Webers Protestant Ethics - Essay Example

Religion and Society Religion and Society A Position in the Debate around Webers Protestant Ethic Thesis Weber’s Protestant Ethics thesis is one of the most influential sociological books that seeks to explain the relationship between religion and the economy. In the thesis, Weber examines capitalism as an economic system that has had a huge impact in economic models across Europe and around the world. The theory looks at the origins of Capitalism as being from the Calvinist Christian religion that was popular in Europe at the time that capitalism emerged (Johnstone, 2007). Weber identified various elements in capitalism that were based on Christian and in particular protestant ethics. This led to the conclusion that Protestantism in Europe helped to shape capitalism thereby having a profound effect on economic systems across Europe. I hold the opinion that religion and economy are closely linked and both have a major contribution in the society. Religion affects how people relate with each other and themselves, thereby having a huge impact on the views, opinions and beliefs of individuals with regard to other activities that they are engaged in within their societies. These opinions, worldviews and beliefs are then transferred in business where people exchange goods and services using recognized media of exchange. Religious values such as love, respect, trust hard work and other doctrines such as salvation, sin and predestination also shape how people view ownership, use and disposal of property (Johnstone, 2007). Religion encourages people to be diligent and take care of the surroundings in a way that pleases the Supreme Being, through hard work. Max Weber, realizing the influence of religion on individuals sought to analyze how such influence affected how individuals perceived the economy and business in general. In his theory, Max Weber attempts to elucidate the emergence of Europe and its uniqueness as a dominant economic force globally. Protestantism forms the core of his theory on the origins of capitalism as a major economic model. Capitalism emerged in the 17th century; concurrently with the Protestant reformation, that was taking place in Europe (Johnstone, 2007). During this time, religion was very important to most people and had a lot of influence in their actions and ways of thinking. According to Weber, capitalism began from religion and not from any technological developments that had started springing in the society at the time. Calvinist religions in Germany in particular were very fundamental in shaping the economic system in Germany and across Europe. Weber believed that the work ethic of protestant Christians was very instrumental in facilitating the unplanned and uncoordinated development of capitalism as a major economic model (Johnstone, 2007). Religious values have since then been very fundamental in promoting good business practices and encouraging competition which is a key component of capitalism. According to Weber, Capitalism is based on rational conventions that encourage private ownership of property, competition among investors, division of labor and maximization or resources. These conventions are also found in Christianity and are deep rooted among Protestants. Christians encourage people to maximize the resources at their disposal and work hard to multiply their resources in order to make more sacrifices to the Creator. Just like Christians grapple with hardships such as sin in order to attain salvation, so do capitalists who have to fight competition in order to multiply their wealth. How Social Class Shapes Religious Affiliation Religion is a very important social institution in the society. In the modern society, based on capitalism, the issues of social class have become a reality. Social stratification affects the way people relate with each other as well as affecting how people view each other in the same society. People interact on grounds of their common interests, social and economic needs (Radhakrishnan, 2007). Members of one social class always tend to relate well with each other because they have a lot in common in regards to their financial status and social needs. Members of the same social class are therefore likely to join similar social and economic groups where they can share views on how to promote their interests and those of other in the same class. This concept of social class has been transferred to religion in contemporary societies (Radhakrishnan, 2007). Certain religions and religious denominations often tend to attract individuals from particular social classes. In as much as religion is supposed to be a uniting factor in the society bring together people from all backgrounds; it is becoming apparent that certain religious groups are only meant for a select few. In an urbanized society such as the American society, social stratification is a reality and has tremendous influence on how people view religion. One’s social class greatly influences their religious affiliations. Individuals are likely to belong to particular religious denominations or groups only if such groups and denominations promote and protect their interests. There are several religions and religious groups today especially with the constitutional guarantee of freedom of worship (Radhakrishnan, 2007). Some religions and religious groups have however been confined to people from specific classes and backgrounds. Social class is therefore a major factor in religious stratification in the US, where different religious groups can be divided according to the classes of their members in the society (Johnstone, 2007). In the US, a majority of those in the lower social class end to belong to fundamentalist religious groups and sects or informal churches. The middle class in America tends to be associated with formal churches such as the Episcopalians, Catholics and Presbyterians. The upper class is probable to be Jewish or Episcopalians. One’s social class greatly affects how they interact with each other, share business and religious views among other things. Some churches or other religious groups may demand membership fees and require their members to live particular lifestyles in order to please the Most High Supreme Being. Such requirements may not resonate well with everybody in the society and only people. This may leave only a specific social class to belong to such religions. Religion is also important in providing hope; enforcing morality and helping people solve their day-to-day problems. Individuals from different social classes have different problems, needs and different opinions of morality. One’s social class may therefore affect how one determines the religious group to join in order to be comfortable in his or her relations with god and fellow members within the same religious group (Radhakrishnan, 2007). The Question of Womens Ordination The position of women in religion has been a major issue of contention since the 19th century. Traditionally, women have only played a minimal role in the decision making process in most religious groups while they are left to perform the majority of the work. The role of women in religion has influenced their view in the society in general thereby affecting the place of women in the society in general. As such, women have always been looked at as being subordinate to men in religion and in most spheres of life. The place of women in society is a major sociological issue today, especially in the wake of human rights and developments in feminist movements (Dennis, Gloria &‎ Friedrich, 2006). In most religions, women are left out of ministerial positions, which are only preserved for men. Most mainstream churches and religions have left women out of ordinations and priestly duties. The most astonishing fact however is that women comprise of the majority of members in most religious groups. This has led to most people to demand a respect for human rights, especially the rights of women in religion and in other social realms. From the 19th century, feminist movements have grown and achieved so much in terms of promoting the rights and interests of women in the society (Dennis, Gloria & ‎Friedrich, 2006). Therefore, the question of ordination of women has become essential in the debate on women’s rights both among religious groups and in feminist movements. This is because women have been undermined for a very long time in the history of religion. Whereas there have been substantial improvements in other sectors of the society with regard to respect and equality for women in leadership, politics, business and education, religion still lags behind (Dennis, Gloria & ‎Friedrich, 2006). Therefore, all efforts have been pushed towards ensuring there is equality in how leadership positions are shared out in religious groups. Women are demanding for more roles to play in religious groups, and therefore fighting for ordination. The ordination of women, if allowed in major mainstream religions, will go a long way in ensuring there is justice, respect and equality for both men and women in the society (Dennis, Gloria & ‎Friedrich, 2006). Religion is a very important social institution and most religious values are likely to be transferred to other areas of the life in the society. If women are respected in religion and allowed to participate in all positions in religion just like their male counterparts, this is likely to trickle down to other aspects of the society as well. This will help to promote recognition of women in leadership. The majority of people are not ready to accept to change their views on the equality of women because of their religious beliefs. Allowing women ordination will go a long way in changing these beliefs, thereby creating room for both feminist movements and religious groups to promote their agenda (Dennis, Gloria & ‎Friedrich, 2006). References Dennis B., ‎Gloria D., & ‎Friedrich S. (2006). Education, Religion and Society: Essays in Honour of John M. Hull Volume 9 of Routledge research in education. Taylor & Francis. Johnstone, R. L. (2007). Religion in society: A Sociology of religion, 8th Edition. Ball State University. Radhakrishnan, S. (2007). Religion and Society. Read Books. Read More