Religion as a Conservative Force Essay - 1132 Words

Religion as a Conservative Force ‘Conservative forces’ in this context can be defined as forces, which protect the existing social order, and radical forces being the opposite of conservative forces are those, which promote change. ‘’ Religion is essentially a conservative force in society and if that is true than it would also be true that religion can also play a part in social change.’ To evaluate whether religion is a conservative force or a force for social change I am going to first look at the different perspectives of what role religion takes in a society. The functionalist perspective on religion examines it in terms of society’s needs and is mainly concerned with the†¦show more content†¦Functionalist theories like Durkheim establish the thought that society shapes religion. Marxists such as Weber uses a one sided approach in which religion leads to social change, and is shown in his argument of the role of Calvinism in the development of capitalism. Weber believes that ideas can influence the social structure. He adopts the social action approach and demonstrates how different religions lead to different economic outcomes and shows how other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam all are religion in which have different morals beliefs and values and so are not suited to the development of Calvinism and he shows how religious values can encourage and promote social change rather than oppose it and so does not believe that religion is a conservative force in the same way that functionalists like Marx and Durkheim do. Weber argues that religion plays a radical role in society, a force for social change. Weber is seen as a social action theorist whom emphasized that beliefs and motives direct human behaviour. He showed how religious beliefs and values in different cultures could promote and encourage social change rather than opposing it. Malinowski is functionalist like Marx he believes that religion is a conservative force he states that in all societies there areShow MoreRelatedReligion as a Conservative Force Essay936 Words   |  4 PagesReligion as a Conservative Force Describing Religion as a Conservative Force seems to imply that Religion is an inhibitor of social change and used as a means by which to maintain the existing order of Society and the Status Quo. Some Sociologists such as Durkheim and Marx would agree with this and there are others who would argue against such a claim. It is a debate, one side says Religion inhibits change and the other says it sets social change in motion. AsRead MoreThe View that Religion Acts as a Conservative Force on Society961 Words   |  4 PagesThe View that Religion Acts as a Conservative Force on Society Even though sociologists do not have a true definition of religion they believe that religion is a belief in the supernatural. Some sociologists believe that religion acts as a conservative force. A conservative force is something that prevents change within society and also maintains the status quo. Functionalist believes that religion is a conservative force. Durkhiem believes that everybody shares theRead MoreAssessing the Claim that Religion is a Conservative Force Essay724 Words   |  3 PagesAssessing the Claim that Religion is a Conservative Force The view that religion acts as a conservative force in society is usually linked mainly with the Marxist approach. Marx argued that the bourgeoisie (the ruling class) used religious ideas as part of the ‘ideological state apparatus’, this referring to those institutions that served to conceal the capitalist exploitation of the proletariats (the working class) and at the same time make them believe, under falseRead MoreThe Role of Religion as a Conservative Force and as an Indicator of Change2079 Words   |  9 PagesThe Role of Religion as a Conservative Force and as an Indicator of Change FUNCTIONALISM Emiline Durkheim believed that religion is central to the reproduction and maintenance of social order in societies. The major function of religion is to socialise society’s members into value consensus by the following. * Setting certain values apart and infusing them with special significance. These values become moral codes or beliefs which Read MoreAssess the View That Religion Inevitably Acts as a Conservative Force in Society875 Words   |  4 PagesAssess the view that religion inevitably acts as a conservative force in society The main sociological theories all believe religion acts as a conservative force in society in a sense that religion helps keep things the way they are and keep everything stable. However some of these theories may be against the idea that religion acts conservative force for their own reasons. For example Feminism believes that religion acts as a conservative force nevertheless they are against it as they believeRead MoreIdentify And Briefly Explain Three Func1490 Words   |  6 PagesIdentify and briefly explain three functions of religion (9 marks) Marxism believes it acts as the ‘opium for the exploited working class people’. Religion would cushion the pain of oppression and exploitation in unequal societies such as in a capitalist society. It legitimized and maintained the power of the ruling class – helps to maintain the status quo by preventing the less powerful from changing things. Feminists see religion as a conservative force because it acts as an ideology that legitimatesRead MoreReligion and Social Change1217 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Religion can be both a conservative force and an initiator of social change†. To what extent to sociological arguments/evidence support this view. There is great debate concerning the role of religion in society, and whereas some claim that religion acts as a conservative force (that is, it inhibits change), others argue that religion is a major contributor to social change. As would be expected, many sociologists have took the middle ground, and argue that religion can act as both as conservativeRead MoreEssay on religion and social change1102 Words   |  5 Pages Religion on social change This essay is to assess the contribution of religion as a cause of social change and what it has cause throughout the years, some say that religion acts as a conservative force, other say it is a major contributor of social change and some like to take the middle ground on this topic. Religion to sociologist can be seen in two types of ways which is either a conservative force (keeping thing the way they are) or a force for change. Those who see it as a conservativeRead MoreReligion May Encourage Rather Than Inhibit Social Change Essay examples697 Words   |  3 PagesReligion May Encourage Rather Than Inhibit Social Change There are many arguments for and against the notion of religion encouraging change in society. In his book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber examines the possible relationship between the rise in Calvinism, a denomination of Protestantism, and the growth of industrialisation (or capitalism). He says that the guidelines laid down by this religion state a man must have a calling inRead More Functionalist View on the Role and Functions of Religion in Society716 Words   |  3 PagesFunctionalist View on the Role and Functions of Religion in Society Assess the view that sociological arguments and evidence support the Functionalist view of the role and functions of religion in contemporary society. Functionalists believe that religion is a conservative force, and an institution which adds to the requirements of society. They say it ultimately operates as an agency of socialisation. Durkheim (1912) said that all societies are separated into