Religiousity + Social Groups

Question 1

Social class

Answer 1

Could be argued that high level of ethnic minority’s religiosity is response to ‘class position’.

Question 2

Age

Answer 2

The ageing effect; people turn to religion as they get older as they approach death + they become more concerned about the afterlife
The generational effect; religion becomes less popular with each new gen churches are full of older people because they grew up when religion was more popular
Children no longer get religious socialisation + bought up without religious beliefs, less likely to go to church

Question 3

Ethnicity

Answer 3

59% of population describe themselves as Christian
Muslim, Hindu + black Christian view religion as far more important than white Christian - for higher attendance + membership
Reasons - immigrants come from poorer countries with traditional cultures + high levels of belief + practice - patterns are maintained in new country. Cultural transition- religion is a means of easing the transition into a new culture by providing support + community for minority groups in their new environment.

Question 4

Gender

Answer 4

Bruce estimates 2x as many women as men involved in Sects
Women + new age - women more associated with a healing role, they may be more attracted than men to New Age movements - Bruce argues child-rearing makes women less aggressive + more cooperative + caring- fitting the expressive emphasis of the New Age
Compensation for deprivation - argue deprivation is more common among women explains higher level of sect membership