Why do ethnic minorities have high levels of religiosity Flashcards
Religion plays a prominent part in the socialisation of ethnic minority children
Religion plays a prominent role in the socialisation of many young members of ethnic minorities. It is usual for children from ethnic minority groups to receive formal religious education in a place of worship and for this instruction to be reinforced in the home with religious based rules on behaviour concerning dress, food and relationships.
It is common for family members to pray together and to attend religious services and festivals with members of both their extended family and local ethnic community.
Ghuman’s study found that first generation Asian parents in the UK used religion as an agent of informal social control over their children.
He found Asian parents were keen to pass on values such as obedience to elders, respect in the community and accepting parental guidance over choice of marriage partner. With religion playing such an important part in the upbringing of ethnic minority children, they tend to keep these beliefs into adulthood and so it is not surprising to find that ethnic minorities have the highest rates of religious participation in the country.
Religion is used as a cultural defence by ethnic minorities:
Religious groups are seen as defenders of the people as they preserve cultural identity.
For example, British Indians have attempted to maintain their links with Hinduism, although this form of religious belief has become increasingly difficult to maintain in a society such as Britain. One of the cornerstones of the Hindu system - the necessity of arranging marriages to ensure spiritual purity - is difficult to maintain in British society whose dominant culture stresses individual choice in the matter of marriage partner. By justifying arranged marriages as a religious duty, Hindus have been able to preserve this cultural practice.
Religion can also be a basis for community solidarity, a means of uniting and representing an ethnic minority group. For example, in matters relating to policing or crime, religious leaders can be seen as community leaders. In this way religion becomes a solid source of identity, status and community, which an ethnic minority group will not get in mainstream society.
Religion helps with the cultural transition of ethnic minorities into a new country
Religion can be a means of easing the transition into a new culture by providing support and a sense of community for ethnic minorities.
Bruce argues that religion is important in helping migrants adjust to life in a new country. The ethnic churches provide a rallying point for new migrants and provide contact with the more settled members of their ethnic group. In this way religion often has a practical benefit when immigrants move into a new country as an ethnic minority religion can be a source of help with housing, employment, education and child care.
The church becomes a focal point for the ethnic minority group and immigrants find familiar rituals, symbols and personal contacts through practising religion.
Bruce says that the integrating function of religion, giving people sense of belonging and social solidarity, is very important for ethnic minority communities as by practising a shared set of beliefs, their cultural identities can be maintained, for example in terms of dress, diet, social activities and use of language. This is particularly important for many older Asian people, especially women, who may feel marginalised
Ethnic minorities use religion as a defence against social deprivation, marginality and status frustration
In Pryce’s study of African-Caribbeans in Bristol, he found the Pentecostalist Church not only helped them adjust to life in Britain by encouraging self-reliance and providing community support, but it also helped them to cope with oppression. This was particularly important when they were faced with low pay and discrimination. When a social group is denied status and rewards in society, they may be attracted to a religion because it not only offers an explanation for their marginality but opportunities for future achievement. This is known as a ‘theodicy of disprivilege’
eligion can be used as a means of coping with oppression in a racist society. Wilson found young black Americans were attracted to Islamic sects in the 1960’s
Religion is used as a justification for changing society by extremist action (Weber and Neo Marxist links)
Weber’s ‘theodicy of disprivilege’ can also be used to show how some Islamic militants have used their religion to justify terrorist attacks in the west. Their message is that Islam transcends nationality, creating an international brotherhood - and sisterhood.
They argue that Islam is under attack and that God supports them in defence of their beliefs and in attacking those they see as enemies of Islam. eg Abu Hamza would show followers in his mosque videos of Muslims being killed in areas of ethnic conflict to stir up hatred of the west and other religions. In this instance, religious participation is used to politicise followers in defence of a cause.
Ethnic minority religious practice is evidence against secularisation
Ethnic minorities have the highest levels of religious practice in the UK and Islam is the country’s fastest growing religion. Kepel argues that UK Muslims have retained and strengthened their beliefs in response to an upsurge of Islamic beliefs throughout the world.
rise in religious fundamentalism, especially amongst some UK Muslims, can also be viewed as a response to the growing secularisation of UK society. The relative growth of Islamic fundamentalism
eligious beliefs may be strengthened into a literal following of religious doctrine in reaction to what may be seen as a rejection of religion and traditional moral values by the mainstream culture.
