1. The document outlines key concepts relating to theories of religion, ideology, and science. It discusses Marx's view of ruling class ideology and false class consciousness. 2. It also discusses Durkheim's ideas about the functions of religion in providing social order, value consensus, and social solidarity. 3. Additionally, the document examines views on science as a belief system, including how it was traditionally seen as objective but is now viewed by some as socially constructed and lacking objectivity in postmodern society.

1. A2 RELIGION REVISION
A2 AQA RELIGION REVISION: Theories, Ideology,
Science & Exam Practice

2. LESSON OBJECTIVES
 Key concepts of the different theories
 Outline of science as an open and closed belief system
 Outline of ideology as a closed belief system
 Application to exam questions

3. Ruling class ideology
False class consciousness
Legitimation of inequality
Oppression
Ruling class
Subject class
Superstructure
Mechanism of social control
Neo-Marxism
Relative autonomy of religion
Liberation theology

4. Sacred
Profane
Totemism
Exogamy
Churingas
Collective conscience
Collective worship
Crises of life
Socially destructive
Ritual
Social order
Value consensus
Social solidarity
Social cohesion
Meaning

5. Science
Socially constructed
Theories
Enlightenment
Reason
Betterment of humankind
Observation and measurement
Falsification
Fabricated evidence
Paradigms
Paradigm shift
Risk
Metanarratives

6. Ideolog
y as a
belief
system.
1. According to
Popper, ideology is a
closed system of
thought which rejects
alternative views.
3. Gramsci argues that beliefs and ideas
can change society – they are not simply
a reflection of the infrastructure. He
claims that the working class have a
dual consciousness which allows them a
limited view through the smokescreen
of ruling class ideology.
4. Some feminists claim that
patriarchal ideology justifies
and maintains male
dominance and makes it
appear normal and natural.
5. Political ideologies are
sets of beliefs which
guide political action
and seek the shape
public policy.
7. Conservatism
emphasises
tradition, a
strong state and
the family as
the cornerstone
of society.
6. Liberalism
emphasises
individual freedom,
equality of
opportunity and
government by
consent.
8. Socialism emphasises
collectivism, equality and co-
operation.
2. According to Marx, ruling
class ideology: distorts
reality; produces a false
consciousness; justifies
inequality; supports the
position of the ruling class
and reflects the economic
relationships in the
infrastructure.

7. Jean-Francois Lyotard – science in postmodern society.
According to the French writer Lyotard (1984), people in postmodern society have lost
faith in the metanarratives of modern society. A metanarrative is a ‘big story’ like the
Enlightenment view of progress, Christianity’s view of life and Marx’s view of history.
In postmodern society, metanarratives no longer inspire, they no longer direct action, they no longer
form the basis for beliefs. Science is a metanarrative – a big story about the origin of the universe,
behaviour in the natural world, and the evolution of species.
Lyotard believes there is widespread disillusionment with science in postmodern society. Science has
failed to deliver on the Enlightenment promise of progress. (It’s just rooting out more depravity –
internet…?). People no longer trust scientists and have lost faith in the grand claims of science.
Rather than being concerned with human betterment, science is becoming the servant of industry and
commerce. Scientists are increasingly concerned with technology, focusing their attention of
producing goods for sale. This can be seen from the rapid advances in electronic goods. From this
point of view, science is becoming technoscience, concerned with producing commodities for the
global marketplace (Irwin and Michael, 2003).
Q2. What does Kuhn mean by a paradigm, and how is it important in the theory of science? [18
marks]
Q3. To what extent can religion and science be seen as different varieties of belief system? [33 marks]
AO1 Knowledge &
Understanding 6/18
AO2 Interpretation, Application,
Analysis & Evaluation 12/18
AO1 Knowledge &
Understanding 15/33
AO2 Interpretation &
Application, 9/18
AO2 Analysis & Evaluation 9/18
Q1. Using the item above, identify and explain why science as a metanarrative is under threat. [9
marks]
AO1 Knowledge &
Understanding 3/9
AO2 Interpretation, Application,
Analysis & Evaluation 6/9
* Good sociological knowledge & understanding.
* Full, detailed and accurate evidence / studies to support
claims. * Range of theoretical perspectives.
* Relevant concepts explored, understood & used correctly.
* The introduction fully breaks down the question.
* A range of relevant and appropriate studies / evidence.
* Do you explain how the evidence you use supports or rejects
the points you’re trying to make?
* A balanced evaluation that points out both strengths and
weaknesses of the evidence you use.
* A discussion that creates an argument through a series of
separate points.
* Good sociological knowledge & understanding.
* Relevant concepts explored, understood & used correctly.
* Do you select appropriate points with which to answer the
question?
* Is your discussion detailed & focused on the question?
* Good sociological knowledge & understanding.
* Full, detailed and accurate evidence / issues to support claims.
* Relevant concepts explored, understood & used correctly.
* Accurate and sociological interpretation of the question.
* Do you make use of appropriate & relevant material?
* A balanced evaluation that pulls out both strengths and
weaknesses of the material you use.
* Clear rationale, followed by appropriate deductions you’ve
made.
3

8. AO2 is pretty hard, there’s no doubt about it. But it’s not beyond you. Here are a few
pointers to help you on your way.
* Use the following trigger words to get you thinking critically:
Therefor
e
On the
other
hand…
This will
lead to…
The
disadvantages
/ advantages
of this are…
Skill How to show it
Knowledge
Understandin
g
Am I showing the examiner that I
have sociological knowledge?
Am I explaining all the concepts
I’m using?
Interpretation
Application
Analysis
Evaluation
Am I focused on the question –
am I answering it?
Am I using relevant evidence and
concepts?
Am I reading between the lines &
introducing new ideas?
Am I pointing out the strengths &
weaknesses of the evidence
used?
The balance of AO1 and AO2 is
always as follows in the question:
Question 1 [9 marks] 3 / 6
Question 2 [18 marks] 6 / 12
Question 3 [33 marks] 15 / 18
(9/9)
3

9. Science as a belief
system.
1. Berger and
Luckmann argue that
beliefs are socially
constructed – science
can be seen as a social
construction.
2. The Enlightenment view of science
was based on two principles: the
belief that reason could provide an
understanding of the world and the
view that this understanding could be
used for the betterment of
humankind.
3. Traditionally, in
modern society,
science was seen to
be based on
objective
observation and
measurement.
4. According to Popper,
scientific theories can be
falsified but cannot be
proved.
5. So-called facts can be
seen as fabricated or
socially constructed. As
such, they are not
objective.
7. According to
Kuhn, science is
directed by
paradigms
constructed
within
communities of
scientists.
6. Giddens argues
that in late modern
society there are
serious doubts about
the objectivity and
value of modern
science.
8. Lyotard sees science as one
of the metanarratives which
are increasingly dismissed in
postmodern society.

10. High modernity
Reflexivity
Separation of time and space
Disembedding
Existential questions
‘Life projects’
Sphere of consumption
Religion as a cultural resource
Dedifferentiation
‘New Age’
Detraditionalization
Relativism
Consumer culture
Metanarrative

11. Patriarchy
Gender inequality
Mother Goddess
Polytheism
Monotheism
Female subordination
Purdah
Female circumcision
Veiling
Hijab