Alternative to secularisation

What does Davie argue + criticms and support

Davie

Davie argued religion is not becoming secular but rather privatised. Less people are attending church etc and rather performing religious activities at home. They follow parts of a religion that speaks to them. She called this ‘believing without belonging’. 

Bibby agrees with Davie arguing only 25% of Canadians go to church with 80% actually believing in God.

Bruce disagrees with Davie arguing if someone is not willing to invest their time at a church and so on, this reflects the strength their religion holds. A person that no longer wants to believe, no longer attends. They refrain from religious activities

Davie also coined the term ‘vicarious religion’. This term highlighted the small community of people who would pray on behalf of others who may believe in God but do not do their own religious duties. She called this ‘believing without belonging’.

H. Legers main points

Hervieu-Leger argues that there has been a dramatic decline of institutional religion this is partly because of what she calls ‘cultural amnesia’, or a loss of collective memory. However, she agrees that religion itself hasn’t disappeared. Instead she argues individual consumerism has replaced collective tradition

People now feel that they have a choice as the consumers of religion -> they have become spiritual shoppers.

Children have been taught for centuries about religion in both extended family and parish church. However now we have largely lost the religion that used to be handed down as few parents teach about religion as parents now tend to let their children decide for themselves what to believe

What were the two new religions Leger identified?

Pilgrims - They follow individual path in a search for self discovery for example, through joining groups or individual ‘therapy’.

Converts: Religious groups that offer a strong sense of belonging, usually based on a shared ethnic background or other beliefs. For example, Evangelical movements or churches of ethnic minorities.

Lyon and who he agrees with + what type of sociologist is he? + criticism

Postmodernist

• "Disembedding" and "Relocation": Technology like the internet and television allow religion is no longer tied to a specific time, place, or institution like a church.

• The "Sphere of Consumption": People are becoming "spiritual shoppers" who select religious beliefs and practices that are useful to them, similar to how they choose any other consumer product.

• "Re-enchantment" vs. "Disenchantment": Lyon criticizes the traditional secularization theory that predicts a decline in religion due to scientific rationality. Instead, he argues that we are in a period of "re-enchantment," with the growth of unconventional beliefs and spirituality alongside the decline of traditional religion

Criticism:

Voas and Crockett: These sociologists conducted research (using British Social Attitudes surveys) that directly contradicts the "believing without belonging" theory. Their evidence suggests that both church attendance (belonging) and belief in God are declining simultaneously, meaning that belief is not simply becoming privatized

What is Hellands religion online and online religion?

Religion online is a top-down communication where a religious organisation uses the internet to address members and potential converts. There is no feedback or dialogue between the parties.

Online religion: This is a form of ‘cyber-religion’ that may have no existence outside the internet. It is a new form of religious communication that has no hierarchical relationship and a built community where people can visit virtual worship or meditation spaces, explore shared spiritual interests and provide mutual support

Self- religions and the New Age

The New Age reject the obligation and obedience of an external authority. Instead they emphasise the idea of life as a journey of discovery, personal development and connecting with out ‘inner self’.

Their key idea is individualism for example spiritual shopping. Picking out what they like and dislike in a religion, what they are and are not drawn to.

What is the Religious Market Theory and who developed it? + Criticisms

Proposed by Stark & Bainbridge (1986), Religious Market Theory (or Rational Choice Theory) argues that religion operates like a market where people make choices based on costs and rewards. It rejects the idea of a “golden age” of religion and claims the demand for religion is constant because it meets human needs. Religion provides compensators for unattainable rewards (e.g. immortality), and new religions arise when established ones decline—creating a continuous cycle of decline, renewal, and revival

Criticisms:

• Bruce (2011): Rejects the idea that competition increases religiosity; both Europe and America show religious decline.

• Misrepresentation: Stark & Bainbridge misrepresent secularisation as universal decline, when it’s long-term and region-specific.

• Cultural Differences: Norris & Inglehart show Catholic countries with monopolies (e.g. Ireland, Venezuela) can still have high religiosity.

• Assumes rational choice: Beckford says it’s unsociological to assume people are “naturally religious” and freely choose religion.

What is Norris and Inglehart’s (2011) existential security theory?

They reject Religious Market Theory, arguing that religiosity differences stem from varying levels of existential security, not religious choice. Religion meets a need for security—so societies where survival feels secure (rich countries) have low religiosity, while insecure societies (poor countries facing risks like famine or disaster) have high religiosity. Thus, demand for religion is greatest where people feel least secure.

How do Norris & Inglehart explain differences in religiosity between Europe and America?

Western Europe is highly secular due to strong welfare states that provide existential security (healthcare, pensions, social services). America is more religious because it’s more unequal and insecure—its weaker welfare safety net and individualistic “dog-eat-dog” culture create greater anxiety and need for religion. However, even America is less religious than poorer countries.

What are the key evaluations and summary points for secularisation and security theory?

• Vásquez (2007): Criticises Norris & Inglehart for using only quantitative data and ignoring qualitative meanings of religion.

• Uruguay Case Study (Gill & Lundegaarde): Uruguay’s low religiosity despite diversity supports existential security theory, not Religious Market Theory.

• Summary: Religion declines in secure, welfare-based societies but persists in insecure, poorer ones. While religion may change form (e.g. spirituality), existential security theory best explains global religiosity trends.