role of religion

ideology

different views of how something is described

marxist view on religion

they believe it is a ideological tool used by the ruling class to justify inequality, stabilize society

althusser argument on ideologies

he argues that ideologies are spread through the media, education, and religion etc - most dominat ideolgy is capitalism

gramsci argument on ideologies

he argues that using dominant ideas to influence others and maintain power - hegemony

hegemony

the dominan influence, authority or leadership used by one group over others, it is often achieved by cultrual control rather than physical force

counter hegemony

the active challenge dominant, social, political and economic power structures (leaders)

gellner argument on nationalism

argues that nationalism is false consciousness because nations are not ancient - nationalism s a modern ideology that emerged in the industrial period

nationalism ideology

when individuals identify with ones own national and supports it interests - believe it to be superior to others

functionalist view on nationalism

see it as a secular civil religion that integrated individuals into society by creating a shared sense of belonging and collective identity

Characteristics of the far right in the UK are:  

white supremacist  

homophobia  

violent terrorist  

neo-Nazi  

feminists view on religion

men have use religion to support their patriarchal ideology

karl manheimm

he has 2 broad types of worldview

karl manheim world views

ideological thought

utopian thought

ideological thought

justifies keeping things as they are - reflects the positions and interests of privileged groups in a capitalist society

utopian thought

justifies social change - reflects the positions and interest of the underprivileged

giddens

argues that religion involves shared belief and rituals that provide a sense of ultimate meaning and purpose by creating an idea of reality that is sacred

difference between ideology ands religion

religions are based on faith in the supernatural and ideologies are based the interest of a social group

marx - Marxists view on religion

argues that capitalists used religion to support their ideologies

how does religion support capitalistic ideologies

cushions the pain of oppression and exploitation in unequal societies and leads to no change

maintain the power of the ruling class over the working class and reproduces and justifies class inequality

leach

argues that Christian thought was used to describe slaves as savage sub-human and justifies colonisation

secularisation theorists view on science

argue that it has undermined religion by changing the way we think and how we see the world

impact of science

transformed society through advances in medicine, tech and productivity

created problems such as pollution, global climate change and weapons of mass destruction

creates a strong public faith in science as a problem solving force

popper

believes that religion is an open belief system and that theories are tested and criticised

open belief system

the ability and capacity that religious techniques can adopt, evolve and change to maintain relevance in a changing modern world

horton