Ethnicity And Religiousity

Question 1

What are the five explanations for ethnic differences in religiousity

Answer 1

Solidarity

Social deprivation and marginality

Religious socialisation

Cultural transition

Cultural defence

Question 2

Ao1 solidarity

Answer 2

Davie suggest that high-level of religiosity helps to maintain tradition and community solidarity

She links to other aspects of ethnic identity such as art, marriage, cooking, diet and language

Mosques and sikh temples, for example are community centres, as well as place for worship, which provides a focus for social life as well as promote and cultural values and traditions, which may be under threat by dominant white culture

It also helped to cope with the worries of discrimination arising from racism in wider society that many minority ethnic groups may encounter

Question 3

Ao3 solidarity

Answer 3

Postmodern Society says ethnicity is no longer a barrier
People may choose to use religion for solidarity, but there are many options
It is possible for ethnic minorities to feel solidarity with other ethnic minority and white people

Question 4

Ao1 social deprivation and marginality

Answer 4

Ethnic minorities are more likely to feel a sense of status frustration, which may lead to a higher religiousity

People turn to religion as a secure solid source of identity, status and community, which is lacking in main stream society

Old Asian women marginalised in society as they often have a poor grasp of English

Marxs view of the religion is that religion is the opium of the people which provides them comforting diversion, from the causes of poverty and the racism they encounter

Question 5

Ao3 social deprivation and marginality

Answer 5

Ethnic minorities religiousity may be more to do with class than ethnicity
Many ethnic minorities, who are more religious tend to be low class
Chinese tend to be less religious and usually they are middle-class

Question 6

Ao1 religious socialisation

Answer 6

Family structures are much tightened in Asian communities with strong extended families
Combine with close communities may result in pressure to confirm to religious values and behaviour

Question 7

Ao3
Religious socialisation

Answer 7

Perhaps ethnic minority religiosity is a cultural expectation for them than purely religious
Belonging without believing

Question 8

Ao1 cultural transition

Answer 8

Religion can also be a means of easing the transition into a new culture
This is by providing support and a sense of community for minority groups in the new environment

Bruce sees the similar pattern in the history of immigration to the UK. He argues that Pentecostalism is highly adaptive religion of the oppressed that provides migrants with values, appropriate to the new world in which they found themselves
The Pentecostalism allows Africaribbean up to society by playing a present ethic role and helping its member succeed by encouraging self reliance

Question 9

Ao3
Cultural transition

Answer 9

However, once a group such as Irish Catholics, for example, has made the transition into the wider society religion may lose its role and decline in importance

Question 10

Ao1
Cultural defence

Answer 10

Bruce argues that religion offers support, and a sense of cultural identity in an uncertain and hostile environment

As bird notes religion among minorities can be a basis of community solidarity, which preserves one’s culture language, and a way of coping with oppression in a racist society

In the case of black African or Caribbean Christians, many found out that churches in the UK did not actively welcome them

Question 11

Ao3 cultural defence

Answer 11

Post-modernist would argue that there is little need for cultural defence in the postmodern UK Society

There is much evidence of integration and interfaith links
For example, interfaith conferences across the UK to build,
solidarity and social cohesion