Ethnicity

Item J

There are different sociological explanations of the relationship between ethnicity and religious beliefs and practices. Some sociologists argue that religion plays an important part in the lives of many minority ethnic groups, providing a mechanism for cultural defence and cultural transition. However, other sociologists argue that there has been a decline in the importance of religion for most ethnic groups.

Applying material from Item J and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of the relationship between ethnicity and religious beliefs and practices. (20 marks)

‘plays an important part’

  • Religion is often prioritised by those in minority ethnic groups - especially those who have immigrated/in developing countries

  • Norris and Inglehart - developing countries which lack economic stability are going to be religious

  • Almond - economic problems and Western imperialism are both reasons for the rise of religious fundamentalism in these countries

  • People can turn to religions on a spectrum - fundamentalist or less strict forms of religion in these times

  • C - fails to consider ethnic minorities who are middle class

‘mechanism for cultural defence and cultural transition’

  • Cultural defence - becoming religious in times of hostility to maintain cultural identity and find community

  • Cultural transition - provides stability and familiarity when immigrating

  • When black people were rejected from the church, they created their own (example of defence).

    • Black Pentecostalism specifically emerged due to hostility and exclusion

  • C - Doesn’t take intersectional features into account

‘decline in the importance of religion’

  • The world in general is becoming more secular

  • Weber - rationalisation

    • Scientific ideas are increasing and religious ideas get cancelled out

    • Bruce - technological worldview - people take religion less seriously due to scientific explanations

  • Stats like British Attitudes Survey and Census show that religion is decreasing in all ethnicities

  • C - Beckford - opposing views can strengthen a religion