durkheim - Sacred & profane
- Totemism: Arunta clan primitive R
1. Allows for discipline and cohesion in soc
2. Durkheim found clan worshipped power of soc through the totem
Sacred symbol rep soc’s collective conscience (shared n&v ‡ disintegration)
- R = origin of human thought, reason, science
-
WOSLEY: no sharp division w S&P
- Totemism ‡ prove he discovered essence of all R
- DURKHEIMS POV is for small soc ‡ industrial soc
1. Explains soc integration WITHIN communities ‡ conflict BETWEEN
POMO: DURKHEIMS ideas ‡ applied to contemp soc bc of R diversity fragmented CC so no single shared VC for R to reinforce
Bellah - Civil R Americanism integrates soc in a way Americas churches cannot
1. Sacralises American way of life bind diff ethnic & R bg
- FUNCTIONAL ALTERNATIVES:
1. Argues civil R ‡ need belief in god to func
Nazi Germany & soviet union secular political beliefs to unite soc
FUNC ALTERNATIVES: ignore substantive definition of R
- Americanism ‡ R: = patriotism & nationalism = belief syst/ ideology ‡ R
‘god bless America’ = political ideology ‡ R
Parsons - Psych func:
1. Creates & legitimates soc central values by SACRALISING VC promote VC & soc stability
2. Primary source of meaning ultimate Q e.g. explain suffering as test of faith maint stability
Malinowski - Psych func ‡ soc instability & cope w emotional stress
1. Outcome = important but uncertain
Study Trobriand Islanders contrasting fishing in lagoon vs ocean:
2. Life crisis
Death = main reason for R belief
Used participant observation = unusual for func ++++ valid & detailed bc POSITIVISTS: = UNRELIABLE & ‡ GENERALISE CONCL TO OTHER SOC
over 4 years // FUNC POV IN GENERAL:
- Neglect aspects of R e.g. source of oppression for poor/ F
- Ignores R as source of conflict esp in complex modern soc
- Outdated
serves RC. I / distorts reality
MARXIST
Marx - Ideological weapon legitimate WC suffering as GOD GIVEN compensated at after-life maint FCC
- Alienation:
1. Dehumanising cond R = consolation
2. Opium of masses to dull pain & mask underlying prob of soc
Lenin - Spiritual gin:
1. Distorts reality & Cynically manipulates masses (MYSTICAL FOG) ‡ overthrow RC
- R legitimates RC P: DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS
- Ignored func e.g. psych
- Economic determinism: R ‡ act in interest of the state/ RC
1. Liberation theology: catholic church help WC
- ALTHUSSER: alienation ‡ scientific expl
- ABERCROMBIE: R ‡ func as ideology to control pop e.g. pre-industrial soc, XIAN limited impact on peasantry
dual character – Engles
NEO-MARXIST
Hinduism - Used as powerful conservative F to maint cast syst divides Dalit & Brahmin
- DUAL CHARACTER bc inspired lots of social change in nationalist movement: GANDHI
- NANDA: F for soc change & +++ economic development
Bloch - Principle of hope – R = UTOPIA
1. View of to inspire us to do better
Gramsci - RC maint. Hegemony through culture
- R = used to counter hegemony: R leaders= organic intellectuals
1. MLK: CRM, church as sanctuary, bible shaming YT clergy
2. LT: catholic church in Latin America
- Neo-Marx = outdated, world = ++ secular so role of R = diff
- In MLK & CRM, how central was R?: Multi-faith & ++ secular movements
- EUROCENTRIC VP, IGNORES PROMINENCE OF R WORLDWIDE
conservative F maint SQ + patr & legit. F sub
FEMINIST
, BELIEFS KEY POINTS
Simone de - R exploits & opr F: ‘‡’ & opr afterlife
Beauvoir - F= closer to god if passive
Armstrong - F ‡ part of priesthood marginalised
- Early R = F centre
- ++++ monotheism establish M figures F opr
Nawal el - +++ monotheism +++ patriarchy re- & misinterpret scriptures in favour of M legitimate M P> F
Saadawi
Woodhead -
R ‡ patriarchal & ‡ F opr
-
R form of feminism: ++ freedom & respect of F
1. Hijab public sphere & ‡ immodesty & ‡ MALE GAZE
NAWAL EL SAADAWI: HIJAB = TOOL TO OPPRESS F
Brusco - Pentecostal Columbia
- F > M influence: R +++ freedom & respect in home
Rinaldo - Conservative R
- F can find ways to +++ interest MC urban F bc of educ & £
‡ all feminist agrees R = patriarchal R = ++ F DOMINATED esp in western democracies:
- e.g. Armstrong/ Saadawi ++ monotheism = cause of opr - ++ F @ R services
1. De Beauvoir: bc F = intended audience of ideological
msg that F should hold expressive roles in the home
2- RELIGION & SOCIAL CHANGE
R as a conservative force: func: Marx: fem:
- upholds trad beliefs how R = CF bc maint R ‡ soc change bc legitimates & disguises R= ideology legitimating patr P which maint. F sub
soc should be organised & soc stability & ++ exploitation of WC FCC ‡ revolution in fam and wider soc
stabilises soc + maint. SQ solidarity
Marx & fem:
R = ideology that supports existing soc struc and acts as means of soc control ++ stability for ppl w
++ P to maint SQ & ‡ change
Weber R = FORCE FOR CHANGE
CALVINISM (formed during reformation) major soc change modern spirit of capitalism
- Elective affinity to Calvinist beliefs and attitudes
Predestination: can’t change destiny of soul, ‘elect’ saved
Divine transcendence: GOD P >>>>>>> ppl
1+2 salvation panic: dk if they’re elect & can’t change this
asceticism: abstinence/ self-discipline/ self-denial
vocation/ calling:
other-worldly asceticism = renounce everyday life and join convent
this-worldly asceticism = Calvinism= constant methodical work spirit of capitalism
HINDUISM: other-worldly asceticism, direct ppl concerns to spiritual world ‡ material
CONFUCIANISM: this worldly but ‡ ascetic lifestyle
‘debate - both, unlike Calvinism, lacked the drive to systematically accumulate wealth necessary for modern capitalism
w/
Marx’s
ghost’
Marx: econ + material factors = DF of change BUT Weber: material ‡ enough capitalism, need specific cultural factors too (CALVINIST BELIEFS)
Kautsky (MARXIST): Weber overestimates role of ideas & underestimates econ factors cap into being. Argues cap preceded ‡ followed Calvinism
Tawney: Technological changes ‡ R ideas capitalism. After cap, bourgeoisie adopted Calvinist beliefs to legitimate pursue of econ gain
- Not all countries who are Calvinists developed capitalism as quickly
- Calvinists = 1st capitalists bc = excluded by law from political office so had to turn to business alternatives
Weberian: other R minorities were also excluded but ‡ become successful capitalists
BRUCE - 1950 – 60, end racial segregation by R motivated soc NCR Politically + morally conservative, fundamentalist protestant movement
CRM changes oppos - Bring USA “back to god”
- B < W rights, ‡ inter-racial marriage, B ‡ vote ition - Believe strongly in GR, creationism, ban SEX ED in skl etc.
- 1955: ROSA PARKS protests 1964: outlaw to Televangelism:
segregation liberal - Church owned TV stations raise funds & broadcast aim to make
BRUCE: ising
converts + recruit new ppl
black clergy = backbone of CRM ‡ @ aims bc:
Ameri
MLK church meetings as sanctuary from YT ppl, - Campaigners ‡ cooperate w ppl of diff bg
pray in unity in face of oppression can - Lacks widespread support & = met w +++ opposition from
Shamed YT clergy to changing laws by appealing to soc ‘freedom of choice’ groups
bible - failed movement for change bc of liberal & democratic values of most of
- TF R = seen as ideological resource that prov beliefs the American soc (beliefs incl separation of church and state)
B drew on to create soc change: - Americans = comfortable legalising ‘NCR immoral’ activities like abortion
- Moral high ground/ channelling dissent/ acting as
honest broker/ mobilising public opinion
To achieve success, beliefs and demands of R motivated protest movements much reflect those of wider soc
- New Christian right ‡ do this so have failed
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