The Relationship Between Religion and Ethnicity

What are the main ethnic minority groups in the UK?

Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian, Irish, African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese.

What percentage of UK citizens identified as Christian according to the 2011 Census?

59.5%.

What is the total percentage for non-Christian religions in the UK according to the 2011 Census?

7.7%.

How important is religion to different ethnicities?

White Christians placed it 10th, 70% of Black Christians placed it 3rd, Asians placed it 2nd, and people of mixed race backgrounds placed it 7th.

What percentage of Muslims actively practice their religion?

80%.

What has increased within mainstream churches and Black-led Pentecostal and Baptist churches?

Observance of African forms of Christianity.

What does Bruce suggest about the role of religious institutions for immigrants?

They provide a community focal point.

What is the concept of cultural transition in relation to ethnicity and religion?

Religion can help immigrants cope with migration stress and provide a familiar community.

What do Marxists believe about ethnic minority religions?

They create a sense of false consciousness.

What did Weber find about ethnic minority groups in the UK?

They tend to be economically deprived and socially disadvantaged.

How do functionalists view the role of religion in terms of cultural defense?

Religion supports and preserves identity, culture and language.

According to the 2011 Census, what percentage of people stated they had no religion?

25.7%.

What is the criticism of functionalism regarding religious communities?

Overstates religion as a source of community and ignores divisions within ethnic minority religions.

How do some sociologists view the role of Mosques for Muslim women?

They provide a focus for social life and community.

What argument do critics present against Marxism in the context of religion?

It suffers from economic reductionism and does not account for positive social change promoted by religions.

What is the existential security theory according to Norris and Inglehart?

It argues low demand for religion exists among economically or socially secure members of ethnic minorities.