The view that religion is a conservative force stems from theories from Functionalists, Marxists and Feminists. Each see religion as keeping society in its current form, despite the theories coming to the same conclusion the reasons differ. For Durkheim religion acts as a vital organ in society and keeps society alive by maintaining social solidarity. Functionalists believe that religion creates a shared value consensus and acts as a social glue helping unite individuals as well as helping them cope with stress. In comparison to this view Marxists see society as promoting the interests of the ruling class and legitimating suffering and therefore preventing social change.
On those premise it is asserted that religion play an important part in nurturing the virtue needed for a free society. Matthew Spaulding’s Meaning of religion and Liberty, asserts this about religion and morality: “They aid good government by teaching men their moral obligations and creating the condition for decent politics” (p313.2008). While not everyone morality depends on religion, I do believe and support argument that religion is necessary to morality. The religious principles speak to morality and morality aid virtue. Outside of the realm of government if we look at our society today many of our moral have changed.
However this may cause tension between their status and religion as Hinduism, as most religions, promote living life simple and free of worldly desires. In order to resolve this extravagant rituals and modern gurus who the middles class can turn to legitimises their lifestyle and status’ allowing them to adjust to the globalised consumer capitalism. Marxist however would take a negative view on the relationship between globalisation and religion in India. They see religion as another institution which maintains capitalist society and legitimises the poor treatment of the working class. For example in Hinduism there is a caste system which categorises individuals into one of five groups, the lowest of the five named ‘the untouchables’ who are extremely poor and
Mill would say that if God is omniscient then surely he is aware of our suffering and would therefore intervene in the evil as he loves us all. Yet God still allows our suffering to continue which suggests that God is not powerful (omnipotent) at all and cannot stop us or save us from this evil. Mill also believes that the natural disasters and natural problems within the human body such as curable or incurable cancers and diseases such as motor-neurone disease (causes of the body to shut down slowly) for example show faults in the design. These disaster show poor design but how can an all knowing
It was also noted that religion should remain separate from government issues to avoid decisions being compromised based on the religion someone practices. Without this separation issues would continue to increase without being resolved. Many benefits came from the separation of State and Religion including; stability of political involvement, minimizing religious warfare, and the right to religious freedom. With this we can say separation between the State and Religion has benefited the nation in many ways. Separation of State and Religion help maintain the stability of political involvement.
Radicals believe that capitalist profit from consumers, who are being exploited. In relation to the bill, radicals would say it’s the capitalist who are destroying the environment and disregarding human presence all in the name of profits. Radicals would approve of the bill as it would put an end to exploitation. But it does not completely comply with their views. A radical solution doe not exist in a capitalist society, but can only work if capitalism no longer existed.
August 7, 2011 JUS 110- Crime and Criminology Critical Feminist Theory VS Grauwiler and Mills A critical feminist views gender inequality as stemming from unequal power of men and women in a capitalist society, which leads to the exploitation of women by fathers and husbands. Under this system women are considered a commodity worth possessing like land or money. (Siegel 2010) In knowing this view we know that men feel that they have power over women since they are generally stronger they take advantage of this and try to control the women in their lives. Many times the control that they have over women is abusive. It is a known cultural difference that men usually dominate the world.
Martin takes an interesting marxist perspective on the role of religion for the working class, he argues that mainstream Christianity is unpopular due to its marxist politics that religion is used to pacify the working class. Davie, who agrees with Martin, takes the argument further, she argues that the middle classes either take part in religious services and actively practise belief or they don't have anything to do with religion at all. If they do believe however they tend to travel to a church that suits their needs and not just go to their local church like the working classes tend to do, she further argues that the working classes show belief and are members of a church but don't actively practise, for example, only attending church services for weddings, baptisms and funerals. Outside of mainstream Christianity class still has an influence over how religious society is, usefully Bruce argues that Islamic fundamentalism arises from the new socially able who have experienced a rise from poverty, they remember,
Religion is a set practice of beliefs in a moral code and rituals, often including some sort of salvation or enlightenment from doing such, and a belief in certain myths. As well as practicing a certain belief, religion is often equated with a belief in God. This is true in most aspects and for most religions, but a few Eastern religions do not believe there is a God per say, but more of an energy or flow that almost "controls" the universe. Science stems from the latin root "scientiae" which meant "knowledge". Science is the practical observation and theorized belief in what can be seen, felt, heard, smelt, and tasted.
Religion for a functionalist would be viewed as more of a reinforcement for the values that society holds. One thing almost all religions have in common is the lesson of being “good”, to treat others how you would want to be treated. It also gives people something to turn to when they feel lost, or something to blame when life is not going the way the would like. Religion holds people together in many ways, offering stability to society. Religion does, however hold both manifest and latent functions.