Religion, Renewal and Choice

Question 1

Explain what is meant by ‘Believing Without Belonging’.

Answer 1

Having religious beliefs but not attending a church.

Question 2

Explain what is meant by ‘Vicarious Religion’.

Answer 2

Experiencing religion ‘second hand’ or at a distance. Attending church for rites of passage,
but not on a regular basis.

Question 3

According to Hervieu-leger, how do ‘Pilgrims’ differ from ‘Converts’?

Answer 3

‘Pilgrims’ focus on their own individual spirituality and development; ‘converts’ join religious
groups for a sense of community and belonging.

Question 4

What do Start and Bainbridge mean by ‘Compensators’?

Answer 4

Religion provides us with supernatural compensation for things we cannot achieve in this
life.

Question 5

Suggest two reasons why patterns of religiosity in America and Europe are different.

Answer 5

There has never been a religious monopoly in America; America has a vast array of religions
on offer; there is religious competition on television; religious groups are often very wealthy;
religious adherence in America is more flexible – people change more often from one group
to another; adherence to civil religion is required of politicians; American society is more
unequal.

Question 6

Why do some sociologists criticise secularisation theory as ‘Eurocentric’?

Answer 6

It focuses on the decline of religion in Europe, and ignores other societies where religion still
thrives.

Question 7

Identify two criticisms of Religious Market Theory.

Answer 7

Diversity and supply do not necessarily increase the level of religiosity; some societies have
high levels of religious participation despite a monopoly by one church; religious market
theory misrepresents the idea of a religious ‘golden age’ in the past.

Question 8

What is meant by ‘Existential Security’?

Answer 8

The feeling that survival is secure and therefore there is less need for religion to provide
reassurance.