Beliefs - Variation between groups in religiosity

Which gender is more likely to be religious?

women

What was the gender split in congregations?

57% women, 43% men

What are the 3 reasons for women being more religious according to Miller and Hoffman?

risk taking,socialisation, gender roles

Why does risk taking lead to women being more religious?

not being religious risks being sent to hell and women are more risk averse so they are more likely to be religious as a result

How has socialisation led to women being more religious?

women are taught to be passive, obedient and caring which aligns with religious teachings so women are more attracted to religion, men with these traits are also more likely to be religious

How do gender roles lead to women being more religious?

women are more likely to work part time as a result so they have more time to participate in religious activities and religion provides gender identity

How does status frustration lead to women being more religious?

women may lack personal fulfilment or status due to being at home or in lower middle class jobs and religion could help compensate for this

How does social deprivation and marginality lead to women being more likely to be religious?

social deprivation and marginality can lead to disillusionment and alienation so women look for support with religion which also offers explanation and solution

What percentage of participants in holistic activities are women?

80%

What is the spiritual revolution?

traditional religion is declining and new age spirituality is growing

Why are women more likely to participate in new age spirituality?

women experience greater social change in the last 100 years and NAS focuses on self development, personal growth and healing which is against the patriarchy

Why may women be turned away from traditional religion?

male dominated and patriarchal

Why are middle class women attracted to NAMs?

focus on individual autonomy and self - development which lends itself to the education and careers of middle class women

Why may W/C women be more attracted to traditional religion?

they are more fatalistic religion which allows them so seek luck and believe they have no control over their situation

What are the three reasons for EM to be more religious?

country of origin, cultural defence and cultural transition

Why does country of origin lead to EM being more religious?

EM originate from countries where religion is more common

What is cultural defence?

offers and cultural identity in a hostile environment which helps them to preserve their culture and cope with oppression

What is cultural transition?

support and community in a new country aiding the transition

Why are second generation immigrants less likely to be religious?

religion has lost its purpose as cultural transition

Who came up with the idea of cultural defence and transition?

Bruce

What are the 5 reason for EM being more religious according to Bird?

society has a high level of religiosity, community and solidarity, maintained cultural identity, socialisation of children, way to cope with oppression

What is an example of an EM using religion adapt to a new society according to Pryce?

Pentecostalism helped African Caribbean immigrants adapt to British society

What is the ageing effect?

the older you get the more likely you are to be religious because you are closer to death and so are more concerned about the afterlife

What is the period effect?

older people are more likely to be religious because of the events they lived through

What is the main reason for younger people being less religious according to Voas and Crockett?

each generation becomes less religious due to secularisation

What percentage of churches have no members under 20?

50%

What percentage of young people does Brierley say attend church?

2.5%

What churches attract young people?

Pentecostal and evangelical churches

What did Arweck and Beckford say about religious socialisation?

collapse of ‘virtual socialisation’ as there is no Sunday school and parents with religion only have a 50/50 chance of raising a religious child

What did Clemence find about who is more likely to be religious?

people with higher economic status are less likely to be religious compared to w/c people

What percentage of church goers are middle class?

62%

Why may middle class be more likely to be religious?

protestant work ethic matches with ‘middle class’ values