Topic 4 - Religion, Renewal & Choice

Question 1

What is the existential security theory?

Answer 1

• This argues religion isn’t a matter of consumer choice.
• Suggests religion is declining but appears strong in certain parts of the world:
• Religion meets a need for security and therefore societies, where people feel insecure, have a high level of demand for religion.
• Explains why the USA has high religion - has expensive healthcare.

Question 2

Evaluations of the existential security theory

Answer 2

• Vasquez: Ignores the positive reasons people have for religious participation and the fact that some types of religion appeal to the wealthy.

Question 3

What is the rise of New Age Spirituality?

Answer 3

• Some sociologists say a ‘spiritual revolution’ is happening, e.g. traditional Christianity is being replaced by New Age Spirituality or ‘holistic’ spirituality
• Huge interest in the ‘spiritual market’, e.g. self-help books, meditation, homeopathy
• Heclas and Woodhead: the holistic milieu was growing

Question 4

Evaluations of the rise of New Age Spirituality

Answer 4

• People have a weak commitment - very few saw the practices as important in their lives.
• Socialisation of the next generation is weak.

Question 5

What are new forms of religion?

Answer 5

• Believing without belonging: don’t go to church but religious
• Spiritual shopping: people pick and mix bits of religion that appeal to them
• Postmodern society changing nature of religion: religion is removed from where it would normally be found i.e the ‘disembedding’ of religion from traditional places to other places e.g. internet

Question 6

Evaluation of new forms of religion

Answer 6

Bruce: if people aren’t willing to attend church, reflects a decline in the strength of beliefs.

Question 7

What is the religious market theory?

Answer 7

• When churches decline, they leave a gap in the market for sects and cults
• Stark and Bainbridge argue religion thrives in the USA because there is a religious market
• There’s a religious monopoly- where religions decline or grow based upon consumer demand - religions go up with lots of religions

Question 8

Evaluations of the religious market theory

Answer 8

Beckford: Says it’s un-sociological, as it assumes people are ‘naturally’ religious and fails to explain why they make the choices they do.