Asses the View That Religion Inhibits Social Change

Assess The View That Religion Inhibits Social Change (33)

Functionalists would argue that religion inhibits social change by promoting value consensus, social solidarity and collective conscience. Through shared rituals, members of society are integrated into a community; understanding their norms and values therefore selfish desire’s aren’t pursued, meaning social change doesn’t occur. Marxists would argue that religion inhibits social change by performing the ideological function of keeping the working class in their subordinate position. The idea of their suffering being virtuous and rewarded in the afterlife, keeps the working class from rebelling and creating a counter hegemony. Additionally, feminists would argue that it inhibits social change by perpetuating inequalities within society, therefore the traditional gender roles are maintained, thus preventing social change. However, in specific examples, other sociologists would argue otherwise.

One argument for religion inhibiting social change is the view that religion acts as a conservative force. This is the concept that religion upholds traditional beliefs, customs, institutions, morals and roles. For example, the Catholic church bans abortion, contraception, divorce and gay marriage. This inhibits social change as the conservative ideas are valued and any opportunities that provide individuals with greater freedom are opposed, as they would undermine religions norms and values. Additionally, religion inhibits social change by favouring the patriarchal division of labour; whereby men perform the instrumental role through work, and women perform the expressive role through childcare and housework. This inhibits social change as women maintain economically dependent on their husband, and maintains traditional gender roles. This is reflected in the Church of England’s wedding vows, where the female had to “love, honour and obey” her husband. This has since changed since 1966, and liberal feminists...