A Level Sociology



A Level Sociology Beliefs in SocietyTopic 4:Religion, Renewal and Choice (Postmodernity) Learning objectives:Understand the reasons why some Sociologists reject the idea of SecularisationBe able to analyse alternative interpretations of the nature of religion todayUnderstand and be able to evaluate debates about the extent of SecularisationWe will study secularisation in more detail as part of the next topic but for now you should be aware of the main arguments. AO1 Knowledge, Summarise below:Postmodernity and ReligionFirstly, Postmodernists do not judge whether religion is a positive or negative force within society. (Like structural theories do.) They do argue that rather than fading away (secularisation) religion is changing and becoming more privatised. Whilst some traditional religion is in decline, other new forms of religion are emerging as a result of greater individualism, choice and consumerism. Davie (2007) argues against Secularisation theory (this theory argues that the influence of religion in society is on a long term decline) She argues that religion has become a matter of choice rather than obligation and people may now practice ‘belief without belonging.’ AO2 Application: How is religion becoming more privatised? Provide examples. Davie also suggests a trend towards ‘vicarious religion.’ In societies like Britain, despite lower church attendance people still use the church for ‘rites of passage’ such as baptism and weddings. Additionally she argues that in Europe major national churches have become a ‘Spiritual Health Service’ a bit like NHS, it’s there for everyone to use when they need to. People may also be drawn to the church at times of national crisis, for example following the death of Princess Diana church attendance rose. Church attendance may also be higher at times of economic crisis and recession. Davie rejects the view that religion will be replaced by Science, but rather they will coexist. Criticisms:Voas and Crockett (2005) do not accept Davie’s claim that there is more believing without belonging, evidence from the British Social Attitudes Survey from 1983 to 2000 shows that both church attendance and belief in God are declining. In addition, Bruce adds that it is fair to say that if people are not willing to invest time in the church, that they are becoming less religious. Spiritual Shopping:Danielle Hervieu Leger (2000, 2006) continues the theme of personal choice and belief without belonging, she agrees there has been a decline in institutional religion in Europe. This is due to ‘cultural amnesia’ or loss of a collective memory. Religion is no longer handed down from generation to generation because few parents now teach their children about religion, instead parents now allow children to decide for themselves. Young people no longer inherit a fixed religious identity. Traditional religion has been replaced with consumerism, individuals now feel they have choice and have become ‘spiritual shoppers.’ People develop their own DIY set of beliefs, for example through a ‘pick and mix’ approach to religion. AO2 Application: Record some examples of pick n mix approaches:Religion has become a ‘spiritual journey’ - we choose the elements we wish to explore and the groups we wish to join. Two religious groups are emerging: Activity AO1 knowledge. Use page 30 of the textbook to read about these two groups and make notes.Pilgrims:Converts:Religion and Globalisation: Activity: Record your ideas using the diagram below.center4399500Postmodern religion:Lyon agrees with Davie that belief without belonging is increasingly popular, he argues that traditional religion is giving way to new forms of religion. Lyon argues that a postmodern society has a number of different features that are changing the nature of religion. These include, globalisation, the increasing importance of the media and telecommunications and the growth of consumerism. Televangelism and the electronic church is an example of this. He argues that boundaries of different areas of social life have become blurred. He describes a Harvest Day Crusade held at Disneyland rather than in a church as one such example, as a result religion becomes de-institutionalised. Individuals have become ‘religious consumers’ and there is a loss of faith in the metanarrative, theories or worldviews that claim to have an absolute truth. Postmodernists call this ‘the death of the metanarrative.’ This is because of people’s exposure to a range of competing beliefs. Postmodernists like Lyon, however argue that the increase in the range of beliefs means that individuals can sample and construct their own personal belief system. Stretch yourself! AO3 Evaluation: How can we criticise Lyon’s view? Online religion and religion online:Helland (2000) distinguishes between two kinds of internet activity. Religion online:Is a form of top down communication where a religious organisation uses the internet to address members and potential converts. There is no feedback or dialogue between the parties. This is an electronic version of traditional hierarchical churches. Online religion: 4390437799200This is a form of cyber religion that may have no existence without the internet. It is a many to many form of communication that allows individuals to create non-hierarchical relationships and a sense of community where they can visit virtual worship or meditation spaces. Activity: AO2 Application: Visit Twitter and find an example of each of the above and record in the space below: New Age beliefs: Many of the new forms of religion that postmodernists such as Lyon refer to are New Age practices and beliefs. New Age spirituality rejects the idea of obligation and obedience to authority, instead it emphasises life as an individual spiritual journey of discovery, personal development and autonomy. The key idea that links all these features together is individualism. RECAP: AO2 Application: Why are women attracted to New Age beliefs and practices? Lyon criticises secularisation theory for assuming that religion is declining and being replaced by science and contrary to Weber’s view that the world has become disenchanted he argues that rather than declining religion is simply changing. Lyon argues we are in a period of ‘re-enchantment.’ Traditional religion has declined but there are a growing number of non-traditional religions. A spiritual revolution? Some sociologists argue that ‘spiritual revolution’ is taking place today, in which traditional Christianity is giving way to ‘holistic spirituality’ or New Age spiritual beliefs. AO2 application – what are the key features of both religion and spirituality? Religion Spirituality Read the work of Heelas and Woodhead (2005) and answer the following questions: In their study of Kendal, Cumbria what did Heelas and Woodhead investigate? What were the two groups they distinguished between? What did they find in a typical week? Complete the table below with their findings on each: Traditional Church Evangelical Church Holistic milieuAO3 Evaluation:Read and summarise the points Bruce makes (pg 33) in regards to ‘the weakness of the New Age.’ Religious Market Theory: This has elements of both functionalist and postmodernist ideas. In common with functionalism Stark and Bainbridge (1985) argue there will always be a need for religion in some form. Religion offers compensators which make up for problems elsewhere. Unlike secular beliefs religion can offer supernatural compensators such as life after death which will always be attractive. However like postmodernists they also suggest believers shop around for the type of faith that offers them the best rewards and the least costs. Religious groups compete and improve their “products” to attract followers. There is no overall religious decline. Instead some groups fade while others come forward. Over time the picture changes again and religions can revive, slip back and change form in all sorts of ways.In their view religion is most likely to stay strong where there are a lot of faiths competing for followers such as in the USA. However, religion might struggle in societies with a dominant religion which lacks strong competition, e.g. in many European countries.Evaluation:Although there is some evidence to support religious market theory, there are weaknesses as well. Diversity can weaken religion as well as encourage it. Some mono-religious societies seem to be deeply religious while countries with a range of religions like Australia appear to have weak religion. Most fundamentally have Stark and Bainbridge proved that religion meets basic human needs? Do people really choose religions in the ways they describe?An alternative approach is Existential Security Theory developed by Norris and Inglehart (2004). They reject religious market theory which they say only applies to the USA. They argue that religion flourishes where there is a lack of existential security. In developing countries there are often serious risks to life and livelihood such as famine and natural disaster and this encourages an interest in religion which offers support. The poor in richer countries feel a relative lack of security due to low pay, higher unemployment and other problems and this can also encourage religiosity. However most people in richer societies and the rich everywhere do not have these worries and are much less likely to be religious. Population growth is highest in developing countries and among low income groups in richer countries and this means that the world is currently becoming less secular. The USA remains quite religious because it is a very unequal society with a very individualistic culture which tends to leave the poor at greater risk, e.g. it has limited public health services and benefits. It is still less religious than developing societies. However European countries are less unequal and this makes them less religious.Existential security theory receives support from Gill and Lundegaarde (2004) who found that religious participation declines as societies spend more on welfare. In the past – and still in many developing countries – religious groups provided the majority of welfare and sometimes healthcare and education. They believe though that religion will survive because it answers ultimate questions which people will always have no matter their level of security.EvaluationVasquez criticizes Norris and Inglehart for an over-reliance on quantitative data and a lack of attention to the positive reasons why people may be religious. Look closely at their ideas and suggest other criticisms and an overall evaluation of their idea that religion declines as people become wealthier and more secure.Exam Questions:Outline and explain two reasons why figures on church attendance may overstate the degree of secularisation in Britain today (10) Paragraph 1Paragraph 2 Reason Item Quote Sociological evidence ExplanationExamples Associated concepts Evaluation (If required) Item AGlobalisation means that the world has become increasingly connected. This had had an impact on all aspects of life including religion. Some sociologists argue that religion is an individual journey of personal fulfilment and has become a form of consumption. Additionally, the internet has changed the nature of worship. Applying material from item A and you own knowledge analyse two ways in which globalisation has changed the nature of religious beliefs and practices. (10) Paragraph 1Paragraph 2 Ways Item Quote Sociological evidence ExplanationExamples Associated conceptsEvaluation Item BSome Sociologists claim that society has entered a new era, that of postmodernity, in which religion and spirituality take on new forms. In postmodern society, tradition loses its influence over people. Consumption and choice become more important and people are free to choose their identity and their beliefs. Postmodern society is increasingly globalised, and the media and information technology become much more important, for example moving religious ideas and images out of their traditional physical home in churches and making them available around the globe. Applying material from item A and your own knowledge, evaluate the impact of postmodernity on religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. (20) P1 Introduction P2P3P4P5P6Conclusion Introductory sentence/paragraph? Used the item x 3 5 Sociologists names? Sociological theories/Perspectives?Conceptually detailed? Evaluation? Examples? Conclusions?Key Concepts: Belief without belongingVicarious religion Spiritual Health Service Spiritual shoppingPilgrims Converts Globalisation Televangelism Religion onlineOnline religion New Age spirituality Re-enchantment Congregational domain Holistic milieu Religious market theory Eurocentrism Compensators Existential security theory ................
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