Essentials beliefs in society

Weber (Weberian)

rationalisation leads to the 'disenchantment of the world' as science replaces religion.

Bruce (Secularisation theorist)

technological worldview reduces religious explanations; religion declining in the UK.

Wilson (Secularisation theorist)

decline thesis: long-term fall in church attendance shows secularisation.

Davie (Postmodern)

'believing without belonging' – people still believe but don’t attend church.

Hervieu-Léger (Postmodern)

'spiritual shoppers' – religion becomes individualised and consumer-based.

Stark & Bainbridge (Rational choice)

religious market theory: competition makes religions stronger; religion never declines overall.

Durkheim (Functionalist)

religion creates social solidarity through collective conscience and shared rituals.

Parsons (Functionalist)

religion provides value consensus and helps maintain social order.

Malinowski (Functionalist)

religion helps individuals cope with stress and life crises.

Marx (Marxist)

religion is 'the opium of the people' and legitimates class inequality.

Engels (Marxist)

religion can have revolutionary potential but mostly supports ruling-class control.

Daly (Radical feminist)

religion is patriarchal and oppresses women; male-dominated gods and institutions.

De Beauvoir (Feminist)

religion deceives women by promising rewards in the afterlife to justify oppression.

Woodhead (Feminist)

religion can empower women; e.g., hijab can be a symbol of liberation.

Giddens (Late modernity)

globalisation creates uncertainty, leading to fundamentalism as a return to tradition.

Castells (Postmodern)

fundamentalism = 'resistant identity' formed in response to globalisation.

Bauman (Postmodern)

postmodernity creates fear and choice overload → people turn to fundamentalism for certainty.

Wallis (NRMs)

typology of NRMs: world-rejecting, world-accommodating, world-affirming movements.

Heelas (Postmodern/New Age)

Kendal Project: New Age spirituality growing while traditional religion declines.