Religion conservative force

What is a conservative force?

any institution, belief, or practice (often religion, tradition, or ideology) that maintains the status quo, upholds existing social structures, and resists rapid change, promoting stability, social order, and traditional values

How can religion be seen as a conservative force?

1. Of being ‘traditional’, defending traditional customs, institutions, moral views, roles etc. In other words, it upholds traditional beliefs about how society should be organised.

2. because it functions to conserve or preserve things as they are. It stabilises society and maintains the status quo.

How do functionalists see religion?

as a conservative force because it functions to maintain social stability and prevent society from disintegrating. It promotes social solidarity by creating value consensus, thus reducing the likelihood of society collapsing through individuals pursuing their own selfish interests at the expense of others. It also helps individuals to deal with stresses that would otherwise disrupt the life of society.

How do Marxist view religion?

Marx sees religion as a conservative ideology that prevents social change. By legitimating or disguising exploitation and inequality, it creates false consciousness in the working class and prevents revolution, thereby maintaining the stability of capitalist society.

How do feminists view religion?

Feminists see religion as a conservative force because it acts as an ideology that

legitimates patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination in the family and wider society.