SOCI 326 1st Edition Lecture 7Religion and Social Conflict"The society without conflict is a dead society. Hence the most peaceful place in the world, in terms of the absence of conflict, is a graveyard."Robert Lee, Religion & Social Conflict‐ Last time American Civil Religion Covenantal v. contractual relationships Covenantal: Commitment, sacrifice, deeply personal Contractual Utilitarian (means/ends); parties pursue self interest‐ Today's plan Types of religious conflict The case of american Evangelicals From Christian Smith's book: American Evangelicalism; Embattled & Thriving Types of Religious conflict Conflict between religious groups Conflict within a religious group Conflict between a religious group and the larger society Conflict between religious group and a nonreligious group or sector Religious conflict (definition) "…Groups or individuals acting against resistors, in an attempt either to preserve or to change religious beliefs, rituals or ways of being" Conflict contributes to within group cohesion Clarifies boundaries Solidifies IdentityIncreases social cohesion (within the group) Strengthens ideological solidarity and participation Augments resource mobilization Case study: American Evangelicals Christian Smith. 1998. American Evangelicals Asks people around the country to describe themselves and their religious view And then compares and contrasts them Evangelicals Most evangelicals Standards of moral behavior are absolute Universal (i.e. applicable to all) Unchanging End of the world is imminent with the return of Christ Born again Transdenominational movement (protestant) Involved individuals and organizations from a variety of different churches Key event: National Association of Evangelicals St. Louis in April 1942 Mobilizing resources: "Parachurch" agencies Moody Bible Institute, Christianity Today, Wheaton College Evangelical background 19th Century: Conservative (aka Fundamentalist) Protestantism Dwight L. Moody (founder) "de facto established religion in U.S." Controlled Major denominations Seminaries & Divinity Schools Very active abroad especially in Africa and Asia20th Century: decline of Conservative Protestant influence Fundamentalism Fundamentalism Separation from the world and "suspect" ChristiansFundamentalism and Evangelicalism By 1930s: from Christian Values to Behavioral Rules (dancing, smoking, etc) By the end of 1930s: Reclusive and Defensive Evangelicalism Counter movement within Fundamentalism‐ Strategy: Engaged Orthodoxy Promote Traditional, Orthodox Theology Engage the world (not withdraw) Smith, American Evangelical How are Evangelicals Embattled? Boundaries with Non Evangelical World‐ Evangelicalism thrives on differences, conflict, and stress Evangelicals see themselves as opposition of mainstream society Possessing the Ultimate Truth There is a fixed truth in the bible Only one's able to apply those truths to oneself and society Practical Moral Superiority They feel that those who have not been born again will suffer; frustration andultimately an immoral death They see themselves trying to obey standards set by god Lifestyle and Value Distinctiveness Embrace traditional values See the broader culture as abandoning them for narcissism Evangelicals embrace their