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RELIGION AS A CONSERVATIVE FORCE - Coggle Diagram
RELIGION AS A CONSERVATIVE FORCE
conservative force
means one which maintains or seeks to restore traditional values, beliefs and customs and maintain the status quo
ideological state apparatus
- a social structure or system which passes on social norms and values
agent of socialisation
- the people in society which teach the norms and values to the next generation, like parents, teachers and religious leaders
theodicy
- an explanation for the contradiction in the existence of God being benevolent and the existence of evil and suffering in the world
EVIDENCE IT IS A CONSERVATIVE FORCE
functionalist perspective
DURKHEIM
- religion is an important institution in maintaining social cohesion and stability
it takes the role of agent of socialisation as well as a form of informal social control which helps to maintain the status quo
it does this by providing a cultural basis for the norms and values and legitimises them
MALINOWKSI
- religion provides explanations for the big questions in life, it fulfils a need for emotional security and relieves social stress which can lead to bitterness, disillusionment and a breakdown in social solidarity
interpretivist perspective - universe of meaning
BERGER
- religion provides a universe of meaning
this is a set of beliefs and meanings that helps people to make sense of the world and enables them to give life meaning, focus and order
the universe of meaning provided by religion gives individuals a sense of meaning in a chaotic world
he suggests that religion provides a sacred canopy stretching over society, providing a shield from the uncertainties of life which helps them to make sense of it
it is the existence of the idea of a sacred canopy and theodicy that can be evidence of religion maintaining social solidarity and therefore a conservative force
Marxists perspectives
sees religion as an ideological status apparatus that helps to maintain and legitimise ruling class power and ideology
MARX
- this is achieved by suing religion as an 'opium of the masses' which clouds them from oppression and exploitation of capitalist society
this is achieved by promising eventual escape for the hardships in the afterlife and suggesting that hardships in this life is God's test
the hindu religion also shows how religion can be used to legitimise social inequality though the caste system
feminist perspective
believe that religion is a conservative force because it helps to maintain patriarchy
religious beliefs justify, reinforce and reproduce inequality based on male domination and control of women
this is achieved by showing women in a submissive way in religious text, marginalising and restricting women in religious organisations and hierarchy and religious laws and customs which give women fewer rights than men including things like divorce and property rights
religion as a compensator
STARK AND BAINBRIDGE
- theory of religion is similar to that of Berger as they examine the meaning and function of religion
they see religion as meeting the needs of the individual when their sense of social order is disrupted
they argue that religion helps to make sense of the disorder and chaos and acts as a compensator (a belief that if the individuals act in a certain way, they will eventually be rewarded)
they argue that by acting as a compensator, it is contributing to the maintenance of stability in social life
RELIGION AS A FORCE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
social action theories
- interpretivist approaches which look at the meanings behind an action
ascetism
- severe self-discipline and avoiding of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons
the protestant work ethic, the calvinist work ethic or the puritan work ethic is a work ethic concept in theology, sociology, economics and history that emphasises that hard work, discipline and frugality are a result of a person's subscription to the values espoused by the protestant faith, particularly Calvinism
calvinist beliefs
predestination
Calvin preached that God has already decided who would enter the kingdom of heaven before you are born and that his decision is final and unchangeable
those who are chosen are known as the
'elect'
divine transcendence
no individual would have the power to rival God and be able to predict his wishes
the only source of information is the bible itself, even the priests in the Calvinist faith could not predict God's will
vocation or calling
Calvinsits believe that the only way to glorify God was to devote themselves to their work
although this would influence God's decision or their experience in the afterlife, their devotion to hard work would honour him
Calvinism led to capitalism because...
Calvinists become anxious about being pert of the elect so to overcome this anxiety they devote themselves to their work, often acquiring vast amounts of wealth in the process
calvinists take this wealth as a sign of God's favour, which could mean they are part of the elect
they do not believe in squandering or spending their wealth instead they reinvest it into heir businesses, helping them grow
WEBER
- believes that Calvinsit beliefs led to the emergence of the spirit of capitalism in which the pursuit of profit was seen as a spiritual goal
EVALUATION
KAUTSKY
- disagrees with Weber's analysis of the role Calvinism played in the development of capitlaims
believes that modern capitalism already existed prior to the development of calvinsim
therefore, the only purpose of calvinism was to justify the reasons why the ruling class controlled the means of production and continue the myth of devine inequality
**MCGUIRE + ROBINSON - factors which determine if religion is a conservative force or a force for social change
(1)
the nature and extent of religious belief
if most people in a society hold religious beliefs and these beliefs have a strong moral code which conflicts with some features of the existing society, then religion is likely to lead to criticism of society and attempt to change it
(2)
the significance of religion in society
if religion is a central part of the culture and everyday life of a society, then a religion is more likely to be used as a justification for social change
(3)
the extent of the social involvement of religion
in societies where religious leaders are close to those in power, such as politicians and heads of state, the more likely they are to influence social change
(4)
the degree of central authority in religious organisations
in societies where religious organisations have strong central authority, religion is a much better position either to promote change or prevent it