interactionist perspective on religion

• Belief systems help us to make sense of things- in our daily lives
• They represent a mental map – chart us to chart a course for a journey though the social world
• This mental map= our personal universe of meaning
• Or in  Bergers phrase a cosmology-  religion helps us construct it makes life meaningful- provides rules and guide lines 

• Religion provides meaning to help people make sense of the world
• Marxists/Feminists religions support and legitimate existing social structures, religion is a conservative force- Weber accepted religion functioned to justify inequality

(Theodicy how to make sense of a benevolent god) Marx also argued it did not always function this way – religion can lead to social change – formation of a capitalist system

• Wanted to discover what it was like to be a Calvinist- how this linked to wider structural changes (e.g. why capitalism emerged in some countries but not others)   
•  Also believed that as societies advance individuals would cease to rely on religious meanings, rationalisation- religion replaced by science

The growth how ever has costs- reason and rational action replaces faith/ support that faith provides= a disenchantment of the world

Desacralisation will occur loss of sacred meanings form symbols and rituals  

Interested in religion and undertook a detailed study of a number of religions e.g. Confucianism in China and Hinduism

He was also interested in the origins of capitalism, capitalism developed in western Europe but not elsewhere WHY  

Capitalism required both the right economic conditions and the right values  

Needed resources a money economy, a legal system, relevant technology. Above all needed a set of values which emphasized pursuit of profit for its own sake

China had the right economic conditions/ did not have the right values for Weber the right values would be found in Western Europe especially amongst Calvinists  

Predestination- you future is already determined my God heaven or hell, lives mapped out

Asceticism- live a simple/frugal life

Vocation or calling- God has called people to undertake particular roles    

• Which came first Calvinism or capitalism: Eisentadt- capitalism occurred first in catholic Europe- Tawnely- society had already changed towards capitalism BEFOR Calvinism as Calvinism emerged it was adopted by the rising capitalist class provided a religious justification for a rational capitalism- all ready developed
• Other religions could of lead to capitalism:  Weber misunderstood religions like Hinduism/ failed to recognise they had many elements which could have been supportive of rational economic action, also accused of underestimating the capitalist sprit of the JEWS  

Interpreting Calvinism:  doubt has been cast on the attitude of Calvinists to the pursuit of profit and wealth- many preachers taught wealth was a great danger- unclear why God would view economic success as a major attribute and a sign of the elect- also unclear why Calvinists should reinvest their wealth and not give it to the poor

• People in modern societies no longer use religion to provide their universe of meaning- simalr to Webers view- the rise of reason logic and science gives individuals a different way to create a mental map
• Berger believes decline in religious beliefs can have profound effects e.g. Anomie and disenchantment of the world