Religion and class

What’s the big thing about religion that Marx said?

“opium of the people”

What did Budd observe about how early capitalists weaponised religion?

They used it to keep the masses “sober and hard working”. She cites Methodism as an example.

What religion utilises a caste system to justify social inequality and what other religion can we compare this to?

Hinduism- this mirrors the Christian Great Chain of Being

What does neomarxist Gramsci say that religion can do?

As much as it reinforces hegemony it can also form a counter hegemonic bloc when preached by the right leaders (e.g. MLK)

How does Billings apply neomarxist ideas of religion to reality?

He observed how in Kentucky during the 20s/30s coal miners and textile workers were both evangelical protestants but behaved very differently. Coal miners were militant unionists whilst textile workers were passive, perfectly illustrating religion’s dual character.

What kind of NRM attracts middle class people?

world affirming

What do Voas and Watt observe about high middle class church attendance in the UK?

It is often a ploy to get their kids enrolled in top schools (which are often religious)

Why does Martin say that middle class church attendance is so high despite their lower levels of religiosity?

They see it as an opportunity to network and build a good reputation.

what types of NRMs do the working class join most often?

World rejecting/affirming

What is Weber’s theodicy of disprivelege?

This is the idea that oppressed people see their subjugated status as a test of faith for which they will be rewarded after death..

What sect shows how the dispriveleged are often attracted to world rejecting NRMs?

Jim Jones’ people’s temple which recruited mostly from elderly black women in the US across the 50s/60s/70s

How does Barker evaluate the w/c attraction to world rejection?

The moonies- although being world rejecting- have a mostly middle class congregation

Why do Ahern and Davie think w/c people reject traditional religion?

Big churches are mostly associated with wealthy authority figures.

Who do new age movements appeal to the most?

Middle class women. However, working class women still engage with them frequently via supernatural practises.

What is Lawes’ theory of lifelong theists/atheists?

working class people are more likely to hold onto their beliefs for life but this statistic is skewed by ethnicity. Lifelong atheism is most commonly observed in white, middle class people.

What 2 sources link class and church attendance?

1. YouGov found in 2015 that 62% of churchgoers were middle class

2. Ashworth and Farthing found that people on benefits are less likely to go to church