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Beliefs in society - Religion in a global context - flashcards done -…
Beliefs in society - Religion in a global context - flashcards done
Fundamentalism x
THE GROWTH OF FUNDAMENTALISM REPRESENTS A CULTURE WAR - A CLASH BETWEEN THE SACRED AND THE SECULAR
Characteristics x
literalism of religious texts - they are perfect
because of this they reject religious pluralism
them v us mentality
the modern world is morally corrupt and reject it
activism
modern tecnology
patriarchy
political agenda - removing the morally corrupt nature of modern society
nationalism - appeals to deep stated fear of 'strangers'
evaluation
Aldridge x
no text speaks for itself; it has to be interpreted, fundamentalists are not holding the true meanings of the text, but instead an interpretation.
Origins
first appeared in the 1880s in the USA
at the time. liberal protestants attempted to
adapt their views to the modern world
, while conservative protestant
opposed this
conservative protestants believe that the Bible must be understood literally and wrote a set of pamphlets named
The Fundamentals
fundamentalists appeal to tradition - they seek return to the basics or fundamentals of their faith / t arises when traditional beliefs and values are being threatened in modern society. particularly due to the impact of the globalised economy.
Appeal x
Marketing
have been very successful in making ancient beliefs
relevant in contemporary society
one factor of this success that stands out is the use of technology
Totalism
have been very successful in
integrating faith into all areas of life
, not just periodic worship
organisations such as Southern Baptist Convention
support the political right
and have gained
access to state funds
to promote their religious ideas
Personal transformation
have drawn in members from all social groups because of its
promise of a direct spiritual experience
salvation and communion are at the heart of a fundamentalist's life
grassroots involvement
are
populist and non-elite
, with a "do-it-yourself" ethos
often have a
'flattened hierarchy'
where active involvement is encouraged and personal healing is sought after
Certainty in a world of choice
fundamentalist groups appeal to those who seek a
moral anchor in a world of unlimited choice
modernity creates a moral ambiguity - a profusion of choices and a lack of guidance -
antidote
to this
Modernity x
Davie x
secular fundamentalism
goablisation has caused uncertainty, which has results in reationalistion being undermined as the way of progress
as
secularisation comes under attack
, some argue it's resulted in secular fundamentalism
Ansell x
it's causing a form of
cultural racism
- aiming to preserve cultural identity
Giddens x
fundamentalism is a response to globalisation which
undermines traditional values and creates uncertainty
people who hold
traditional and orthodox beliefs and values are threatened by a modern secularists culture
and by the impact of scientific research on Western thought and culture
this leads to feelings of
void, meaninglessness ad uncertainty
- do not want an uncertain world and
retreat to faith based answers
and away from the risks associated with a globalised world
cosmopolitanism - the opposite of fundamentalism
cosmopolitanism
- refers to a way of thinking that
embraces modernity
, and it open to alternative views and modifies beliefs based on new ideas.
fundamentalists respond to this as there is too much freedom of choice and uncertainty
people are attracted to fundamentalism because they are
intimidated by uncertainty and find sanctuary in 'old certainties'
Cosmopolitan religion and spirituality emphasises
personal choice and self-improvement
, rather than submission to authority
Hervieu-Leger
- would refer to these people as 'pilgrims'
Armstrong x
"Fundamentalists have no time for democracy, pluralism, religious tolerance, peacekeeping, free speech, or separation of church and state"
Evaluation x
Haynes x
heavy focus on Islamic fundamentalism - conflicts in the Middle East.
These are normally fuelled by poor living standards than a reaction to globalisation
overspimplified - cosmopolitanism or fundamentalism - what about individuals that fall somehwere inbetween (hybrids)
Beckford x
cosmopolitanism and fundamentalism is too harshly distinguished - ignores 'hybrid' movements.
'fixated on fundamentalism', and ignores other important developments
Giddens
lumps all types of fundamentalism together, ignoring important differences between them.
Giddens
description of fundamentalism as a defensive reaction to modernity ignores the fact that reinventing tradition is also a modern, 'reflective' activity.
Postmodenrity x
Bauman x
Catells x
the increase uncertainty and awareness of risk lead sot
2 new identities
Resistance identity
people who feel threatened and retreat to fundamentalist communities
project identity
forward looking and engages with social movements (e.g. feminism)
too much choice can cause
uncertainty and highlighted awareness of risk
- in this situation some will embrace the freedom whilst others are attracted to fundamentalism
Bruce x
fundamentalism is confined to
monotheistic religions
believing in a single, almighty God (Judaism, Islam and Christianity)
However, polytheistic religions (Hinduism) are
unlikely to be fundamentalists
Evaluation x
Giddens x
- argues that fundamentalism has been found in Hinduism in India, due to modernity
Different origins
West
fundamentalism is a
response to tends towards diversity and choice
- New Christian Right oppose gender equality, sexual 'permissiveness', abortion and the privatisation of religion (Church and State)
the aim is to integrate the state and the church
Third World
Fundamentalism is a reaction to
changes being thrust upon society by the outside world
, which are triggered by
globalisation
A
rational response to protect traditional Islamic values
from western imperialism and Americanisation of culture - meaning a
reduction in existential security, therefore fundamentalism arises.
Evaluation x
fundamentalist religions
are nothing new
, it is just that it is more
noticeable as a result of globalisation
and in contrast to the largely secular liberal beliefs in Western Europe today
while certain countries have witnessed
"desecularisation"
where fundamentalist movements have replaced more secular norms - there are
many other places which have seen largely fundamentalist religion in place for many years.
what is not considered
fundamentalist Christianity
, would have historically been seen as
quite mainstream Christian views
.
Armstrong x
argues that fundamentalist movements are not throwbacks to medieval religion but
thoroughly contemporary
medieval religions on one hand were
mysterious and often elite
, while most fundamentalist movements are
populist and make use of technology
and the methods of modern social movements to achieve their goals.
If the growth of fundamentalism is a reaction to globalisation, it is
also a reaction to secularisation
(the 2 go hand in hand)
there is an almost
inevitable local, parochial and traditional reaction to globalisation
as local and particular cultures are
eroded and replaced with global and universal ones
alongside political developments, such as the growth of nationalism, the development of religious beliefs is a
predictable response
different responses possible
wanting to retreat into a traditional belief system
wanting to embrace secular western culture with its popular stars and high-tech gadgets
Cultural defence x
Huntington x
people see themselves as belonging to
civilisations
that are usually
linked to a religion.
therefore, religious identities are
increasingly important in the modern world
when these civilisations
come into contact, conflict tends to break
out - conflict between Islamic and Western civilisations
globalisation has meant that
nation states are less important
- religion has filled this void
when this conflict occurs, it is usually harder to resolve, as it has cultural and historical links
as a result, while
religion binds countries within civilisations together it can also cause conflict between these same civilisations
happening more often due to globalisation
Evaluation x
Jackson
Huntington's work is based on a western ideology that stereotypes eastern nations and people as untrustworthy and fanatical
Horrie and Chippindale x
this is a grossly misleading ideology that portrays the whole of Islam as the enemy - encourages an
U v Them mentality
in reality only a tiny minority of the world's 1.5 billion Muslims are remotely interested in the 'Holy War'
Norris and Inglehart x
religion and politics do not cause 'Clash of Civilisation' - it is
attitudes to sexuality and gender liberalism
that cause the real 'Clash'
Kurtz x
Huntington does not consider clashes within civilisations
globalisation has stirred a
revitalisation
of religion - causes
culture wars between religions in the same country
(India and Hindus and Muslims)
we also see
conflict within religions
- modernists and traditionalists
Bloom x
countries have started to
regulate and control religious services, symbols, literature
- aim to protect themselves from the perceived threat of new ideas, values, etc
= less religious freedom
Casanova
ignores
divisions within civilisations
Evaluation - conflict caused by non-religious factors x
it can often be argued that conflicts apparently based on religion are
really about other issues
Example
Northern Ireland and the conflict was more about the UK's control of the North - politics and cultural pride
in the Middle East, the Palestinian v Israeli conflict is about control over land
Armstrong x
conflict between Islam and the West is not primarily caused by religion but by American Foreign policy
the US has frequently intervened in Muslim countries and often supported regimes that have not brought prosperity to ordinary Muslims
Bruce x
claims that religious factors are often intermingled with non-religious factors in causing conflict
Palestinian-Israeli conflict - nationality and ethnicity are intermingled with religious differences
as the world 'Globalises', national identities mean less and less
as such, societies around the world are experiencing a
'crisis of identity'
whereby their cultures, languages, traditions and politics are becoming less significant
Individual National Identities are being replaced by
'Collective International Identities'
Example - Poland and Catholicism
between 1945 and 1989, Poland was under communist rule (forced on them by the Russia's Soviet Union). Catholicism was
suppressed during this time but still acted as a symbol for Polish National Identity
the Catholic church supported the 'Solidarity Free' Movement, which helped bring down the communist rule. Since this, the church has been very influential in Polish politics.
Bruce x
one function of religion in today's world is cultural defence
religion serves to unite a community against an external threat
Religion and development x
Economic x
argued that
religion aids economic development
and that the economy, technological advancements and modernisation go hand in hand
Nanda - Hinduism and India x
globalisation has led to
rapid economic growth in India
, and it has also led to a
rising prosperity and a new M/C developing
of this new M/C
5%
said their religiosity had declines, while
30%
said that it had increased
Tele-Gurus
the surge in popularity for Hinduism, is due to the role of the Tele-Gurus, which has
changed the way that Hindu's value prosperity and wealth.
encouraged young people to pursue the opportunities available to them without guilt from traditional Hinduism, as contemporary Gurus
view wealth in a progressive way and this suggests that it is a sign of divine favour
Ultra-nationalism
Hindus believe that it is their Hindus values that have led to the economic growth and prosperity - creates a sense of
ultra-nationalism
by generating a
worship of the Indian culture
rather than a focus on god.
link to
BELLAH - civil religions
Redding - the spirit of Chinese Capitalism x
East Asia acts as a useful example of how
religion and the growing Global Economy go hand in hand
the
'Post-Confucianism' seen in China
, which encourages hard work, self-disciple, commitment to education and self-improvement, is similar to
Weber's 'Protestant Ethic'
this
Protestant Ethic
is what ultimately led to the promotion of
economic development and capitalism
Berger x
uses Latin America to show how religion is spurring on Global Economic Development
Pentecostalism is spreading through Latin America stressing hard
work, disciple, commitment, etc
links to Weber's 'Protestant Ethic'
however, it also undermines
Weber's
point that religious ideas alone are not enough to promote economic development.
Lehmenn x
Pentecostalism spreads a similar message on a global scale that
taps into local concerns and cultures
in order to appeal to new followers, thus creating a
local identity
which boosts popularity and impact
how is religion related to globalisation? x
the world is becoming
increasingly interconnected and the barriers are disappearing
- result of instantaneous communication systems, deregulation of trade, the creation of global markets, global media and culture
as societies and religions become increasingly closer to one another , there is
potential for religious conflict, diversity and change
when one society or state dominates another, people may use
religion to explain, justify or resist this domination
cultural and social changes brought by globalisation may
threaten cherished values and lead some to turn to the certainties
promised by fundamentalist religions
religious ideas lead some people to act in new ways that
encourage economic development in less developed societies
Created deterritorialisation
religions are no longer confined to just one country/area
as a result, we find believers of all religions everywhere - no part of the world is exclusively made up of one religion
people are able to access information about religions online, meaning that they have access to a huge religious market
can undermine traditional religious monopolies