Postmodern views on religion

Question 1

Who are the 2 post-modern figures of religion?

Answer 1

• David Lyon
• Anthony Giddens

Question 2

David Lyon- general view

Answer 2

• Religion is not declining since the shift between modernism and postmodernism
• Instead, religion relocates to the ‘sphere of consumption’ as people selectively choose which aspects of different religions they want to use at different points in their lives

Question 3

‘sphere of consumption’- David Lyon

Answer 3

People expect to have choice in every aspect of their life, including religion

Question 4

What does David Lyon say are the 2 main social changes from modernity and post-modernity?

Answer 4

• The spread of computer and information technology
• The growth of consumer culture- people are still buying into religion (crystals, yoga, Pilates, meditation)

Question 5

What statistics did Lyon identify?

Answer 5

80% of those who didn’t attend church on a regular basis still drew selectively on religion during critical times of their lives such as marriage/ death. This demonstrates how religion is far from disappearing altogether.

Question 6

Example of Lyon’s theory

Answer 6

• ‘Jesus in Disneyland’
• Christian singers appear on stage at disneyland during religious festivals
• Shows how religion has been adapted into postmodern society

Question 7

De- differentiation- Lyon

Answer 7

Religion is less traditional and more ‘fun’

Question 8

Anthony Giddens: general overview on religion

Answer 8

• The conditions of post- modern society have resulted in an increase in religion
• As people are less influenced by tradition, people increasingly question what they should be doing with their life

Question 9

2 reasons why individuals often struggle with constructing their own, individual self- identities according to Anthony Giddens

Answer 9

• Society is established in a way in which stops us from thinking about the ‘big external questions’. For example, the sick, dying and mad who would make us answer these questions are hidden away from society
• Scientific knowledge provides diverse advice on how to live compared to religion

Question 10

What does Anthony Giddens state that people go through without religion

Answer 10

• ‘ontological security’- they don’t really know who they are or what to do with their lives