Renewal and choice Flashcards
What do some sociologists argue against the secularisation thesis?
They argue that while some aspects of traditional religion are in decline, new forms are emerging due to changes in wider society such as greater individualism, choice, and consumerism.
What is ‘believing without belonging’?
Davie argues that religion is not declining but taking a more privatised form, where people hold religious beliefs without belonging to organisations.
What is vicarious religion?
Davie notes a trend towards vicarious religion, where an active minority practices religion on behalf of the majority, who experience it second-hand.
How does Davie describe major national churches in Europe?
She describes them as public utilities or a ‘Spiritual Health Service’ available for rites of passage and national occasions.
What metaphor does Davie use to describe vicarious religion?
She compares it to the tip of an iceberg, indicating that beneath the surface, many people remain attached to the church for support and rituals.
What is Davie’s critique of secularisation theory?
She argues that secularisation theory assumes a single version of modernity, while there are multiple modernities with different patterns of religion.
What do Voas and Crockett argue against Davie’s view?
They present evidence showing that both church attendance and belief in God are declining together, contradicting the idea of ‘believing without belonging’.
What did Day find regarding self-identifying Christians?
She found that many identified as Christian not for religious reasons, but as a marker of their ethnic or national identity.
What does globalisation refer to in the context of religion?
Globalisation refers to the interconnectedness of societies, leading to increased movements of ideas and beliefs across national boundaries.
How has the internet affected religion according to the text?
The internet allows believers to express their faith without attending physical churches, blurring the boundaries between different areas of social life.
What does Lyon argue about the current state of religion?
He criticises secularisation theory and argues that we are in a period of re-enchantment, with a growth of unconventional beliefs and spirituality.
What is the main argument of Stark and Bainbridge regarding religious market theory?
They argue that secularisation theory is Eurocentric and fails to explain the vitality of religion in America and elsewhere.
What do Stark and Bainbridge propose about the demand for religion?
They propose that people are naturally religious and that the overall demand for religion remains constant, despite variations in specific types.
What are compensators in the context of religious market theory?
Compensators are promises of supernatural rewards that religion provides when real rewards are scarce or unobtainable.
What do Stark and Bainbridge say about religious competition?
They argue that competition among churches leads to improvements in the quality of religious offerings, attracting more followers.
How does the demand for religion differ between America and Europe?
Demand increases with variety; America has a healthy religious market, while Europe often has a religious monopoly leading to decline.
What do Norris and Inglehart argue about secularisation in Western Europe?
They argue that increasing secularisation is expected due to the equality and security provided by welfare states.
What is the relationship between insecurity and religiosity according to Norris and Inglehart?
They argue that higher levels of poverty and insecurity in America lead to greater religiosity compared to more secure European countries.
What do Gill and Lundegaarde find regarding welfare spending and religiosity?
They find that higher welfare spending correlates with lower levels of religious participation.
What do Gill and Lundegaarde suggest about the future of religion?
They believe religion will not disappear completely, as it addresses ultimate questions about life that welfare cannot.
What is a criticism of Norris and Inglehart’s view on religion?
They are criticized for only seeing religion as a negative response to deprivation, ignoring positive reasons for religious participation.
