“Religion both encourages and inhibits social change” Discuss!

Shireen Prewett et. al

It is not the work of the Sociologist to define religion but to understand how religion as
an institution affects society. However, Durkheim in his work “The Elementary Forms of
Religious Life” defined religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred
things. Religion is indeed a cultural universal meaning that it is present in all most every society
in the world. As such, some thinkers have questioned whether religion is a force for social
change or whether it inhibits or hinders social change. Social change refers to any significant
alteration over time in behavior patterns and cultural values and norms that results in significant
consequences. While many factors can be put forward on both sides of the argument, it is
prudent to group these arguments under the relevant school of thought. This writer is of the
belief that religion both encourages and hinders social change depending on the lens through
which the situation is analysed; Functionalists and Feminists and Marxists have generally argued
that religion prevents social change while interactionist or social action theorist Max Weber have
argued that religion can be a force for social change.
Functionalist thinkers Durkheim, Malinowski and Parsons argued that religion prevents
social change by helping individuals and society cope with disruptive events that might threaten
the existing social order. Moreover, functionalist sees religion as a conservative force as it
reinforces value consensus, it strengthens social solidarity and maintains the status quo.
Durkheim argues that the function of religious ritual is to maintain social solidarity by affirming
the moral superiority of society over its individual members. Durkheim believed that social life
could only exist if values were shared and society integrated into a coherent whole. Religion is
an important aspect of this process, not only providing a set of unifying practices and beliefs, but
also by providing a way in which people can interpret and give meaning to the world. For
Durkheim the sacred are symbols for society, therefore in worshipping God, humans are really
worshipping society. In Trinidad and Tobago, many Christian churches such as Church of God
discourage members of being part of “worldly” events such as protesting government
incompetence and becoming part of an action group in their community. By doing this, these
persons reinforce the consensus of their faith and does not attempt to challenge the status quo. It
must be stated however, that the functionalist approach has been critiqued for downplaying the
dysfunctions of religion such as intolerance and discrimination.
Marx and Engels also believe that religion inhibits social change because it justifies the
dominance of the ruling class and provides consultation for the subject class. Marxist theory
starts from the belief that God is made by humans, originally used by earlier societies to explain
the world, and gradually becoming an aspect in the legitimation of the status quo. Religion
involves the distortion of 'reality', it is ideological. It provides the basis of ruling class ideology
and false consciousness. It is part of the ideological control. Religion acts as an opiate (a drug) in
that it does not solve any problems that people may have but merely dulls the pain, and therefore,
argued Marx, most religious movements originate in the oppressed classes. In Tobago like other
Caribbean territories religions such as Jehovah’s Witness, Pentecostals, Baptists among others,
make a virtue of suffering produced by oppression. The hope of supernatural intervention and
expectation of the future makes the present bearable, moreover they don't have to get off their
backsides and change things because God will do it for them. For example, songs like “All things
bright and beautiful”, and scriptures like “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the
kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you
who weep now, for you will laugh” are common among preachers in Trinidad and Tobago and
justifies oppression. Thus, religion therefore discourages people from attempting change, and
consequently the dominant groups can retain their power. Religion is used by the ruling class to
justify their position. Marxist theory, nonetheless have been critiqued for not seeing the benefits
of religion and that it can trigger change. Furthermore, feminist see religion as a conservative
force, feminist have seen it as maintaining patriarchy the male domination of women) for
example; Popes have always been known as men and not women. Feminism sees religion as it
creates conflict and division through its patriarchal ideology. Feminism claim that religious
institutions often exclude women from full membership by reference to particular interpretations
of religious text. It is also seen that rituals often exclude women from full environment.
Evidence to support feminism view on religion is that the Christian god ‘our father’ has
traditionally seen as male, it is also known as Eve was created as a helpmate for Adam. Until
recently women could not become clergy in Christian churches. This changed in 1992 in the
Church of England. However, women are still barred from becoming religious professionals in
the Roman Catholic church.
Contrary to the aforementioned discussions, Max Weber in his ‘Protestant Ethic and
Spirit of Capitalism‘ argued that religion can be a force for social change. Max Weber looks into
the possible relationship between the rise in Calvinism and the growth of capitalism. He says that
the rules laid down by Calvinism says that a man must have a calling in life, such as well-defined
career which he follows a single-minded, determined manner. Followers of Calvinism were not
allowed to spend their earning on luxury items as it was against their beliefs of religion, they
believed that they should work in the favour of God this meant they would invest in their money
which means profit would be made which would make them richer than poorer, this would lead
to a more equal economic balance within society. Weber concluded that the new protestant
religion was a vital element in the development of capitalist economies. In the Caribbean religion
and religious ideas have led to social change. Religion, particularly Christianity was used to
justify the subjugation of the indigenous people, and the trade and enslavement of African
people. Also, religion among the Quakers in Britain was used to rationalize the dismantling of
the slave system. Religion, particularly, vodun was used by slaves in Haiti to channel their
energies at resisting, which led to Haiti become the first black independent state in the Western
Hemisphere in 1804. In Trinidad and Tobago, the 1990 coup staged by the Jammat al Muslimeen
also had religious undercurrents. As such, it would be inaccurate to suggest that religion does not
encourage significant social transformation.
In weighing the arguments, it can be seen how religion maintains the status quo and even
serves as an instrument of exploitation. On the other hand, there is evidence that within the
Caribbean religion has been used as a force for social change and challenged social stability.
Overall, there is no conclusion on the relationship between religion and social change. Religion
both encourages and inhibits social change depending on which view you look at it