Religion in a contemporary world

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

Although he argued that there was something eternal about religion he anticipated it would decline in social significance in larger industrial societies

Question 2

Marx

Answer 2

Believed industrial capitalism would set in motion a chain of events that would eventually lead to its own downfall- criminogenic society
In a communist society there would be no need for any religion as there would be no pain or oppression

Question 3

Weber

Answer 3

Anticipated the progressive reduction in the importance of religion as rationalisation would lead to the gradual erosion of religious influence

Question 4

Church attendance

Answer 4

A 2011 YouGov poll found that 63% had not attended a place of worship for religious reasons in the last year, 43% last attended over a year ago, 20% had never attended and only 9% had attended in the last week

Question 5

Church membership

Answer 5

The English Church Census 2006 shows that membership of large religious organisations such as the Church of England and the Catholic Church have declined however membership of smaller organisations has remained more stable or in some cases grown