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Religion in a global context - Coggle Diagram
Religion in a global context
Rise of religious fundamentalism
What is religious fundamentalism?
religion based on unquestioning belief in the literal truth of sacred texts, only one true view of the world
fundamentalism doesnt mean extreme / radical fundamentalism
7 key features of fundamentalism:
1) an authoritative sacred text
2) an 'us and them' mentality
3) aggressive reaction
4) use of modern technology
5) patriarchy
6) prophecy
7) conspiracy theories
these are often the case, some can be missing
Globalisation & modernisation = fundamentalism more prominent around the world
Giddens - fundamentalism & modernity:
late modernist
'fundamentalism' is a relatively new concept
reaction to globalisation undermining traditional social norms e.g. gender
late modern society means individual faced with choice, uncertainty & risk
fundamentalism is the opposite to late modern society; rigid beliefs, certainty, faith based answers etc
this is a reaction to liberal influence and cosmopolitanism
cosmopolitanism is the pursuit of personal meaning and rational evidence, this is a threat to religions based on traditionalism, regulation, closed-views, orders
Castells:
backs up Giddens perspective
2 responses to modernity
1) project identities = forward looking response that embraces progression and change
2) resistant identities = defensive reaction to those that feel threatened, turn to fundamentalism
Criticisms:
cannot fit into 1 identity (Castells)
Beckford:
Giddens, extremism is not just a reaction to globalisation but also to more localised problems e.g. the IRA
Giddens doesnt distinguish between different parts of fundamentalism
Bruce - monotheism & fundamentalism:
fundamentalism is found in Monotheistic religions, very rigid and one overriding truth e.g. Christianity
polytheistic religions are more accepting of change as open to many interpretations e.g. Hinduism
Bruce distinguishes between 2 types of fundamentalism
1) Western fundamentalism = usually develops as a result of changes occurring within the own societies e.g. CNR in USA
2) Third world fundamentalism = tends to develop as a response to 'outsider' cultures forcing change on these third world societies (usually westerners imposing on eastern cultures) e.g. Islamic revolution in Iran
Rise of secular fundamentalism
Davie:
two phases of modernity
1) Enlightenment period (18thC-1960s)
progress through science/reason, attacked/undermined religious certainties, religious fundamentalism
2) post enlightenment (1960s-)
enlightenment project under attack, pessimism/uncertainty/insecurity, attacked/undermined concepts such as liberalism/rationalism, caused secular fundamentalism
Secular fundamentalism:
some supporters of secular ideologies, such as nationalism, are turning to fundamentalism
example of France, banning students from wearing religious symbols in school (2004) & banning wearing of the veil in public (2010)
Ansell - cultural norms:
using liberal language e.g. 'universal equality' & 'social integration'
dominant identity at the cost of excluding cultural minorities
thus, both religious and secular movements can become 'fundamentalist' as a response to the post-modern world & search for certainty
Huntingdon - Clash of Civilisations
Huntingdon - Clash of Civilisations:
such conflicts have intensified since the collapse of communism, come from a 'clash of civilisations'
he focuses on 7 civilisations with a common cultural background / world religion
1) western
2) islamic
3) latin america
4) confuncian
5) japanese
6) hindu
7) slavic-orthodox
globalisation has increased contacts between civilisations, increasing conflicts
religious differences creates an 'us and them' relationship, increased competition for economic & military power
he believes the West is under threat from Islam & should reassert its Christian civilisation
Criticisms:
western ideology, stereotypes of Eastern nations as untrustworthy or inferior
too simplistic with his 7 civilisations, there are divisions within civilisations e.g. Shai / Sunni Muslims
grossly misleading ideology of promoting islam as an enemy
Inglehart & Norris:
division between Western world & Muslim world, but not because of democratic values
real reason due to liberal vs traditional opinions e.g. gender & sexuality
the 'real clash of civilisations'
Use as cultural defence
Cultural defence:
where religious unites a community against an external threat
symbolises the collective identity
examples of how religion can be used in defence of national identity in the face of political domination by an external power
Poland (1945-89), external power of the Russian Soviet Union enforcing communism, Catholic Church seen as a place of national identity, church supported the 'Solidarity Free' movement, a big part of the fall of communism (John Paul II), Soviet Union couldn't be contested by force but by spiritual power
Contributing to economic development
The secularisation debate (against secularisation)
God & globalisation in India:
globalisation = rapid growth in India
it has also left to huge, scientifically educated, middle class (mainly working in IT/pharmaceuticals/biotech)
Hinduism & consumerism:
Meera Nanda
claims this M/C are still very religious
CSDC survey (2007), Indians becoming more religious & mostly urban education M/C
growth of religious tourism e.g. visit temples
it is now 'fashionable' to be religious
Why do urban M/C continue to believe in the supernatural?
not due to poverty, insecurity or modernisation, but due to...
ambivalence (mixed feelings) about their wealth
tension between Hindu belief & materialism
modern Hinduism preaches message that desire is okay, which in turn legitimises their position
Religion & social change (backs up Weber, force for)
Hindu Ultra-nationalism:
Nanda (2003)
, Hinduism legitimises Indian nationalism
India's success in the global market is down to the superiority of 'Hindu values'
worshipping Hindu Gods = worshipping India
Examples of Hinduism in public life:
'Hindu sciences' taught as an academic subject in universities
ministry of defence developing weapons mentioned in ancient Hindu texts
Hinduism evidence:
"our people are not perfect, but our culture is superior to others", a study showed that 93% of Indian's agreed with this statement
Capitalism in East Asia:
some sociologists believe the success of capitalism in East Asia is from religion playing a similar role to Calvinism in the 16/17thC
Confucianism (trad Chinese belief) = hard work, self-discipline, commitment to self improvement
Pentecostalism in Latin America:
Peter Berger
, Pentecostalism in Latin America encourages the development of capitalism today (similar to Calvinism)
Pentecostalists = lifestyle & work ethic similar to that of Calvinists (personal discipline / hard work)
Berger agrees with Weber, an ethic like Protestantism/Calvinism is needed to promote economic development
Criticism:
Berger
, religious ideas are not enough to develop capitalism, natural resources are needed also
Global & local Pentecostalism:
David Lehman
, Christianity has globalised itself in 2 phases
1) imposed on populations through conquest
2) gain in popularity
pentecostalism = a successful global religion due to its diversity & incorporation of local beliefs
the message is similar worldwide, but uses symbols & imagery from local cultures
appears to poor, using global media to spread message
this creates new religious forms e.g. the 'Africanisation' of Christianity