Religiosity and social groups (ethnicity)

Reason for ethnic differences

• Most minority ethnic groups originate from poorer counties with traditional cultures both of which produce higher levels of religious belief and practice

• On arrival to the uk they and their children maintain the pattern thy brought with them from their country of origin.

Ethnicity and religiosity

Increase in ethnic minority in the uk have seen increases in religious diversity Eg Muslims and Hindus,Sikhs almost all belonging to minority ethnic groups

There are clear ethnic patterns in relegions participation with with higher attendance amongst non-white

Modwood found a decline in the importance of religion in all ethnic groups especially amongst the 2nd generation.

Cultural defence

Bruce argues that higher levels of religiosity among ethnic minority groups can be explained by religion acting as a form of cultural defence. In situations where these groups face racism, discrimination, or cultural marginalisation, religion can offer support and a sense of stability and belonging. Sociologist Bird adds that religion helps preserve culture, language, and traditions, while also creating a strong sense of community solidarity. For example, many Black Caribbean and African migrants arriving in the UK found that white-majority churches wereunwelcoming or did not reflect their worship styles. As a result, they joined or established Black-led churches, especially Pentecostal ones, where they felt accepted and could worship in culturally familiar ways. This pattern continues today, as seen in the significant growth of ethnic-specific churches in London, often linked to more recent migrants from Africa, Asia, or Eastern Europe. These churches help people maintain their identity, deal with exclusion, and pass on cultural values to the next generation, showing that religion is deeply connected to ethnic resilience and survival in a sometimes hostile environment.

Cultural transition

Sociologists argue that religion plays an important role in cultural transition, helping migrants adapt when moving from one country to another. Bruce says that religion offers a familiar space in an unfamiliar society, supporting integration into British life. New migrants often turn to religious communities like mosques, temples, and gurdwarasbecause they provide both emotional comfort and practical support, helping them feel at home. Bird supports this, arguing that arriving in a more secular society like the UK can be a culture shock for those from deeply religious countries. Religion, in this case, helps maintain cultural identity, values, and traditions, and also provides socialisation for the next generation. These communities offer practical help too—such as contacts for jobs, housing, and legal advice—which helps newcomers settle more quickly. Bruce believes that religion performs this integration function, but also suggests that once migrants are settled, religiosity declines. However, there’s little evidence to support this. In fact, many ethnic minority groups remain highly religious even after settling. One criticism is that Bruce’s research focused mainly on white Jewish migrants, so his findings may not apply to other groups, like Black, Asian, or African-Caribbean communities, who may face more racism and exclusion, making religion even more important for long-term support and :

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Religion as an identity

• Johan argues the religion is an important form of identity ina n increasingly multi cultural society

• Support Davie arguments that religion is an important part of cultural identity

• Kurtz Islam sees family as important and this forms part of individuals identity

Evaluations

• Ethnicity alone cannot be seen as the only factor of religious participation as religious beliefs are often affected by other fcators such as need to belong and reaction to oppression

• Denial in faith is more common in white groups this might have greater social consequences for other ethnic groups .

• Increase choice in religion mean less ties between ethnicity and patterns of religious beliefs for example black African will practise a wide range of faith Islam and Christianity as the 2 most prominent by no means do all black Africans only follow one of these to religions .Making it difficult to measure by religious attendance alone .

Sociologists argue that religion plays an important role in cultural transition, helping migrants adapt when moving from one country to another. Bruce says that religion offers a familiar space in an unfamiliar society, supporting integration into British life. New migrants often turn to religious communities like mosques, temples, and gurdwarasbecause they provide both emotional comfort and practical support, helping them feel at home. Bird supports this, arguing that arriving in a more secular society like the UK can be a culture shock for those from deeply religious countries. Religion, in this case, helps maintain cultural identity, values, and traditions, and also provides socialisation for the next generation. These communities offer practical help too—such as contacts for jobs, housing, and legal advice—which helps newcomers settle more quickly. Bruce believes that religion performs this integration function, but also suggests that once migrants are settled, religiosity declines. However, there’s little evidence to support this. In fact, many ethnic minority groups remain highly religious even after settling. One criticism is that Bruce’s research focused mainly on white Jewish migrants, so his findings may not apply to other groups, like Black, Asian, or African-Caribbean communities, who may face more racism and exclusion, making religion even more important for long-term support and :