3 features of fundamentalism Reject religious pluralism us & them Maximum use of modern technology in order to spread the word

ord Followers find a personal experience with god eg born again Christians

Religion for a force of social change Thompson & Maguire argue that there are a number of factors that determine whether a religion promotes social change or not CULTURE religion is central to culture in India Gandhi used a Hindu concept to attack Britain BELIEFS religion that promotes strong moral codes MLK front of black racism- beliefs promoted caused change. Nelson Mandela South African Apartheid influenced by Christianity. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS religions with strong centralised sources of authority have more chance of affecting change. Roman Catholic church helped collapse communism in Poland may work in opposite effect as it may cause restraints SOCIAL LOCATIONS as it influences political and economical life. Islamic revolution led by Iranian fundamentalists to overthrow the Shah. TYPES OF LEADERS social change factors according to WEBER charismatic, traditional, legal rational- Aldridge points out that may not cause such a large change as charismatic leaders may die outtemporal. NEO-MARX- see religion as illiberal force (restricts freedom) with outcomes like Arab spring ENGLES conflict theorists religion causes revolutionary force as sometimes is that last option to cause change. Jesus encouraged religious social change CRITIQUE functionalist see religion as something that keeps society and stable not to cause change. WEBER believed religion is a force for social change how religious ideas can influence Can create capitalists work ethic Religious ideas from Calvinists brought about change Calvinist predestination, ASCETIC IDEAL created an ethic of disciplined hard work (work hard reward in afterlife) indirectly brought about social change. RADICAL influences dont necessarily bring about change twin towers just unite societies further not necessarily by religion. Liberation theory

Secularisation Wilson provides classic definition: the process whereby religious thinking loses social significance - how do you operationalise religious thinking? Social significance? Martin suggest the word secularisation be removed from the dictionary. Pew project 2002 33% said religion is very important to them personally. Common indicator of secularisation occurring in the UK Sunday attendances have halved from the 1967 to 2006 Britain multicultural society the main religion of Britain may be in decline but others like Islam growing rapidly. FOR SECULARISATION Church attendance and membership many members of tradition and mainstream religions in decline as people are turning to NRM +nonChristian practises Age bias worshippers of the same age, fewer and fewer young people joining so they could eventually die out altogether. Reduced moral influence- DAVIE 21st century is no longer being guided by the kinds of collective morals codes like in the past which was promoted by churches, Sunday schools. points out since the 20th century turning point of individualism. Societys increase of acceptance of homosexuality, abortion, divorce, that many organisations disagree with. Funerals have declined whereas celebrations of life has increased. AGAINST SECULARISATION Growth of immigrant populations causing increase in religiosity, Islam fastest growing.

DAVIE BELIEVING WITHOUT BELONGING People may

admit to private religious beliefs but are less inclined to join services etc. DAY - Religion uses public marker of identity VICARIOUS RELIGION- Davie compares Britain to other European saying religion has never been practised overtly like in Scandinavia. Overtly is usually only done by the minority of believers Interruption to normality people living busy lifestyles whos not to say it happens no more or no less. Trading laws relaxed Sundays may not be suitable for working people so worship may be done behind closed doors. Hamilton age of faith is just an illusion the past was no more or no less religious. Went unrecorded in the past

Nelson argues rapid growths of NRMs religious society is undergoing restoration - temporal decline of r4eligion as it became too predictable and unappeasable to contemporary society which NRMs have to offer.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Possible decline in organisations in westernised industrialise Countries globally religion is more overwhelming & dominant than ever Berger suggests globally there is religious revival going on Christianity in USA, Jews Israel, Muslims everywhere. POST MODERNIST SEE RELIGION AS CHANGING ITS MEANING INTO BECOMING A HOLISTIC MELEU HEELAS ET AL (RANGE OF ACTIVITIES INVOLVING THE MIND, BODY, SPIRIT SUCH AS YOGA REJECTION OF SCIENCE