Religion and Social Order

Evaluate the view that 'Religion serves to maintain the existing social order.'

• Religion serves to maintain the existing social order by promoting social cohesion and stability.

• Religion challenges the existing social order by encouraging social change and reform.

• Religion has no impact on the existing social order.

• Religion serves to maintain the existing social order by promoting inequality and oppression.

Functionalism views the role of religion in maintaining social order as:

• a means to promote social cohesion and stability

• a tool for social control and oppression

• an irrelevant aspect of modern society

• a source of conflict and division

According to Marxism, religion affects the working class in relation to the capitalist system by:

• Providing spiritual comfort and hope, distracting them from their exploitation.

• Encouraging them to revolt against the capitalist system.

• Having no effect on their perception of capitalism.

• Strengthening their ties to the capitalist system.

Wealthy benefactors play a role in the relationship between religion and social order by:

• Funding religious institutions and activities

• Undermining religious authority

• Promoting secularism

• Disrupting social harmony

How are established religions tied to powerful institutions, and how does this support the status quo?

• Established religions are tied to powerful institutions through shared interests and mutual support, which helps maintain the status quo by reinforcing existing power structures.

• Established religions are tied to powerful institutions through financial dependencies, which helps maintain the status quo by creating economic stability.

• Established religions are tied to powerful institutions through cultural exchanges, which helps maintain the status quo by promoting diversity.

• Established religions are tied to powerful institutions through educational initiatives, which helps maintain the status quo by fostering innovation.

Religious beliefs and practices encourage conformity to existing social norms in which of the following ways?

• By promoting shared values and morals

• By encouraging individualism

• By discouraging community involvement

• By fostering rebellion against authority

Provide a historical example of how religious groups have supported conservative values.

• The role of the Catholic Church in opposing communism in Poland during the Cold War

• The involvement of religious groups in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States

• The support of the Anglican Church for the abolition of slavery in the 19th century

• The participation of Buddhist monks in the Vietnam War protests

Religion can act as a force for change by opposing poverty and exploitation. Which of the following best explains this role?

• Religion provides moral guidance that encourages social justice and equality.

• Religion focuses solely on spiritual matters, ignoring social issues.

• Religion supports the status quo and discourages change.

• Religion is primarily concerned with rituals and traditions.

Religious movements, like non-conformist Christian groups, played a role in driving social change in the 20th century by:

• promoting traditional values and resisting change

• supporting political and social reforms

• isolating themselves from mainstream society

• focusing solely on spiritual matters

Liberation Theology was used in Latin America to support social change by:

• Promoting armed revolution

• Encouraging passive resistance

• Aligning with political movements for social justice

• Focusing solely on spiritual salvation