Beliefs in Society: religion and social groups Flashcards
gender and religiosity: priesthood and religious activities
Although open to both males and females, the priesthood is mainly made up of males. however, women are more likely to participate in church activities e.g. organised church groups.
gender and religiosity: key statistics about males and female beliefs
more women believe in life after death (84%) than men (75%) by 18%.
more women believe in God (57%) than men (39%) by 9%.
gender and religiosity: women and sects
Bruce says there are twice as many women as men involved in sects. this could be because they view the charismatic leader as strong and caring, and men don’t want ‘competition’.
differences may be due to the way different genders view God. the god of power and control or the god of love and forgiveness.
women are more likely to be part of holistic milieu groups due to their focus being on themselves and family happiness, whilst men focus on achievement.
gender and religiosity: reasons for gender differences - socialisation and gender roles
women are more religious because they are socialised to be passive, obedient and caring, qualities which are valued most in religion. e.g. 61% of women attend church, whereas only 39% of men attend church.
women are more likely than men to work part-time, or be carers, meaning they have more scope for organising their time to be able to take part in religious activities. e.g. morning children’s groups; gain a sense of identity from the church.
gender and religiosity: reasons for gender differences - women and the new age
as women are often associated with nature and a healing role, they may be more attracted than men to the New Age Movements (cults and sects).
women may also be attracted to the New Age because it emphasises the importance of being ‘authentic’, rather than acting out roles. women may be more attracted to this because women are more likely to view their ascribed role as restrictive.
gender and religiosity: reasons for gender differences - compensation for deprivation
People participate in religion as a compensator for social, ethical, or organismic deprivation. Glock and Stark argue womena re more likely to experience these.
Social deprivation: women are more likely to be poor, therefore joining more New Age movements as they attract to poor people.
Ethical deprivation: women tend to be morally conservative, seeing the world as being in moral decline, and therefore will turn to religion.
Organismic deprivation: stems from physical and mental health problems. women are more likely to suffer physical problems, and thus seek healing through religion.
gender and religiosity: recent trends
there is evidence that although more women attend church, they are leaving the church at a faster rate.
brierley: women are leaving the church because they are searching for factual explanations as they are becoming more educated and equal to men.
Brown: Since the 1960s, women have begun to reject traditional subordinate gender roles. because Christianity was closely bound up with these traditional roles, women’s rejection of subordination has led them to reject traditional religion at the same time.
ethnicity and religiosity: statistics
African Carribean protestants believe religion is most important (81%), however, only 57% attend weekly worship.
White Anglians statistically view religion as least important 11%, and 9% attend weekly worship.
ethnicity and religiosity: reasons for ethnic differences
cultural defence: ethnic minorities originate from poorer countries, Bruce argues that religion in such situations offers support and a sense of cultural identity in an uncertain and hostile environment. Bird argues that religion among minorities can be the basis for community solidarity: a means of preserving one’s culture and language.
cultural transmission: religion can help an easy transition into a new culture by providing support and a sense of community for minority groups. Herberg and Bruce say that given that immigration is still a relatively recent phenomenon, it isn’t surprising that ethnic minorities are still more religious than white Britons. the cultural transmission theory holds that once a group has settled into a new culture, commitment to religion will gradually weaken.
Age and religiosity: which age groups are most likely to attend church?
under 15: more likely to go to church than other age groups because they are ‘made’ by their parents. however, from 1979, there has been a significant drop in the amount of under 15s who attend church. this shows the trend that the UK is becoming more secularised, as every age category has dropped significantly on attending church.
1979: 1416
2005: 624
over 65: more likely to be sick or disabled and unable to attend.
age and religiosity: reasons for age differences
the ageing effect: people turn to religion as they get older. Heelas argues that people become more interested in religion as we get older becuase as we reach death, we ‘naturally’ become more considered about spiritual matters. As a result, we are more likely to go to church.
The generational effect: this is the view that society is becoming more secularised, meaning new generations are less religious. for example, there are more old people than young in church. Voas and Crockett argue the generational effect is the most significant explanation for the age difference in religious participation.
class and religiosity: marxism
to Marx, religion is an illusion which eases the pain produced by exploitation and oppression. it is a series of myths that justify and legitimate the subordination of the proletariat and the domination and privilege of the ruling class.
class and religiosity: key statistics
48% of the ruling class don’t ever attend church, and 57% of working class never attend church.
The working class is more likely to work in retail on Sundays. They may be religious, but they practice at home—belief without belonging.
However, 16% of the ruling class attend church fortnightly or more, compared to 12% of the working class. This is because the ruling class is more likely to have the time to attend church.
class and religiosity: reasons for Social Class Differences
Bruce argues the middle classes are much more decisive in their religious behaviour compared to the working class.
the lower classes are much more likely to pray in private, believe in their doctrines of faith, and have intense religious experiences. the upper and ruling classes are more likely to attend worship services and take part in church activities.
Stark argues the poor show greater religiousness in those aspects of faith that serve as a relief for suffering; the middle and upper classes participate in religious activities that help confirm the legitimacy of their claim to high status.
