SOCIETY AND RELIGION
SOCIOLOGY.
Social Class and Religion BELIEFS IN SOCIETY.
Ethnicity and Religion Voas and Crokett
Statistics show different religious movements Ethnic minorities in the UK are more likely to Statistics on religious belief and church
attract different social classes. hold religious beliefs and engage in religious attendance suggest that the elderly are more
practices than White British. religious than any other
Lawes
generation. Voas and Crokett suggest that there
Modood et al.
Lawes claims that ‘lifelong theists’ are are two different explanations behind the
predominantly from working class Ethnic minorities in the UK are more likely to elderly’s greater participation in religions.
backgrounds. Lawes also found that ‘lifelong hold religious beliefs and engage in religious
1. The ageing effect
atheists’ (non-believers) were a minority but practices than White British. However
tended to be more relevant to those with a Modood et al. suggest that the more The ageing effect: As people come closer to the
middle-class background. generations that exist within a community, end of their life, their interest in spirituality and
the lower their rate of religious participation. religion increases. This may be due to a
Rural areas
growing concern about the afterlife, seeking
Bruce
Statistics suggest that churches in more forgiveness for past sins or seeking company
affluent, rural areas tend to have higher Bruce argues that religion can provide within the church community.
attendances. support and a sense of identity when ethnic
1. The generational or period effect
minority groups come to the UK. He argues
School catchment
ethnic minorities will use religion in one of The generational or period effect: The current
Voas and Watt point out that churches that are two ways. elderly generation may be more religious due to
affiliated with successful schools tend to have their upbringing which was less secure and
1. Cultural defence
high attendance statistics. This may be due to more religious than today’s youth.
parents attending the church to ensure that Religion can be used as a way to unite a
Young people and religion
their child gains an advantage in enrolling into community against change or hostility from
the best schools in the local area. Therefore, wider society. For example, African-Caribbean Some sociologists focus on reasons why the young
church attendance does not always mean that Christians who experience racism can use are less interested in religion and the ‘virtual
a person has religious belief. religion to overcome these barriers. Cultural collapse of religious socialisation.’
defence is a way to protect and defend your Decline of Sunday school
New religious movements
heritage when it is under attack.
Trends suggest that middle class people are Arweck and Beckford claim that it is increasingly
1. Cultural transition unlikely for parents to pass their religious beliefs to
more likely to feel attached to traditional
their children. For example traditional Sunday
churches whereas working class people are Religion is used by ethnic minority groups to Schools which used to be widespread are now very
drawn more to new religious movements. This help them assimilate into British culture. This rare in the UK.
is because new religious movements often lack will make the individual feel part of society.
hierarchy in their structures. Hierarchies can Increasing individualisation
Age and Religion
be seen as forms of authority that working- Mayo suggests that religion has become a personal
class believers may want to distance Statistics on religious belief and church choice rather than an enforced aspect of our
themselves from. attendance suggest that the elderly are more identities. Even faith based schools take a more
religious than any other generation. liberal approach to introducing children to religious
SOCIOLOGY.
Social Class and Religion BELIEFS IN SOCIETY.
Ethnicity and Religion Voas and Crokett
Statistics show different religious movements Ethnic minorities in the UK are more likely to Statistics on religious belief and church
attract different social classes. hold religious beliefs and engage in religious attendance suggest that the elderly are more
practices than White British. religious than any other
Lawes
generation. Voas and Crokett suggest that there
Modood et al.
Lawes claims that ‘lifelong theists’ are are two different explanations behind the
predominantly from working class Ethnic minorities in the UK are more likely to elderly’s greater participation in religions.
backgrounds. Lawes also found that ‘lifelong hold religious beliefs and engage in religious
1. The ageing effect
atheists’ (non-believers) were a minority but practices than White British. However
tended to be more relevant to those with a Modood et al. suggest that the more The ageing effect: As people come closer to the
middle-class background. generations that exist within a community, end of their life, their interest in spirituality and
the lower their rate of religious participation. religion increases. This may be due to a
Rural areas
growing concern about the afterlife, seeking
Bruce
Statistics suggest that churches in more forgiveness for past sins or seeking company
affluent, rural areas tend to have higher Bruce argues that religion can provide within the church community.
attendances. support and a sense of identity when ethnic
1. The generational or period effect
minority groups come to the UK. He argues
School catchment
ethnic minorities will use religion in one of The generational or period effect: The current
Voas and Watt point out that churches that are two ways. elderly generation may be more religious due to
affiliated with successful schools tend to have their upbringing which was less secure and
1. Cultural defence
high attendance statistics. This may be due to more religious than today’s youth.
parents attending the church to ensure that Religion can be used as a way to unite a
Young people and religion
their child gains an advantage in enrolling into community against change or hostility from
the best schools in the local area. Therefore, wider society. For example, African-Caribbean Some sociologists focus on reasons why the young
church attendance does not always mean that Christians who experience racism can use are less interested in religion and the ‘virtual
a person has religious belief. religion to overcome these barriers. Cultural collapse of religious socialisation.’
defence is a way to protect and defend your Decline of Sunday school
New religious movements
heritage when it is under attack.
Trends suggest that middle class people are Arweck and Beckford claim that it is increasingly
1. Cultural transition unlikely for parents to pass their religious beliefs to
more likely to feel attached to traditional
their children. For example traditional Sunday
churches whereas working class people are Religion is used by ethnic minority groups to Schools which used to be widespread are now very
drawn more to new religious movements. This help them assimilate into British culture. This rare in the UK.
is because new religious movements often lack will make the individual feel part of society.
hierarchy in their structures. Hierarchies can Increasing individualisation
Age and Religion
be seen as forms of authority that working- Mayo suggests that religion has become a personal
class believers may want to distance Statistics on religious belief and church choice rather than an enforced aspect of our
themselves from. attendance suggest that the elderly are more identities. Even faith based schools take a more
religious than any other generation. liberal approach to introducing children to religious
