Religion and Social Change 4 main arguments here 1. Religion prevents social change Religion is a...

Religion and Social Change• 4 main arguments here

• 1. Religion prevents social change

• Religion is a cause of the retention of conservative or traditional values.

• This is the view of both Functionalists and Marxists

Religion and Social Change

2. Religion causes social change

• Quite simply there are those who believe

• That religion causes changes in society

• E.g. Weber


3. ‘It Depends’approach

Here quite literally it depends on a variety of things

In some cases religion prevents change

In others…it causes change

Religion and Social Change4. Changes in society cause changes in

religion

This is the basis of the secularisation debate – see later notes

“The debate concerning the role of religion in society is essentially a debate about cause and effect.” Click here for more

Religion and Social Change• Religion prevents change • Religion as a conservative force• Functionalists see religion as an integrative

force in society, helping to preserve the status quo.

• Marxists agree that religion acts in opposition to social change but this is in a negative way i.e. it helps to perpetuate the class system under capitalism

• However, the word 'conservative' can be used in different ways

Religion and Social Change1.

Conservative can mean that things are kept as they are.

Some things become ‘traditional’ and always have to be done in a certain way,

this helps to bring about continuity and stability to a society.

Religion and Social Change2.Conservative can be used in a way which

opposes any new ideas. This is obviously linked to point 1 but can go

further in that some groups can actively campaign to prevent change from happening

e.g. The Roman Catholic Church and its ideas on birth control.

Religion and Social Change3.Conservative can be used in a radical way, this seems a little

bit of a paradox but if change occurs helping a group or society to revert back to ways of the past this can be seen as a step forward by some!

A good example of this is what happened in Iran in the 1979 – the country reacted against the Westernising influences that had been developing and re-established a strict Islamic regime.

Many in the Western world saw this as a step backwards but many in the Islamic world saw it as a step forward.


Functionalism

Religion is functionally necessary

It helps to maintain social stability and value-consensus.

It reinforces the collective conscience

it strengthens values and beliefs and promotes social solidarity

Religion and Social ChangeCollective worship is regarded as particularly

important for the integration of society

since it enables members to express their shared values and strengthens group unity

By worshipping together, people have a sense of commitment and belonging.

Ritual is very important to Functionalists such as Durkheim and Parsons

Religion and Social ChangeDurkheim regarded Nationalism and

Communism as the new religions of industrial society, taking over from Christianity

Flag waving, nationalism etc are the new forms of displaying collective sentiments

Religion and Social ChangeA service to celebrate the lives of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman took place at Ely Cathedral for 2,000 relatives, friends and Soham residents as well as those who helped in the police investigation.

The parents of the murdered 10-year-olds had asked people to come to the service in brightly coloured clothes

The best friends' bodies were found near RAF Lakenheath after the girls had been missing for 13 days, sparking a massive police hunt. School caretaker Ian Huntley has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and charged with murdering the two best friends.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2201228.stm


Marxism

‘Religion is the opium of the

masses’


'Religion is a kind of spiritual gin in which the slaves of capital drown their human shape and their claims to any decent life'

Religion and Social ChangeMarxismfor Marx religion was essentially a tool of class

exploitation and oppressionReligion is part of the ‘false consciousnessPeople are conned into believing that

everything is fairReligion diverts them from focusing on the

inequalities in their livesGod is ‘man/woman made’ – a human creation

Religion and Social ChangeMarxismIn communism religion would disappear as there

would be no need for itReligion ‘dulls the pain of oppression’ by the promise

of paradise in the next lifeSome religions make a virtue of suffering‘it is easier for a camel…etc’There is promise of more in Heaven/Nirvana etcReligion justifies the social order….the rich man in his

castle, the poor man at his gate; god made them high or lowly and ordered their estate.’ (All Things Bright & Beautiful)


MarxismHowever, there are many Neo-Marxists who

argue that religion does help promote social change

Religion and Social ChangeReligion Causes Social Change Weber

Weber believed that religion was a force for change and developed a theory that protestentism was responsible for capitalism developing. This was developed in his work:-

'The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit Of Capitalism'

Religion and Social ChangeWeber believed that there was a

relationship between religious belief and the ethos of capitalism

It was a particular form of Protestantism (ascetic Protestantism) which helped capitalism to develop in Europe.

The ‘ascetic’ bit was about strict adherence to biblical rules, an emphasis on hard work and self denial.

Religion and Social ChangeThus, the religious beliefs of

Protestantism coupled with the presence of the necessary

economic conditions resulted in the development of

the capitalist system. A variety of Protestantism –

Calvinism – was particularly influential


CalvinismWas a 16th century protestant religion based on

the works of John CalvinThey believed in pre-destination but were not

sure that they were part of the ‘elect’ destined for heaven – this led to a ‘salvation panic’

Their frugal lifestyle helped them to convince themselves that they were saved


Calvinism

Certain facets of Calvinistic doctrine actively promoted capitalist development.

They emphasised hard work, no idleness (devil makes work for etc) no dancing, music, theatre etc


CalvinismSex only for procreation (cold baths and

veggie diets were encouraged to dampen sexual ardour)

Basically, there was little to spend their money on and so many reinvested in their businesses - helping them to grow.


Although rather a crude analogy – the closest group to the Calvinists of Weber’s writings are the Amish and Mennonites.

The Amish are a religious group who live in settlements in 22 states and Ontario, Canada.

The oldest group of Old Order Amish, about 16-18,000 people live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Amish stress humility, family and community, and separation from the world.

Religion and Social ChangeReligion Causes Social Change Weber - CriticismsWeber's theory has been subject to

considerable criticism, indeed it is a classic dispute in sociology.

The main criticisms are that Weber mislocated capitalism (historically); misinterpreted protestantism; misunderstood catholicism and misplaced causality.

Religion and Social Change• Kautsky (1953) writing from a Marxist standpoint

argues that capitalism actually came before Calvinism and that capitalists were attracted to Calvinism and adopted it because it helped to legitimise their way of doing things.

• Some sociologists and historians have argued that colonialism and slavery were more important in helping capitalism to develop than Calvinism.

• Some countries with large Calvinist populations (e.g. Sweden) did not industrialise, therefore pouring cold water on Weber’s theory. However, Marshall sticks up for Weber and points out that he never said that Calvinism was the only factor in helping capitalism to develop, other things such as skilled and mobile labour were also important.


The ‘It Depends’ ApproachThis approach suggests that religion can both

prevent change and force change depending on the circumstances.

An important point concerning change, however,

is that religion can promote two main types of change: radical - a new direction in society, or conservative- a return to the social arrangements of the past


Thompson (l986), outlines a range of factors affecting the relationship

between religion and social change: 1. Charismatic leaders.2. Beliefs and practices.3. Relationship to society.4. The social status of religious membership.5. The presence of alternative avenues to change.6. Organisational structure


Charismatic Leaders

There are many charismatic leaders who have caused social change e.g. Hitler, Christ

People are attracted to charismatic leaders and are ‘persuaded’ by them

Charismatic religious leaders often, provide a focus for discontent and a view of a better world – especially in sects.


Charisma has 3 key elements 1. It is used to describe a range of people

from rock stars to teachers2. It is often seen as dangerous – a leader

can make people do things they wouldn’t normally do

3. Groups with charismatic leaders are often short lived. It is difficult to maintain the charisma element once the leader dies!

Religion and Social ChangeBeliefs and practices

The main distinction here is between this worldly and other worldly beliefs.

Other worldly beliefsstress the powerlessness of humans and the

inevitability of misery in this world, but salvation in the world to come, Consequently they provide little motivation to

change society. e.g. Hinduism


This worldly beliefs

• encourage the individual to try and change the world for the better glorification of God.

• E.g. The Moonies


Relationship to society

This is concerned with the extent to which the church is linked to the state

The closer the links the more likely it is that a church will support the state and maintain the status quo

e.g. Catholic Church in Ireland


Social change is likely to be promoted by denominations and sects that are on the fringes of society and whose membership is primarily made up of the poor and disadvantaged.


Social status of religious membership there is a tendency for established churches

to draw their membership from upper status groups while sectarian movements tend to attract less privileged groups.

Thus sectarian movements may be seen by

their members as a vehicle for the promotion of social change.


The presence of alternative avenues to change The idea, here, is that in the absence of

political avenues for achieving social change, religion may be the only organised institution available that can provide the organisational tools for achieving change

The Catholic church was instrumental in helping the union ‘Solidarity’ promote change in Poland.

Religion and Social ChangeOrganisational structure

• Religions with a centralised priesthood, hierarchy of paid officials and bureaucratic structure often inhibit change.

• Nelson (1971), argues that Sect-like organisations tend to encourage a 'withdrawal' from the world. Church like organisations encourage civil rights militancy.

• Neo Marxists like Gramsci and Madura suggest strong churches like The RC church can provide a vehicle for change in some parts of the world e.g. Latin America


Merideth McGuire 1981Says the question should not be - does religion cause

social change – but when, how and under what circumstances.

Beliefs – Where religion is concerned with ‘this’ world rather than the ‘other’ world it is more likely to enable change. Protestantism has more impact than Buddhism.

Culture – In cultures where religious belief plays a central part – then it is more likely to play a role in causing or preventing) social change.

Social Location – Where religion is intertwined with the political process it can play a part in enabling change

Internal Organisation – Religions with a strong internal organisation have more chance of affecting events

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