SCLY3 Beliefs in Society June 2012 Thread

Does anyone have any contemporary examples of conflicts or something that can be mentioned in the exam? Nothing in the textbook is particularly modern! It'd be greatly appreciated

Middle East Conflict - the idea that its religion is a force for conflict.

For feminist issues you could talk about recent partitions within mosques , which subordinates women and creates them to be seen as 'pollutants' and not pure.
- recent documentary on it.

Religious tensions between extremists muslims and the christians , left many churchs to be burned within egypt and i think around 200 were dead. You could state it was cultural defence in the muslims view.

Secularisation: Woodhead and Heelas (2000) claimed that there are two types of theory relating to secularisation: differentiation and disappearance.

Bruce claims that secularisation is active in society, leading to his claim that religion has moved from the public to the private sphere. HOWEVER this can be challenged: this appears to be euro-centric, look at public displays of religion in USA. however this could well only be civil (Bellah, neo-functionalist)

Wilson claims that secularisation is the process whereby religious institutions lose power and influence over society. (i think...might wanna revise this bit)

Comte also claimed in the late 19th century that society goes through 3 stages: theological, metaphysical and positive. Link this to secularisation however argue cannot be applied on a universal scale etc.

Does anyone have any contemporary examples of conflicts or something that can be mentioned in the exam? Nothing in the textbook is particularly modern! It'd be greatly appreciated

N Ireland, Ivory Coast and Syria

I know that the conflict in N Ireland is between Catholics and Protestants, but what exactly is the conflict in Syria about? I don't really understand what's going on :L thanks for any help.

Syria is to do with the uprising forcing the president Assad to resign. However i think you could relate it to religion because he is from a sect of islam (not sure what it is called) however i think because hes from the community he may give goverment positions or key position to the people from his community.
This is leading to a sectarian civil war.

This is also relative within Iraq , its known that the difference between the Shi'a and Sunni Muslims has caused civil wars in the past.

I need help with a past question please...
Assess the view that for minority ethnic groups the practice of religion and membership of religious groups is mainly a form of cultural defence. What kind of points would be for and against?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Sorry, how does Comte saying that stuff about the metaphysical etc link to secularisation exactly?

Well, the positive stage is characterised by the introduction of science and rational thought, and if it is to be believed that we are currently in this stage, then it can be linked to secularisation theories. So, basically, it links to Weber claiming that society would soon be subject to rational thought, leaving religion to erode as an institution.

Points for cultural defence
- Give an example of cultural defence for example in Iran - From the pro western regime to enforcing the islamic laws.
- In hostile enviroments like for example around the civil rights movement the church and religion was a vital form of cultural defence in order to cope with racism.- Bruce
-I think you could mention fundamentalism as a form of a resistant identity ( a defensive reaction when threatened and retreat into fundementalism) - Castell

Points against cultural defence

- Many ethnic individuals join religion because they are poor and oppressed so they may join for support and solidarity within a community
-Many ethnic individuals join religion for cultural transition
-Many ethnic miniorities join religion for their greater good for example in Hindism many individuals believe that religion has benefited their lifestyles and position within society.

btw this one of my forms of revision, so ignore any long ramblings