Assess the view that religion was once mainly a conservative force but today is more of a force for social change.

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Assess the view that religion was once mainly a conservative force but today is more of a force for social change.

In the past religion’s role as a conservative force was clearly shown by Kings and Queens ruling my divine right in medieval Europe, the Indian caste system and Egyptian pharaohs who were considered both God and King. Feminists and Marxists agree that religion is a conditioning device which oppresses the people, diluting the demand for social change in order to protect the interests of men and the ruling classes respectively. This is partially supported by Functionalist theorists such as Durkheim, who expressed the belief that religion provides social cement, reinforcing traditional beliefs chosen by a religious moral code such as the 10 Commandments for Christianity, for the good of society. However, there are numerous examples of where religion has acted as a force for change, such as the 9/11 bombing, the war in Ghaza and the wars in the former Yugoslavia, and, more positively, the actions of religious leaders such as Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Oscar Romero. In modern times, religion has acted as both a conservative force and a force for social change, as shown by Islamic Fundamentalist movements in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan and Christian Fundamentalist Reverend Criswell’s actions, such as re-introducing the teaching of creationism, in the US.

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Traditional Marxists believe that religion, described as ‘the opium of the people’ and ‘spiritual gin’ by Marx and Lenin, dilutes the demand for social change as it makes life seem more bearable, such as by promising rewards after death for their suffering. It also promotes false consciousness in the Proletariat as it convinces them that there is no alternative and that they should accept the status quo and not challenge the Bourgeoisie’s authority. One significant example of this is how the slaves in America were encouraged to adopt Christianity as it made them easier to control. Religion also justifies ...

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