4. Religion as a Conservative Force

• What do feminists think about religion's conservative function?

  -Focus on its role in conserving gender inequalities.

  -Many religious traditions uphold patriarchal norms & reinforce subordination of women
• What do marxists think about religion's conservative function?

  -Social control & a conservation of the prevailing economic & power structures.

  -Functions to pacify WC, diverting their attention away from economic inequalities
• What do functionalists think about religion's conservative function?

  Religion provides a sense of shared values, norms & a moral framework conserving social cohesion & stability
• What are examples of traditional beliefs?

  Heteronormativity

  Celebrations

  Abstinence

  Sunday=day of rest

  Diet

  Family comes first

  Adultery is sinful
• How is religion a conservative force?

  Religion resists rapid social change & serves as a stabilising influence

  Holds traditional beliefs & customs in place
• How did using religious references make MLK's speech more successful?

  Appeals to the masses

  More believable & palatable

  Builds on authority of God
• What is the context of MLK Jr's reference?

  -A reference of Jesus' prayer where he prays to be spared from suffering

  -Suggests the importance of nonviolence & love in the pursuit of justice
• How does religion shape social awareness? (historically & now)

  -Historically, public address was used to shared news & information with a town

  -Many religious leaders are skilled public speakers & religious people can learn about social issues