bare min sociology beliefs in society

Religion unites society by reinforcing shared norms and values; totemism in Aboriginal tribes.

Durkheim

Religion helps people cope with life crises and uncertainty.

Malinowski

Religion gives meaning to life events and legitimates core norms and values.

Parsons

Religion dulls oppression and justifies inequality — "opium of the people."

Marx

Religion can maintain ruling class power but also inspire working-class resistance.

Gramsci

Calvinist beliefs encouraged capitalism by promoting hard work and discipline.

Weber

Religion can support social change but is declining in modern society.

Bruce

People still believe but don’t attend — “believing without belonging.”

Davie

Belief and attendance both declining, especially among youth.

Voas and Crockett

Church attendance overstated — people claim to go more than they do.

Hadaway

Religion is now online and part of a spiritual marketplace.

Lyon

Migrants use religion for identity and support in new societies.

Lehman

Religion thrives with choice and competition — like a market.

Stark and Bainbridge

Secularisation is rising — religion losing influence.

Wilson

New Age beliefs rising; spiritual revolution seen in Kendal study.

Heelas and Woodhead

Three NRM types: world-rejecting, world-accommodating, world-affirming.

Wallis

Religion still matters — belief may be private or online, so underreported.

Aldridge

Late modernity creates anxiety — religion offers meaning and stability.

Giddens

People use religion to resist marginalisation and reclaim identity.

Castells

Postmodern society rejects big ideologies, including religion.

Lyotard

Religion is now chosen, not inherited — people build their own beliefs.

Hervieu-Léger

Religion is patriarchal — male gods, sacred texts controlled by men.

De Beauvoir

Pentecostalism empowers women by encouraging men to change behaviour.

Madden

Religion supports male power — churches exclude women.

Gorard

Identified types of religious organisations: churches, sects, denominations, cults.

Troeltsch

Religion dulls oppression and justifies inequality — "opium of the people."

Marx

Science progresses through testing and falsifying — unlike religion.

Popper

Science developed due to Protestant values like discipline and rationality.

Merton

Religion is an ideological state apparatus that maintains ruling class dominance.

Althusser

Family is an ideological state apparatus, passing ruling class ideology.

Althusser (family)