ethnicity and religion

Question 1

links between ethnic groups and main religious affiliations

Answer 1

• white: Christian/no religion
• black Caribbean: Christian
• black African: Muslim, Christian
• Indian: Hindu, Sikh, Muslim
• Pakistani: Muslim
• Bangladeshi: Muslim, Hindu
• Chinese: Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist

Question 2

general pattern of ethnicity and religion

Answer 2

census statistics suggest ethnic minorities are more religious than the white majority and that this has grown in the UK (eg number of Muslims in UK has tripled since 1970)

Question 3

criticisms of patterns of ethnicity and religious belief

Answer 3

• general issues with official statistics
• 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants equally as secular as white majority (Madood, Bruce)

Question 4

functions of religious commitment for ethnic minorities

Answer 4

• aid to migration and cultural transition (basis of support for new members)
• cultural defence and mediation of relationships between populations (migrants maintain distinctiveness, improve attention and education of other cultures in Britain)
• shield against racism (using Islam as main marker of identity due to rise in Islamophobia and hate crime)
• improvements in status (values of Pentecostalism, wealth of Calvinism)
• dealing with and explaining deprivation (offers hope of salvation in the afterlife)
• central to minorities’ identities (Ramji)
• creation of hybrid identities (Johal)

Question 5

religion, ethnicity and conflict

Answer 5

• dress codes (Islam burqas and school uniform, Sikhs carrying daggers against law)
• food taboos (Kosher and Halal meat in UK seen as inhumane)
• forced marriage (became UK crime in 2012, links to honour killings)
• FGM (illegal in the UK, girls travel for it, 1,700 treated for it in 2013)
• radicalisation of Muslim extremists (terrorism due to British policy and westernisation)
• Christian conflicts in UK (traditional attitudes in schools may present issues for ethnic groups)