...to whether sociologists believe religion does or does not inhibit social change will be discussed throughout this essay. Whereas sociologists such as Functionalist and Marxists believe that religion acts as a conservative force, thus inhibiting social change whether that is positive or negative, others believe that religion is a radical force and a major contributor to social change Firstly, functionalists believe that religion socialises its members through promoting shared norms, values and morals which prevent change as it promotes integrity and social solidarity. Functionalists such as Durkheim and Parsons argue that life is impossible without the shared norms, values and morals enforced in society and without them, believe that society would fail. Durkheim sees religion as having traditional conservative beliefs about moral issues and many oppose changes that would allow individuals more freedom in their personal lives for example, the Catholic Church forbids divorce and abortion etc. This supports the idea that religion inhibits change because it upholds the functionalist ideology of ‘family values’ and often favour the more traditional and out-dated ideas of family such as the patriarchal domestic division of labour. However, it is hard to see how religion can socialise the majority of society and stop social change from happening when in today’s society, only a minority of people regularly attend church or believe in a traditional religion. Furthermore, Functionalist...
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...Religion acts as a conservative force. Discuss. 33 marks Religion can be seen as a conservative force in two different senses. The first being that it is often seen as conservative in the sense of being ‘traditional’, defending traditional customs, institutions, moral views, roles etc. Basically it upholds traditional beliefs about how society should be organised. Secondly it is conservative because it functions to conserve or preserve things as they are. It stabilises society and maintains the status quo. Most religions have traditional conservative beliefs about moral issues and many of them oppose changes that would allow individuals more freedom in personal and sexual matters. An example of this would be the Catholic Church forbidding things such as divorce, abortion and artificial contraception. Having said this with the recent acceptance of the use of the condom from the Pope to prevent the spread of HIV it shows that the church has great power of its follower’s beliefs. People who may have had no problem with the use of the condom before may now speak this belief out loud now it has been condoned by the church in some way. Similarly, most religions uphold family values and often favour a traditional patriarchal domestic division of labour. An example of this would be the Church of England’s belief that the man should be head of the family. Traditional conservative values also predominate in non-Christian religions. Hinduism endorses male domestic authority and the...
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...He made the comparison that if his religion or his god commanded him to throw a baby into a volcano, no matter what the circumstances it would still be wrong for anyone to through a baby in a volcano (HLN, 2013). This goes hand in hand with the law and our society’s sacred canopy. If someone is told to commit an act of violence or even a robbery, the person who committed the act and the person who told him or her to commit that act are at fault. Just like in the musical Les Miserable, it did not matter that the reasoning for Jean Val Jean stealing the loaf of bread was to save his nephew from starving; he still became a thief and was held accountable for his...
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...federal court precedents. As for how the SHARIA law violates the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution one simply look no further than the third prong of the Lemon Test, which says a law passed under state or federal power should not create excessive government entanglement. Under the proposed definition of the this law, one would have to define what Sharia, is but my sharia’s definition, it is merely “a path to water” or a starting point and therefore would be different for each individual Muslim depending on their own interpretation and many other factors, rather than its counterpart in the Arabic language “fiqh” which is considered set in stone, but since it is decided by man, it may be filled in numerous errors and subject to change....
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...operate as a unifying force within society. * Religion is a conservative force- as religion is traditional and upholds traditional customs and beliefs which show society should be organised * Religion provides social harmony, sense of control, eases tension and gives confidence to perform stressful tasks and promotes group solidarity * Durkheim found impact of religion in society through Arunta clan in Australia they all worshipped a totem as the totem rituals gave each member of the clan a sense of belonging and awe evaluate as small sample and out of date * Talcott Parsons- helps individual cope with unforeseen events and uncontrollable outcomes as dealing with these avoids anomie ( state of normlessness) which would threaten social order * Robert Bellah- civil religion reinforces shared values and maintains social cohesion e.g. American civil religion – rituals pledging allegiance to the flag * Functionalist ignore religion as a cause of division and conflict in societies with more than one religion however civil religion covers this * Malinowski- religion promotes solidarity but he also argues that it does this in two key situations firstly where outcome is uncertain and uncontrollable and secondly at a time of crisis * As society has become more divers the collective conscience has become fragment as there is no longer a single share value system for religion to reinforce * Marxism- religion misleads the poor into believing suffering is...
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...Assess the view that religion is a force for social change. (18 marks) Sociologist take different views on the role of religion on society. Functionalist sociologist such as Parsons argue that religion serves to help its members by providing answers and comforting them through challenging period in their life. Whereas Marxist and feminist believe that religion acts as a conservative force for society, in order to prevent social change. Weber argues that religion can be a force of social change. From his study of the ‘protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism’, he argues that Calvinist beliefs helped to bring about major social change, in particular developing capitalism in Northern Europe. Calvinist led an ascetic lifestyle by working long hours, practising self-discipline and shunning all luxuries. As a consequence of their hard work they became wealthier, leading them to take this as a sign of God’s favour and their salvation. Weber argues that the acquisition of more and more money is the spirit of modern capitalism. Therefore this shows that the religious Calvinist beliefs played a major part in the emergence of capitalism into the world. However other sociologist argue that religion is a conservative force as is aims to preserve and stabilises society, which in turn maintains the status quo. Although Marxist and feminist have different views on the role of religion they both agree that it contributes to social stability. Marxist argue that religion is a conservative...
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...Assess the view that religion was once mainly a conservative influence but today is more a force for social change (30 marks) In the past religions role as a conservative force was portrayed by the monarchy, ruling the divine rights in medieval Europe, and the Egyptian pharaohs were considered as almost God-like figures and so no one questioned their authority. Feminists and Marxists both agree that religion is a conditioning device that oppresses people, diluting the demand for social change to protect the interests of the men and the ruling class. This is partially supported by the Functionalist approach, Durkheim expressed the belief that religion provides social cement, reinforcing traditional beliefs chosen by religious moral code; such as the 10 commandments for Christianity, for the good of society. However there are numerous examples of ways where religion has acted as a force of change, such as the war in Palestine, the wars in former Yugoslavia and in a positive way, the actions of religious leaders, such as Ghandi and Martin Luther King. In today’s society religion has acted as both a conservative force and a force of social change, as shown by ‘Islamic Fundamentalists’ in Iran and Afghanistan, and Christian fundamentalism reintroducing the teachings of creationism in the US. Religion is also seen to be a conservative force because it functions to preserve things as they are, it stabilises society and maintains status quo. Most religions have conservative moral...
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... a) Identify and briefly explain some of the ways in which religion could be said to ‘exert social control over the members of society’ (June2006) b) Identify and briefly explain some of the ways in which functionalists see religion meeting the needs of society and / or individuals. (June 2007) New syllabus: 12 mark questions a)Using material from item a and elsewhere, briefly examine the extent to which religion can still be said to be functional for individuals and society (June 2002) b) Briefly examine the evidence and or arguments in favour of the view that religion can act as a force for change in society (June 2006) c) Briefly examine post-modernist views on the nature and role of religion (June 2007) NEW SYLLABUS: 40 mark essay questions • Assess the role and functions of religious institutions and movements in contemporary society. (40) Sample A2 paper (Issued May 2000) • Evaluate the view that religion acts as a conservative force in modern society (40) Jun 2001 “The main function of religion is to provide people with a code of behaviour which regulates personal and social life.” Assess the extent to which sociological arguments and evidence support this view of religion in modern society (40) January 2002 Assess and evaluate the relationship between religion and social change. (40) Jan 2003 Assess the view that in most societies, religion functions more to cause conflict than to bring about harmony...
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...Religious Life of Planet Earth REL 212 26 July 2012 The term religion is coined as a particular response to dimensions of life considered sacred, as shaped by institutionalized traditions (Fisher, 2011). Religion can be associated as a group of people coming together to practice and share a feeling or doctrine of beliefs, to an individual meditating by themselves once or several times a day. Religion has become not just a practice of many people in one group, or a spiritual comfort to a singular person. One cannot simply justify what is religion just by looking at a group or a single individual. If we were to base religion off of a group, one could state that Alcoholics Anonymous could be a religious group. These people gather willingly together to form a support system for each other and comfort each other through their times of need. They do not worship one particular deity, but still gather for a greater purpose. With that being noted, I believe that one person or group cannot justify what they see or define as religion or what is not. I think it is up to the group or individuals practicing or believing in their faith or doctrine to acknowledge that they have a belief system that they hold as sacred. There are seven common factors that inhibit a sense of religion. What may seem like religion in one person’s mind may not be considered a religion in anothers. Of the seven common factors; rituals, narrative and mythic stories, experiential and...
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...multicultural country. Successful organization develop plans and are willing to spend resources on managing diversity in the workplace. In the past, the diversity in the workplace was a legal issue and over 45 years it is against the law to discriminate anyone, on any basis (Bedi, Preeti;, 2014). There are a lot of challenges faced by an organization and the methods to manage the diversity are explain in the following paragraphs. Facts and Findings Most of the challenges of workplace diversity face by organizations are: Communication: In every organization, there is a number of coworkers having different religions, races, and caste working in the same place. One of the main challenges of the diversity is poor communication...
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...motivation. It’s one’s will to do things, to better things, to change things. One’s influence in society and over one’s life is heavily affected by the motivation one possesses -- and it is this drive that defines “power”. Though Nathaniel Hawthorne centers his novel, “The Scarlet Letter,” around three different characters, only one truly possesses the drive that makes a powerful individual: Hester Prynne. Hester Prynne is an adultress, a sinner, who lives her life in isolation with her sole daughter, Pearl. Dimmesdale and Chillingworth, on the other hand, both hold respected statuses in their community -- Dimmesdale serving as a passionate minister, and Chillingworth as a talented physician. Despite Hester...
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...ed however that religion does in fact cause social change. Yet some believe that religion can be both a conservative force and a force for social change. Max Weber believed in the social action theory, where religious beliefs of Calvinists helped to bring about social change. This is supported in item A ‘religious ideas can be a powerful motivation for change, as Weber showed in his study of Calvinism.’ The emergence of modern capitalism in Northern Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries was due to Calvinist beliefs. Calvinists had several distinctive beliefs. Predestination, where god had predetermined whether a soul will be saved or not and there is nothing you can do to change this. Devine transcendence, no individual can claim to know god’s ill, which made people feel inner loneliness and ‘salvation panic’. Asceticism, abstinence, self-discipline and self-denial were required by Calvinist’s and prepared them for a life under capitalism. Vocation or calling, Calvinist’s introduced the idea of this worldly asceticism, which meant constant methodical work in occupation and was a religious duty. Again preparing people of life under capitalism as it requires hard work. Weber did not say that Calvinism was the cause of modern capitalism, but that it was one of the causes. Weber’s theory is often seen as a direct assault on Marx’s theory. Bruce was interested in the relationship between religion and social change he compaired two examples of religiously inspired protests...
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...Function of Religion Is to Promote Social Stability – (33 Marks) The main sociologists that support the view that the main functions of religious beliefs is to promote social stability are functionalists. They believe that religion performs functions and helps society, this is because society’s most basic need is the need for social order and solidarity so that its members can cooperate and to do this there needs to be value consensus, which without this individuals in society would pursue their own selfish desires and society would disintegrate. One functionalist that supports this argument is Durkheim which he states that religion and its institutions play a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus, order and solidarity. He distinguishes the difference between the sacred and the profane. He says that the sacred are the things set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder and are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions. By contrast, the profane are things that have no special significance. Therefore a religion is never simply a set of beliefs. It also involves definite rituals or practices on relation to the sacred and these rituals are collective which are performed by social groups. The fact that sacred things create such powerful feelings, Durkheim suggests this is because they are symbols representing something of great power and he says that this great power is society itself. Even though sacred symbols vary from religion to religion...
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...Religion can be defined as Religion is the relationship between a human being and the superhuman power. The various ways in which religion is expressed include (name five only) feelings of fear, legend, myths, prayer, rituals, and the application of religious precepts to the conduct of social life. Early modernization theorists viewed religion (with regard to politics) as an obstacle to modernization; Religion undermines socio-economic development; It undermines the development of modern states; They hoped that modernization of the Third World would lead to gradual decline of religion from public life; eventual disappearance of religion; That did not happen; Religion is very much alive; It remains part of politics. Dependency theorists view religion as unimportant; Give it only an occasional footnote in their writings; They blame colonial powers for having used religion to colonize today’s Third World. Political scientists have developed the following nuanced understanding of the relationship between religion, state and modernity they argue that all religions have legitimized the state’s authority at some point in history; in some respects, religious leaders and institutions may inhibit development; they oppose important aspects of social change; de-legitimize the political system; can try to make it look unpopular; they may encourage, facilitate development; modernization can induce the political secularization can induce peaceful co-existence between state (politics)...
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...Table of Contents Abstract............................................................................................................................i Acknowledgment.............................................................................................................ii Chapter 1..........................................................................................................................1 Background Of The Study.......................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem.........................................................................................2 Objectives..................................................................................................................2 Hypothesis.................................................................................................................2 Significance of the Study..........................................................................................3 Scope & Limitation....................................................................................................3 Chapter 2...........................................................................................................................4 Chapter 3...........................................................................................................................6 Chapter 4......................................................................
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