9699 · 11.2
Religion and social order flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9699 Religion and social order (syllabus 11.2). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
Card
Durkheim — collective conscience?
Shared moral beliefs binding society — reinforced by religious ritual.
Card
Malinowski — Trobriand Islanders?
Religion reduces anxiety at times of uncertainty (fishing, death).
Card
Marx on religion?
Opium of the people — eases suffering, discourages revolution.
Card
Lenin — spiritual gin?
Religion dulls class consciousness.
Card
Feminist critique?
El Saadawi — religion used to justify female subordination (interpretation not essence debate).
Card
Conservative force?
Supports existing power — but see 11.3 for change exceptions.
Card
What is meant by religion as a 'conservative force'?
It refers to the view that religion functions to maintain social stability, preserve the existing social order (status quo), and prevent radical social change by reinforcing established norms and values.
Card
Define 'collective conscience' in the context of Durkheim's theory of religion.
The shared set of beliefs, morals, attitudes, and knowledge that are common to a social group or society. Durkheim argued that religious rituals function to reinforce this, creating social solidarity.
Card
Explain Marx's concept of 'false consciousness'.
A state of mind where the subordinate class (proletariat) unknowingly accepts the ideology of the dominant class (bourgeoisie). Religion contributes to this by making them believe their exploitation is natural or divinely ordained.
Card
According to Marx, how is religion the 'opium of the people'?
It acts like a drug that dulls the pain of oppression by offering spiritual comfort and the promise of a future reward in the afterlife, thereby distracting the poor from their true, earthly misery and preventing them from revolting.
Card
Identify two ways feminists argue religion maintains patriarchy.
1. Male-dominated religious hierarchies exclude women from leadership. 2. Sacred texts and laws, interpreted by men, often restrict women's roles, sexuality, and rights, presenting subordination as natural or God's will.
Card
What is Talcott Parsons' view on religion's function?
Parsons argued religion provides a core value consensus for society and helps individuals make sense of unpredictable events and suffering, thus maintaining social stability.
Card
According to Simone de Beauvoir, how does religion maintain patriarchy?
She argued religion is used by men to control women. It provides women with a 'false consciousness' by compensating them for their secondary status with the promise of salvation, deceiving them into accepting their subordination.
Card
What is an example of religion legitimising social hierarchy, according to Marxists?
The traditional Hindu caste system, where one's social position was believed to be determined by actions in a past life and was seen as religiously ordained. This justified extreme inequality.