Ethnicity and religious involvement

Question 1

Cultural defence and Cultural transition

Answer 1

-idea that ethnic minorities use religion to preserve language and culture while also using it to ease into a new culture
-can provide and support them while bringing on a sense of community
Madood - claims 71% of carribeans attend church
- use religion to stabilise themselves and stay in touch with who they are as they fear they will lose their culture and will not adjust

• use functionalists to further point
  e.g emotional support in these times as it is a big change and need more support so look to religion
• can also turn to sects as they can be looking for more alternatives to find a community

Question 2

What organisations are ethnic minorities more likely to join?

Answer 2

sects
- suffer from deprivation and sects can offer them community and equality that they are deprived from in society
- link to cultural defence (Bira)

denominations
- very important to some
- many ethnic minorities attend these and feel as if they can seek out community here
71% of caribbean members are apart of new protestant churches
- denominations are more welcoming and less structured
- more w/c people who are deprived so go through same experiences
- more free and structured

Question 3

Why do minorities show higher rates of religiosity

Answer 3

Malinowski - emotional support with oppression and deprivation
- bruce claims that religion can be a source of emotional support for those who live in uncertain or hostile environments
- find sense of community and belonging through religion - this community helps to preserve minority culture
- might not even be committed to the religion itself but the community
- functionalists malinowski and durkheim back up this point with their beliefs
Marx - FCC
Durkheim - brings people together and gives sense of community