explanations of religious fundamentalism

aqa a level sociology - beliefs in society- religion in a global context - religious fundamentalism

what is religious fundamentalism often associated with in the media?

islamist terrorism

where does fundamentalism arise?

where traditional beliefs & values are threatened or challenged in modern society

what threats to traditional religion are there from outside?

• capitalist globalisation

• penetration of western culture

• military invasion

what threats to traditional religion are there from within?

• secularisation

• liberal attitudes

what are the key features of fundamentalism?

• authoritative sacred text

• us & them mentality

• aggressive reaction

• use of modern technology

• patriarchy

• prophecy

• conspiracy theories

what is an authoritative sacred text?

where the holy text is taken as literally true, inerrant & not open to questioning

what is an us & them mentality?

where fundamentalists separate themselves from the rest of the world & refuse to compromise

what does Davie say about the us & them mentality?

fundamentalists establish islands of certainty against what they see as social & cultural chaos

what is an aggressive reaction?

where fundamentalist movements aim to draw attention to the threat of their beliefs & values by intending to shock, intimidate or harm

what is use of modern technology?

where fundamentalists use modern technology to achieve their aims despite rejecting modern culture

what is an example of using modern technology?

televangelism

what does Hawley say about patriarchy in fundamentalism?

they favour a world in which control of women is fixed for all time by divine decree

what is prophecy?

fundamentalists believe there is relevance to prophecies within their holy texts

what are conspiracy theories?

fundamentalists are attracted to the idea that there are powerful, hidden, evil forces in control of human destiny

what does Davie say fundamentalism is a product of?

the clash between modernity & traditional cultures

what does Giddens say fundamentalism is a product of?

globalisation

what is cosmopolitanism?

(Giddens) a way of thinking that embraces modernity & is in keeping with today’s globalising world

what are the features of cosmopolitanism?

• reflexivity

• tolerant of views

• justification through rational argument

• lifestyle is personal choice

• pursuit of personal meaning

what does Bauman see fundamentalism is a product of?

postmodernism

how is fundamentalism a product of postmodernity?

the instability makes the claims of absolute truth & certainty attractive to some

what two responses to postmodernity does Castells distinguish between?

• resistance identity

• project identity

what is resistance identity?

a defensive reaction of those who feel threatened & retreat into fundamentalist communities

what is project identity?

the response of those who are forward looking & engage with social movements

what are Beckford’s criticisms of Giddens, Bauman & Castells?

• distinguish too sharply between cosmopolitanism & fundamentalism, ignoring hybrid movements

• fixated on fundamentalism

• Giddens lumps all types of fundamentalism together

• defensive reaction explanation ignores that reinventing tradition is also reflexive

what is Hayne’s criticism of explanations of fundamentalism?

we should not focus narrowly on the idea that Islamic fundamentalism is a reaction against globalisation