Postmodernism and belief

Question 1

What are the 2 ends of the spectrum to what Postmodernists believe is happening to religion in society?

Answer 1

Secularisation or Resurgence
R- (renewal and choice)

Question 2

What are the 10 key sociologists involved in the secularisation or resurgence argument?

Answer 2

1- Stark and Bainbridge
2- Norris and Inglehart
3- Davie
4- Leger
5- Lyon
6- Lyotard
7- Bauman
8- Bunting
9- Heelas
10- Bruce

Question 3

1- What theory do Stark and Bainbridge propose?

Answer 3

The Religious Market Theory

Question 4

Are Stark and Bainbridge secularisation or resurgence?

Answer 4

Resurgence
- say the S theory is eurocentric and religion has been replaced not removed
- the cycle of religious decline, revival then renewal
- demand for religion will always be there as religion meets human needs, seek rewards and avoid costs is human nature

Question 5

How does Bruce criticise Stark and Bainbridge?

Answer 5

X argues that religious decline is also evident in America as well as Europe
X believe S n B have misunderstood S theory as a claim that everyone will eventually become atheist
X Bruce claims it is actually a belief that religion is in long-term decline

Question 6

How do Norris and Inglehart criticise Stark and Bainbridge?

Answer 6

many countries with the Church having a monopoly actually have high levels of religious participation e.g. Ireland, Poland, Venezuela
- while countries such as Australia with more religious pluralism have lower levels of participation

Question 7

2- What theory do Norris and Inglehart propose?

Answer 7

Existential security theory

Question 8

Are Norris and Inglehart evidence of secularisation or resurgence?

Answer 8

S- religion meets a need that we all have for security
- in societies where people feel secure there is less demand
R- poorer societies, more inequality, more insecurity, high religiosity
- 3rd world countries have greater population growth, majority of the world is becoming more religious

Question 9

How does Vasquez criticise Norris and Inglehart?

Answer 9

States this theory is based on quantitative data only and he believes more qualitative info on people’s definitions of ‘existential security’ needed

Question 10

Hoe else can we criticise Norris and Inglehart?

Answer 10

X ignore the positive reasons people have for religious participation
X ignore the appeal that religion can have for the wealthy

Question 11

3- What key concepts does Davies explore?

Answer 11

• believing without belonging
• vicarious religion
• spiritual health service
• privatised religion

Question 12

What is believing wihtout belogning?

Answer 12

People hold religious belief but do not go to church

Question 13

What is vicarious religion?

Answer 13

A small number of professional clergy practise religion on behalf of other people who experience it second hand

Question 14

What is spiritual health service?

Answer 14

Dipping into religion when you need it
e.g. lighting a candle for someone who is ill

Question 15

What is privatised religion?

Answer 15

No public display of religion, personal interpretation of religion, practise privately

Question 16

Is Davies evidence of secularisation or resurgence?

Answer 16

R- people are being religious in a different way, it is still there and important just less traditional
S- Bruce, less commitment

Question 17

How do Voas and Crockett criticise Davies?

Answer 17

State evidence from the BSA survey 1983-2000 shows Church attendance AND belief in God is in decline

Question 18

How does Bruce criticise Davies?

Answer 18

Argues the fact that people won’t invest time in attending church is evidence of the decline in their beliefs

Question 19

4- What key secularisation ideas does Leger explore?

Answer 19

• builds on the idea of religion and personal choice
• cultural amnesia
• parents keen to allow children to make their own decisions
• the church has lost its power to impose religion onto people

Question 20

What is cultural amnesia?

Answer 20

children are no longer taught about religion by their parents, as children were in the past

Question 21

What key resurgence ideas does Leger explore?

Answer 21

• traditional religion has been replaced by individual consumerism
• become spiritual shoppers- DIY approach to religion
  2 new religious types emerging
  Pilgrims- follow an individual path, NAMs, therapy, personal develop
  Converts- join religious group with strong sense of belonging, community, evangelical movements, what suits them
• religion still has an impact on society’s beliefs e.g. human rights

Question 22

What collective human rights have their roots in religion?

Answer 22

Though shall not kill

Question 23

5- What key resurgence ideas does Lyon explore?

Answer 23

• religion has become de-institutionalised
• instant access to beliefs- globalisation
• rise in electronic churches
• ideas have been disembedded by the media lifted from original local context and placed elsewhere
• become a cultural resource can and adapt for their own purpose
• pick n mix elements of different faiths
• loss of faith in meta-narratives
• re-enchantment growth in unconventional beliefs and practises

Question 24

What are 2 criticisms of LYON?

Answer 24

X PMs claim use of the electronic church shows secularisation is not taking place but critics argue these are chosen by people to confirm their religious beliefs it doesn’t attract new members#
X his research of the electronic church did not produce extensive evidence

Question 25

How does BRUCE criticise LYON?

Answer 25

Argues this form of religion described by LYON is weak with little effect on people’s lives
- evidence for secularisation
- only a small part of religion has been disembedded

Question 26

6- Why does Lyotard agree with secularisations theorists?

Answer 26

Claims PM society is characterised by a loss in confidence of meta-narratives- the grand explanations provided by religion, politics, science and sociology
- turning our back and questioning the truth of mainstream religion

Question 27

7- What resurgence ideas does BAUMAN propose?

Answer 27

Rise in religious fundamentalism
- no agonies of choice
- not risk taking
- certainty is provided in an uncertain world
- a particular set of absolute values

Question 28

What secularisation ideas does BAUMAN propose?

Answer 28

We are experiencing a crisis of meaning, we have entered liquid modernity, traditional religions unable to deal with this crisis
- newer expressions, decline in religious monopolies, rise in NAMs

Question 29

What does Lechner say about fundamentalist religions?

Answer 29

They provide an answer to the chaos of the postmodern, global world

Question 30

8- How are Bunting’s ideas in support of resurgence?

Answer 30

• identities are fluid
• religious belief is becoming a DIY cocktail, involves spiritual shopping
  Seasonal attenders- dipping in Christmas, Easter, take what most appeals to them

Question 31

How can Bunting’s ideas be seen as in agreement with the secularisation theory?

Answer 31

Diluted, reject bits that don’t suit them (DIY cocktail)

Question 32

9- How is Heelas ideas in agreement with resurgence?

Answer 32

Development of new age beliefs as a rejection of science and modernity n the postmodern age
- holistic milieu, range of activities involving the mind, body, spirit, healing and self discovery, yoga
- NAMs grow because individuals are encouraged within this environment to focus on their spirituality

Question 33

10- Why are Bruce’s ideas evidence of secularisation?

Answer 33

• only minute interest in new forms of religion
• minimal commitment
• claims that these religion are ‘consumed by people as a slightly flavouring to their mundane lives’
• new forms are insignificant, people are bored

Question 34

Does the plurality of religion in post modern society make religion in general weaker or stronger?

Answer 34

BOTH