Religion and social change TO DESCRIBE A RANGE OF EXAMPLES ON RELIGION AND ANALYSE THEIR ROLE IN SOCIAL CHANGE UNDERSTAND SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLANTIONS OF THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN SOCIAL CHANGE EVALUATE RELATIONSHIP THE ANALYSIS BETWEEN RELIGION, SOCIAL STABILITY AND SOCIAL CHANGE

The role of religion Sociologists that have studied the role of religion in society tend to fall into one of two broad camps: 1. Those who see religion as a CONSERVATIVE force (conservative means keeping things the way they are.) These sociologists see religion as a force for stability and order. They may well favour a functionalist or a Marxist point of view. 2. Those who see religion as FORCE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE– supporters of this position point to the role of religion in encouraging societies to change. They may well be influenced by the writings of Max Weber.

Religion is a conservative force Religion is traditional and upholds traditional customs and beliefs to how society should be organised. 2. It functions to conserve or preserve the status quo

Conservative force Maintain traditional beliefs

Maintain patriarchy?

Religion’s conservative function Religion and consensus Maintains social stability, social solidarity and value consensus. Outlet for stress that may otherwise disrupt society Functionalism Religion and Capitalism Religion prevents social change in the interests of powerful Legitimates and reproduces inequality and disguises exploitation Traditional Marxism Religion and Patriarchy Religion is an ideology that legitimises patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination Feminism

Weber Religion as a force for change Capitalism Calvinism An Example: The Protestant Ethic Calvinism brought about a work ethic that gave rise to capitalism (was one of the contributing factors, others resources, trade etc)

Weber Religion as a force for change The spirit of capitalism Capitalism is based on the systematic, efficient, rational pursuit of profit for its own sake, rather then consumption (not spent on greed for wealth as in pat). The spirit had Elective affinity (unconscious similarity) to the Calvinist beliefs and attitudes.

Calvinist beliefs Predestination Divine Transcendence Asceticism The idea of vocation or calling God has predetermined which souls will be saved The individual can do nothing to change this salvation anxiety – not knowing if heaven or hell awaited. God is so immortal and great that no human can claim to know his will (including priests). This gives rise to loneliness. This combined with predestination created what Weber refers to as salvation panic Abstinence, self discipline and self denial. Live a simple life as Jess did Other world asceticism a calling to serve God (Monks) used to be the only calling Weber believed that Calvinism introduced this world asceticism . That we work to glorify Gods name and we do this through mythological work in society (as a religious duty) Idleness is a sin, no luxury, long working hours Performed 2 functions: Allowed Calvinists to cope with their salvation panic Reinforced the gains of more wealth. The spirit of modern capitalism.

Hinduism and Confucianism Other societies had a higher rate of economic growth then Northern Europe in the C16th and C17th, but still failed to adopt modern capitalism. China and India were more materially advanced but didn’t adopt capitalism due to their lack of religious belief like Calvinism. They promote rewards in the other life, good deeds and other goals that lacked the material drive that Calvinism created.

Evaluation of Weber Before we begin, write down 3 key points that you feel summarise Weber’s theory. Religion is a force for social change The Protestant work ethic Theodicy - predestination

Evaluation of Weber Some commentators have suggested that slavery, colonialism and piracy were more important than Calvinist beliefs in accumulating the capital required for industrialisation. PARKIN – is critical of Weber as capitalism was late to develop in Scotland, despite Calvinism being present there. Marxists are critical – they argue that capitalism predates Calvinism.RH Tawney – technological change give rise to capitalism. Then B adopted ideas to maintain it Bruce & Hamilton – Weber’s theory lacks validity based on assumption, not evidence Kautsky– Weber overestimates ideas and underestimates the economic factors Jones surprising relevance for contemporary society – can see evidence in modern day society

Religion and Social protest Steve Bruce – Relationship between religion and social change. Compares the role of religiously inspired protest movements in the USA Civil Rights The new Christian Right http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBPeCQzHu5w

The American Civil Rights Movement Bruce – CRM = Religiously motivated social change Campaigning involved direct action (marches, boycotts, demonstrations). Segregation outlawed in 1964 The Black Clergy played a major role (Dr Martin Luther King) giving moral legitimacy to activists. They provided sanctuary and unity. Appealed to common Christian values of equality

Bruce – Religion is an ideological resource Religious organisations role in social change Channelling dissent Acting as an honest broker Mobilising public opinion Taking the moral high ground CRM helped religion get involved with a secular struggle and bring about change. It had the shared values of those in power and those in wider society and could use these to push for change

10 mark question Identify and explain two ways in which the use of religion benefited the American Civil Rights movement.

The New Christian Right Protestant fundamentalists Opposition to the liberalising society Want to take America ‘back to God’ Want abortion, homosexuality and divorce illegal and ban SRE in schools Want traditional family and gender roles and teaching of creationism only in schools.

The New Christian Right Campaigns increase profile since 1970s Use of media – Televangelists – to make converts and recruit new members Links with the Republican party New moral majority formed as a pressure group

The New Christian Right The NCR has been largely unsuccessful New moral majority – not a majority – but 15% of population Found it difficult to cooperate with other religious groups Oppositional groups – pro-choice Bruce NCR = Failed movement for social change Didn't connect with the mainstream beliefs about democracy, equality and religious freedom (as CRM did)

10 mark Question Identify and explain 2 reasons why the New Cristian Right movement may have failed to achieve its aims

Marxism, religion and change Marxists recognise that religious ideas can have relative autonomy (can be partly independent from the economic base) so can sometimes be a force for change as well as stability Marx thinks religion humanises a world that exploitation has made inhuman Engels – inhibits change but can also challenge the status quo and encourage social change- fight against slavery

Marxism, religion and change Reading page 16-18 Like Engels – (inhibits change but can also challenge the status quo and encourage social change)- Ernst Bloch believed that religion could inspire protest and rebellion. Religion is an expression of the ‘principal of hope’ Cast a vision of a better world and how this can be achieved (with political organisation leading to social change)

Liberation theology Emerged in 1960s, Catholic church, opposition to military dictatorships and commitment to helping the poor in Latin America. Big move away for the Church from supporting elites and accepting poverty. Arose due to 3 factors Deepening rural poverty Human rights abuses by military dictatorships Commitment of priests to ideology that supported HR and the poor

Liberation theology Priests harboured freedom fighters, developed literacy programmes, took the sides of the oppressed and mobilised support. In 1980s the Church’s official line changed and it condemned liberation theory on the grounds that it resembled Marxism. The priests had to concentrate on the pastoral activities – not political struggles. The movement has since lost influence. Most countries are now democracies and Catholicism has got more conservative. But still defends democracy and HR

Liberation theology Liberation theory has led Marxists to believe that religion can be a force for social change. Otto Maduro – religion can be a revolutionary force that brings about change. The religious ideas radicalised the clergy in the fight for the peasants and workers Lowy – questions Marx’s view that religion always legitimises social inequality. Other Marxists disagree that it can bring about change – depends on definition of the social change

Millenarian movements p17-18 Millenarian movements are an example of the desire to change things on earth at present and bring about the kingdom of God. Millenarian movements expect the immanent transformation of this world by supernatural means. The group will be saved on earth and will live in utopia on earth – Peter Worsley Worked well amongst poor, exploited groups, especially in the colonies.

Millenarian movements Millenarian movements used traditional beliefs, ideas and images with Christianity . They united tribal movements and became mass movements. They were the precurver to the political movements to overthrow colonial rule. For Marxists they were the first awakening of the proletarian self consciousness Your tasks: What are cargo cults? How did they combine traditional beliefs and Christianity? How are they linked to social change?

Gramsci: Religion and hegemony Interested in ISAs – how the government use ideas to control society. Hegemony – the way the RC use ideas (RELIGION) to control the WC Government have popular consent to rule so there is no need for coercion. Catholic Church helped win support For Mussolini’s fascist regime.

Gramsci: Religion and hegemony Hegemony isn't always guaranteed – WC can develop an alternative vision or a counter hegemony. Religion has a dual culture that can challenge as well as support the RC. Your task: Explain Gramsci's idea that religion can promote change as well as maintain ruling class ideology.

Coalminers & Textile workers struggle Religion and class conflict – Dwight Billings: A modern application of Gramschi Compared the Coalminers & Textile workers struggle. The coalminers were more militant and forceful the textile workers more accepting and inactive Religion can play an important role in effecting class struggle (other factors did play a part too) Your task: Fill in details on this mind map for miners and another for textile workers Coalminers & Textile workers struggle Leadership Organisation Support