Social Groups & Religion
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 7.3.1
Social Class and Religion
Statistics show different religious movements attract different social classes.
Lawes
- Lawes claims that ‘lifelong theists’ are predominantly from working class backgrounds.
- Lawes also found that ‘lifelong atheists’ (non-believers) were a minority but tended to be more relevant to those with a middle-class background.
Rural areas
- Statistics suggest that churches in more affluent, rural areas tend to have higher attendances.
School catchment
- Voas and Watt point out that churches that are affiliated with successful schools tend to have high attendance statistics.
- This may be due to parents attending the church to ensure that their child gains an advantage in enrolling into the best schools in the local area.
- Therefore, church attendance does not always mean that a person has religious belief.
New religious movements
- Trends suggest that middle class people are more likely to feel attached to traditional churches whereas working class people are drawn more to new religious movements.
- This is because new religious movements often lack hierarchy in their structures.
- Hierarchies can be seen as forms of authority that working-class believers may want to distance themselves from.
Ethnicity and Religion
Ethnic minorities in the UK are more likely to hold religious beliefs and engage in religious practices than White British.
__ Modood et al.__
- Ethnic minorities in the UK are more likely to hold religious beliefs and engage in religious practices than White British.
- However __ Modood et al.__ suggest that the more generations that exist within a community, the lower their rate of religious participation.
Bruce
- Bruce argues that religion can provide support and a sense of identity when ethnic minority groups come to the UK.
- He argues ethnic minorities will use religion in one of two ways.
1. Cultural defence
- Religion can be used as a way to unite a community against change or hostility from wider society.
- For example, African-Caribbean Christians who experience racism can use religion to overcome these barriers.
- Cultural defence is a way to protect and defend your heritage when it is under attack.
2. Cultural transition
- Religion is used by ethnic minority groups to help them assimilate into British culture.
- This will make the individual feel part of society.
Age and Religion
Statistics on religious belief and church attendance suggest that the elderly are more religious than any other generation.
Voas and Crokett
- Statistics on religious belief and church attendance suggest that the elderly are more religious than any other generation.
- Voas and Crokett suggest that there are two different explanations behind the elderly’s greater participation in religions.
1. The ageing effect
- The ageing effect:
- As people come closer to the end of their life, their interest in spirituality and religion increases.
- This may be due to a growing concern about the afterlife, seeking forgiveness for past sins or seeking company within the church community.
2. The generational or period effect
- The generational or period effect:
- The current elderly generation may be more religious due to their upbringing which was less secure and more religious than today’s youth.
Young people and religion
- Some sociologists focus on reasons why the young are less interested in religion and the ‘virtual collapse of religious socialisation.’
Decline of Sunday school
- Arweck and Beckford claim that it is increasingly unlikely for parents to pass their religious beliefs to their children.
- For example traditional Sunday Schools which used to be widespread are now very rare in the UK.
Increasing individualisation
- Mayo suggests that religion has become a personal choice rather than an enforced aspect of our identities.
- Even faith based schools take a more liberal approach to introducing children to religious teachings and tend to focus more on the moral message of the faith.
- Therefore younger generations feel less likely obliged to affiliate with religion compared to previous generations.
Test yourself on Social Groups & Religion
Statistics suggest that churches in which of these areas would have higher attendances?
Who pointed out that churches that are affiliated with successful schools tend to have high attendance statistics?
Why might working class people be more attracted to new religious movements?
Who suggest that there are two different explanations behind the elderly’s greater participation in religions?