Religion and development
Globalisation - correct answer-Has caused rapid economic growth and as a result, countries
such as India are now playing a more important role. It has also increased prosperity in
places such as India, developing a new middle class.
Hinduism and consumerism - correct answer-Globalisation has developed a prosperous,
educated, urban middle class in India. Despite this, Nanda observes that a vast majority of
this new class still believe in the supernatural.
What did the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (2007) find? - correct answer-That
Indians are becoming more religious.
How many said their religiosity had declined within the last five years? - correct answer-5%
How many said their religiosity had increased within the last five years? - correct
answer-30%
What did the survey also find? - correct answer-That Indians of the urban middle class were
more religious than their rural and illiterate counterparts.
How does Nanda explain this? - correct answer-It is seen as 'fashionable' to be religious.
More people are becoming 'religious tourists', visiting places such as shrines etc.
The urban middle class' ambivalence of their new wealth causes them to become more
religious.
According to Nanda, where does this ambivalence originate from? - correct answer-The
Hindu belief that we should reject materalism and worldly desires clashes with the new
middle class' prosperity and wealth. They turn to modern holy men and tele-gurus, who
preach that it's not wrong to have desires. They also use 'business friendly' versions of
Hinduism by believing that middle class consumerism can be 'spiritually balanced'.
Modern Hinduism allows the middle classes to adjust to globalised consumer capitalism
whilst maintaining their religiosity.
What is Hindu 'ultra-nationalism'? - correct answer-Nanda states that the increasing
globalisation of India increases the idea that 'Hindu values' are superior. The worship of
Hindu gods has become the worship of India and thus, India has developed a civil religion.
What has Hinduism also affected? - correct answer-Public life. For example, astrology is
considered a science in India and can be taught in universities etc.
The Ministry of Defence is investing in weapons that supposedly have 'magical powers'.
What did the Pew Global Attitude Survey find? - correct answer-That 93% of Indians agreed
with the statement, "Our people are not perfect, but our culture is superior to others".
Globalisation - correct answer-Has caused rapid economic growth and as a result, countries
such as India are now playing a more important role. It has also increased prosperity in
places such as India, developing a new middle class.
Hinduism and consumerism - correct answer-Globalisation has developed a prosperous,
educated, urban middle class in India. Despite this, Nanda observes that a vast majority of
this new class still believe in the supernatural.
What did the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (2007) find? - correct answer-That
Indians are becoming more religious.
How many said their religiosity had declined within the last five years? - correct answer-5%
How many said their religiosity had increased within the last five years? - correct
answer-30%
What did the survey also find? - correct answer-That Indians of the urban middle class were
more religious than their rural and illiterate counterparts.
How does Nanda explain this? - correct answer-It is seen as 'fashionable' to be religious.
More people are becoming 'religious tourists', visiting places such as shrines etc.
The urban middle class' ambivalence of their new wealth causes them to become more
religious.
According to Nanda, where does this ambivalence originate from? - correct answer-The
Hindu belief that we should reject materalism and worldly desires clashes with the new
middle class' prosperity and wealth. They turn to modern holy men and tele-gurus, who
preach that it's not wrong to have desires. They also use 'business friendly' versions of
Hinduism by believing that middle class consumerism can be 'spiritually balanced'.
Modern Hinduism allows the middle classes to adjust to globalised consumer capitalism
whilst maintaining their religiosity.
What is Hindu 'ultra-nationalism'? - correct answer-Nanda states that the increasing
globalisation of India increases the idea that 'Hindu values' are superior. The worship of
Hindu gods has become the worship of India and thus, India has developed a civil religion.
What has Hinduism also affected? - correct answer-Public life. For example, astrology is
considered a science in India and can be taught in universities etc.
The Ministry of Defence is investing in weapons that supposedly have 'magical powers'.
What did the Pew Global Attitude Survey find? - correct answer-That 93% of Indians agreed
with the statement, "Our people are not perfect, but our culture is superior to others".
