Religion,Renewal and Choice Flashcards
(25 cards)
What does Davie mean by ‘Obligation to consumption?
Religion is no longer something that is inherited but something that is of personal choice
-For example decline in babies being baptised as it is not a obligation but rise in personal choice to get baptised later
How does Davie criticise the view that religion is declining?
Religion is not declining but just taking a more privatised form known as ‘believing without belonging’
-Still hold religious beliefs but not obligated to be tied to a religious organisation
What is vicarious religion?
Where a small minority practice religion on the behalf of the majority
-Churches operate like a ‘spiritual health service’ like NHS; it is there for everyone to use whenever they need e.g baptisms/weddings/funerals but we do not attend all the time
How can Davies be criticised>
Voas and Crockett-Argued that church attendance and belief in God are declining altogether; thus we are neither believing nor belonging
-Bruce adds that if people are less willing to invest time in church it shows the strengths of their beliefs are declining
What does Herveui-Leger argue about new forms of religion?
-There has been cultural amnesia; religion is not taught by parents and children are instead allowed to chose their own religion
-This has led to individual religious consumerism in which we become spiritual shoppers and look for religions that suit our interests /aspiration
What are the two new religious types that are emerging according to Herveui-Leger?
Pilgrims;Follow an individual path to find self discovery e.g new age movements
Converts;Join religious groups that offer a strong sense of belonging e.g evangelical movements
How can Hervieu-Legers views be related to late modernity?
-decline in tradition and increasing indicidualism
What does Lyon argue about the changing nature of religion
Our move to a postmodern society has led to globalisation, media saturation and consumerism that is changing religion
-Religion has become ‘disembeded’ from physical churches and placed online e.g televangelism
-Space-time compression means we have instant access to religious messages online
-Religion has thus been deinstitutionalised> religious ideas can now be adapted to own purposes
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What two types of religious internet activity does Helland distinguish between?
Religion online-religious organisations use the internet to address its members. No dialogue
Online religion- New forms of ‘cyber-religions’ that do not exist outside of the internet
What is meant by religious consumerism?
A feature of postmodern society in which we pick and mix elements of different faiths to suit our tastes
-We thus become consumers and chose which aspects of a religion we find useful
why does Lyon argue traditional religions have declined
-They are seen as meta-narratives that argue to have absolute truth
-However, still in their place there is a rise of non-traditional religion ‘re-enchantment of the world’
How can it be argued that there is a spiritual revolution?
Traditional religions giving way to new age spiritual beliefs that focus on self-development and subjective experience
-Growth in spiritual market e.g meditation and healing crystals
According to Heelas and Woodhead, what is the cause of the rise in New age spirituality
-Shift in todays culture towards exploring your inner self by following a spirtual path> trad religions that demand obedience are declining
-Evangelical churches are more succesful as they emphasise subjective aspects e.g spiritual healing
What are the weaknesses of the New Age
Bruce
Scale- the growth of New Age religions needs to be on a larger scale to make up for trad decline
Socialisation-Parents are less likely to socialise their children into their views so short lived
-Weak commitment to spiritual movements
Structural weakness as too many differing beliefs so no cohesion
How do Stark and Bainbridge criticise the religious market theory?
Eurocentric as religion is still used in America and elsewhere
According to Stark and Bainbridge, why are individuals attracted to religion
-Provides us with compensators by promising supernatural rewards that non-religious ideology cannot provide
What is the cycle of renewal?
Stark and Bainbridge argue taht religions go through a cycle of declining, leaving a gap in the religious market that is then taken on by new religious organisations
-Thus secularisation theory is one-sided as it ignores growth of new movements
How do Stark and Bainbridge see religious competition?
-Argue it leads to the improvement of quality of ‘religious goods’ on the market
-Those who provide products that are both attractive/ responsive to members needs will thrive
How can Religious market theory explain the difference in religiosity between Europe and America?
-America has never had a religious monopoly so large competition in religious that improves standards> increased demand due to more supply
-Europe had a religious monopoly and the lack of supply > decrease in demand
How can evangelical megachurches be used to support the idea of supply led religion?
Provide diverse products to their members that increase the demand of religion
how can religious market theory be criticised?
There are high levels of religiosity in countries with a near monopoly e.g Ireland and Venuzuela whereas countries with religious pluralism e.g Australia have lower levels
Norris +Inglehaart existential security
How do Norris and Inglehaart explain differences in religiosity
Different levels of existential security
-Poor societies/poor people in rich societies have more life threatening risks e.g famine, disease> high levels of security>high levels of religiosity
-Rich societies have higher standards> higher existental security> less risk>less religiosity
How can existential security theory explain differences in religiosity between Europe and America
Europe has developed welfare that offers comprehensive health care and pensions>reduces poverty>less insecurity
-USA has inadequate welfare and individualistic ‘dog-eat-dog’ values> high levels of poverty and insecurity>more need for religion
What did Lundegaarde find about state welfare and religiosity?
The more a country spends on welfare the lower the level of religious participation
-Religon used to provide welfare in poorer countries but this has now been taken over by the state> religious decline
