A-Level Sociology:
Beliefs in Society -
20/20 mark essays
●Religious Fundamentalism 20/20
●Religion as a force for social change 20/20
, Item A
Religious fundamentalists seek to return to what they regard as the basics of their faith.
Fundamentalists believe unquestioningly in the literal truth of their faith’s sacred text. They are
intolerant of the views of others, believing that their view of the world is the only true one. The
growth of fundamentalism is often seen as a response to the threat posed by modern society,
which challenges and undermines the values and certainties offered by traditional religion.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the view that fundamentalism is a
response to modern society [20 marks]
Fundamentalism is not the same thing as traditional religion; it involves reverting to the “basics
of the faith” (Item A), where religious texts are seen as unquestionable truths that should direct
the way we live our life, even in the modern day. Importantly, it involves an ‘us and them’
mentality, where fundamentalists separate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to
compromise with it. Modern society has brought great social change, including globalisation,
more liberal views of the family, and risk and uncertainty as social values rapidly evolve.
Fundamentalism can be seen as a response to such changes, but we can question if it may lay
in other sources such as postmodern society, or be born from specific types of religion.
On the one hand, some sociologists argue that fundamentalism is a response to modern
society. Davie argues that fundamentalism occurs where those who hold traditional orthodox
beliefs and values are threatened by modernity and feel the need to defend themselves against
it. For example, modernity has brought more liberal values towards the family, such as the
legalisation of same-sex marriage in many countries; if this appears to contravene religious
doctrine, some religious people may revert to fundamentalsim as a way of protecting
themselves against this unwelcome social change, that they often view as being forced upon
them by a secular state.
Furthermore, Giddens argues that in today’s ‘late modern’ globalised society, where countries
have become more interconnected and there is greater flow of people and information across
borders, individuals are constantly faced with choice, uncertainty and risk where they were not
before. Consequently, fundamentalism is attractive because its rigid, dogmatic beliefs and
complete faith in sacred texts provides unique certainty, a guide to living your life in an uncertain
world. But not everyone reverts to fundamentalism when faced with social change; Giddens
identified that some people pursue ‘cosmopolitanism’ instead, which is tolerant of others and
characterised by reflexive thinking, where beliefs are modified based on new information.
Therefore, we can see how fundamentalism may be born out of the change and uncertainty that
modern society brings. However, Haynes argument that Islamic fundamentalism is not totally a
response to globalisation can help us evaluate this view; he argues that in the Middle East,
conflicts caused by the failure of local elites to deliver on their promises to improve the standard
of living are often the fuel that drives fundamentalism, so we shouldn’t focus on globalisation
as a cause so narrowly.
Beliefs in Society -
20/20 mark essays
●Religious Fundamentalism 20/20
●Religion as a force for social change 20/20
, Item A
Religious fundamentalists seek to return to what they regard as the basics of their faith.
Fundamentalists believe unquestioningly in the literal truth of their faith’s sacred text. They are
intolerant of the views of others, believing that their view of the world is the only true one. The
growth of fundamentalism is often seen as a response to the threat posed by modern society,
which challenges and undermines the values and certainties offered by traditional religion.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the view that fundamentalism is a
response to modern society [20 marks]
Fundamentalism is not the same thing as traditional religion; it involves reverting to the “basics
of the faith” (Item A), where religious texts are seen as unquestionable truths that should direct
the way we live our life, even in the modern day. Importantly, it involves an ‘us and them’
mentality, where fundamentalists separate themselves from the rest of the world and refuse to
compromise with it. Modern society has brought great social change, including globalisation,
more liberal views of the family, and risk and uncertainty as social values rapidly evolve.
Fundamentalism can be seen as a response to such changes, but we can question if it may lay
in other sources such as postmodern society, or be born from specific types of religion.
On the one hand, some sociologists argue that fundamentalism is a response to modern
society. Davie argues that fundamentalism occurs where those who hold traditional orthodox
beliefs and values are threatened by modernity and feel the need to defend themselves against
it. For example, modernity has brought more liberal values towards the family, such as the
legalisation of same-sex marriage in many countries; if this appears to contravene religious
doctrine, some religious people may revert to fundamentalsim as a way of protecting
themselves against this unwelcome social change, that they often view as being forced upon
them by a secular state.
Furthermore, Giddens argues that in today’s ‘late modern’ globalised society, where countries
have become more interconnected and there is greater flow of people and information across
borders, individuals are constantly faced with choice, uncertainty and risk where they were not
before. Consequently, fundamentalism is attractive because its rigid, dogmatic beliefs and
complete faith in sacred texts provides unique certainty, a guide to living your life in an uncertain
world. But not everyone reverts to fundamentalism when faced with social change; Giddens
identified that some people pursue ‘cosmopolitanism’ instead, which is tolerant of others and
characterised by reflexive thinking, where beliefs are modified based on new information.
Therefore, we can see how fundamentalism may be born out of the change and uncertainty that
modern society brings. However, Haynes argument that Islamic fundamentalism is not totally a
response to globalisation can help us evaluate this view; he argues that in the Middle East,
conflicts caused by the failure of local elites to deliver on their promises to improve the standard
of living are often the fuel that drives fundamentalism, so we shouldn’t focus on globalisation
as a cause so narrowly.
