Feminist Theories of Religion
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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of denominations and cults?

  • They demand a strong commitment from followers.
  • They accept that there can be many valid interpretations of the faith. (correct)
  • They claim to have the only legitimate interpretation of the faith.
  • They are seen as deviant by wider society.

    • According to Wallis (1984), what is a characteristic of churches and sects?

  • They accept that there can be many valid interpretations of the faith.
  • They claim to have the only legitimate interpretation of the faith. (correct)
  • They are seen as deviant by wider society.
  • They are led by practitioners or therapists.

    • What is a characteristic of world-rejecting NRMs?

  • They have a clear religious belief and seek radical change. (correct)
  • They are breakaways from existing mainstream churches or denominations.
  • They lack conventional features of religion.
  • They focus on worldly matters.

    • What is true about world-accommodating NRMs?

    <p>They are breakaways from existing mainstream churches or denominations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of world-affirming NRMs?

    <p>They lack conventional features of religion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do sociologists argue about religious organisations?

    <p>They do not fit today's reality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of cults?

    <p>They are led by practitioners or therapists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about churches?

    <p>They have lost their monopoly of truth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a difference between churches and denominations?

    <p>Churches are seen as legitimate and respectable, while denominations are not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the common characteristic of Hinduism and Calvinism, according to Max Weber?

    <p>Ascetic practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Max Weber argue was the main reason for the lack of modern capitalism in Hindu and Confucian societies?

    <p>Different religious belief systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Max Weber's view of social change differ from Marx's?

    <p>Weber believes that cultural aspects also influence social change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Kautsky, what did Max Weber overestimate in his theory of social change?

    <p>The role of ideas and cultural aspects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Tawney argue is the vital influence in the development of capitalism?

    <p>Technological advancements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did capitalism develop slowly in Scotland, according to Marshall?

    <p>Lack of investment and skilled labor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between Hinduism and Calvinism, according to Max Weber?

    <p>Hinduism is other-worldly, Calvinism is this-worldly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do Hinduism and Confucianism lack, according to Max Weber, that prevented them from developing modern capitalism?

    <p>The drive to develop a modern capitalist system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central argument of Max Weber's theory of social change?

    <p>Cultural aspects, including religious beliefs, influence social change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why women are attracted to Pentecostalism?

    <p>The emphasis on asceticism and men's role as breadwinners</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the social phenomenon where women are attracted to Pentecostalism despite its patriarchal nature?

    <p>Pentecostal gender paradox</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of the UK's religious society?

    <p>Multi-ethnic and multi-religious</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why black people are more likely to attend church than white people?

    <p>Cultural identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does religion play for minorities according to Bruce (2002)?

    <p>Means of cultural identity and support</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a reason why religion can ease the transition into a new culture?

    <p>It provides a sense of community</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Herberg (1955) find about religious participation among immigrants?

    <p>High levels of religious participation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of Pryce's (1979) study on the African Caribbean community in Bristol?

    <p>Pentecostalism helped African Caribbeans adapt to British society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the phenomenon of women being more likely to be poor?

    <p>Social deprivation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is necessary for science to thrive as a major social institution?

    <p>Support from other institutions and values</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common feature of religious organisations according to feminist theories?

    <p>Male domination despite women's participation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the norms in science, according to Merton?

    <p>To serve the goal of increasing scientific knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the principle of universalism in science?

    <p>The truth of scientific knowledge is judged by universal standards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a way in which women use religion to gain status and respect?

    <p>Entering priesthood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between science and religion, according to Horton?

    <p>Science is an open belief system, while religion is closed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of religious laws and customs according to feminist theories?

    <p>They restrict women's participation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the Azande believe is the cause of misfortune?

    <p>Witchcraft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a feature of sacred texts according to feminist theories?

    <p>They feature male figures such as gods or prophets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a function of religion according to the concept of religion as a conservative force?

    <p>To hold beliefs and functions that conserve or preserve things in stabilising society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Azande belief about witchcraft?

    <p>Witchcraft is a psychic power that can cause unintentional harm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a traditionalist custom upheld by many religions?

    <p>Patriarchal headed family</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the social function of witchcraft beliefs in Azande society, according to Evans-Pritchard?

    <p>To prevent grudges and promote social harmony</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the benge ritual in Azande society?

    <p>To investigate accusations of witchcraft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a symbolic significance of wearing hijab to Muslim women?

    <p>A symbol of liberation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of liberal Protestant organisations?

    <p>They are committed to gender equality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of being accused of witchcraft in Azande society?

    <p>The accused can apologize and promise to stop bewitching</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a factor that saw the establishment of a single patriarchal figure of god?

    <p>The development of monotheistic religions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Feminist Theories of Religion

    • Religious organizations, places of worship, sacred texts, and religious laws and customs often perpetuate patriarchy, with women being given fewer rights and opportunities.
    • Armstrong argues that earlier religions placed women at the center, but the development of monotheistic religions led to a patriarchal figure of God.
    • Woodhead (2009) notes that while oppression is present in many religions, it's not true of all religions.
    • Wearing the hijab is seen as a symbol of liberation by some Muslim women, allowing them to enter public spheres without being condemned as immodest.
    • Women use religion to gain status and respect within the private sphere, participating in activities like Bible studies to share their experiences.

    Religion and Social Change

    Religion as a Conservative Force

    • Religion often defends traditionalist customs, upholding conservative beliefs about morality and favoring a patriarchal headed family.
    • It holds beliefs and functions that conserve or preserve things in stabilizing society.
    • However, some societies have had higher levels of economic development without developing modern capitalism, which Weber argues is due to a lack of a religious belief system like Calvinism.

    Evaluation of Weber

    • Weber's views differ from Marx's, who believed that economic factors solely drive social change.
    • Kautsky (1926) argues that Weber overestimates the role of ideas and underestimates economic factors in bringing capitalism.
    • Tawney (1926) believes that technology plays a vital role in capitalism, not religious ideas.

    Types of Religious Organizations

    • Wallis (1984) highlights two characteristics of similarities and differences: how they see themselves and how they're seen by wider society.
    • Churches and denominations are seen as respectable and legitimate, while sects and cults are seen as deviant.

    New Religious Movements (Wallis)

    • World-rejecting NRMs: highly critical of the outside world, seeking radical change, and desiring salvation.
    • World-accommodating NRMs: breakaways from mainstream churches, focusing on religious rather than worldly matters.
    • World-affirming NRMs: lacking conventional features of religion, offering access to spiritual or supernatural powers.

    Social Deprivation and Pentecostalism

    • Social deprivation explains why women are more likely to be poor and attracted to sects.
    • Pentecostalism has grown in recent years, but is generally seen as patriarchal due to its male church leaders.
    • Women are attracted to Pentecostalism due to its ascetic way of life and requirement for men to be breadwinners.

    Ethnicity and Religiosity

    • The UK is now a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society, with varying differences in religious participation patterns.
    • Reasons for ethnic differences include religion offering support and a sense of cultural identity, especially in uncertain or hostile environments.

    The CUDOS Norms

    • Merton (2007) argues that science needs an 'ethos' or set of norms to make scientists act in ways that serve the goal of increasing scientific knowledge.
    • Four such norms: communism, universalism, disinterestedness, and organized skepticism.

    Closed Belief Systems

    • Opposing science, religion is a closed belief system that cannot be challenged.
    • Horton (1973) distinguishes between open and closed belief systems, with science being open and religion being closed.

    Witchcraft among the Azande

    • The Azande believe that misfortune is due to witchcraft, and they have a ritual to investigate.
    • The Azande regard witchcraft as a psychic power coming from the intestines, which allows the accused to apologize and promise no further bewitching.
    • Evans-Pritchard argues that this belief system performs useful social functions, such as preventing grudges and forcing neighbors to act accordingly.

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    Description

    This quiz explores feminist perspectives on religion, examining how patriarchal societies influence religious organisations, places of worship, sacred texts, and religious laws and customs.

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