Vicarious religion - Spiritual health Characteristics of a 1. Relativity of knowledge
service Postmodern society
Davie argues that in Europe, major national 1 - Relativity of knowledge
Fixed knowledge like everyone
churches are seen as public utilities or a sort of believing in Christianity has
‘Spiritual Health Service’. 2 - Loss of identity
declined.
3 - Lack of certainty
Similar to the NHS; it is there for everyone Instead, it is more ‘my truth is
to use whenever they need to. different to your truth’.
4 - Plurality / choice /
diversity
2. Loss of
identity
Voas and
Crockett (2005)
Uncertainty, old traditions
disappearing, no longer
They do not accept Davie’s claim that there
defined by class, gender,
is more believing than belonging.
ethnicity etc.
Instead, they think attendance and belief are declining together;
neither believing nor belonging.
Beliefs -
Postmodernism
Rather than religion declining, Davie Davie - belief (2) 3. Lack of certainty - Collapse of meta-narratives
believes it is taking a more privatised form. without - Spiritual void
belonging - Religious pluralism
People are reluctant to belong to - Uncertain futures
churches, political parties or trade unions.
Despite this, people still hold beliefs.
(Believing without belonging). Alternatives 4. Plurality/choice/diversity
Postmodernism has
Some sociologists had a number of Feel we can ‘pick and mix’,
believe that we are effects on religion: globalisation.
now turning to
‘alternative religions’,
e.g. Scientology or ● Decline in traditional religions
NAMs to provide us ● Changes to how we practice our religion
with answers to life. ● A growth of fundamentalism
● An increase in NRMs
Others believe fundamentalism is increasing ● More towards greater spirituality
as people can’t cope with uncertainty, and ● Pick n mix with beliefs
are therefore becoming more religious. ● Secularisation
service Postmodern society
Davie argues that in Europe, major national 1 - Relativity of knowledge
Fixed knowledge like everyone
churches are seen as public utilities or a sort of believing in Christianity has
‘Spiritual Health Service’. 2 - Loss of identity
declined.
3 - Lack of certainty
Similar to the NHS; it is there for everyone Instead, it is more ‘my truth is
to use whenever they need to. different to your truth’.
4 - Plurality / choice /
diversity
2. Loss of
identity
Voas and
Crockett (2005)
Uncertainty, old traditions
disappearing, no longer
They do not accept Davie’s claim that there
defined by class, gender,
is more believing than belonging.
ethnicity etc.
Instead, they think attendance and belief are declining together;
neither believing nor belonging.
Beliefs -
Postmodernism
Rather than religion declining, Davie Davie - belief (2) 3. Lack of certainty - Collapse of meta-narratives
believes it is taking a more privatised form. without - Spiritual void
belonging - Religious pluralism
People are reluctant to belong to - Uncertain futures
churches, political parties or trade unions.
Despite this, people still hold beliefs.
(Believing without belonging). Alternatives 4. Plurality/choice/diversity
Postmodernism has
Some sociologists had a number of Feel we can ‘pick and mix’,
believe that we are effects on religion: globalisation.
now turning to
‘alternative religions’,
e.g. Scientology or ● Decline in traditional religions
NAMs to provide us ● Changes to how we practice our religion
with answers to life. ● A growth of fundamentalism
● An increase in NRMs
Others believe fundamentalism is increasing ● More towards greater spirituality
as people can’t cope with uncertainty, and ● Pick n mix with beliefs
are therefore becoming more religious. ● Secularisation
