Social Class and Religion

  • Over-representation of higher social classes in religious participation in the UK

  • Lower levels of belief in the middle class than working class (YouGov 2015)

  • Representation is often based upon the type of religious organisation

  • Lower social classes are more drawn towards religious organisations that promote change - e.g. sects and cult movements

  • Middle class look to New Age Movements, including client cults, as a form of self-improvement

  • Sects appeal to a wide variety, with the middle class seeking out spiritual fulfilment

Marxist views of religion:

  • Marx's view was that religion stopped the working class from questioning the structure of society - the 'opium of the masses'

  • Other Marxists disagreed and suggested that religion could empower the working class

  • Engels and Gramsci saw the revolutionary potential of religious
    organisations

Weber, Class and religion:

  • Weber saw different beliefs based on social class
    position

  • Theodicy of misfortune - appealing to the lower social class by promoting wealth as a sin

  • Theodicy of good fortune - appealing to the middle class by promoting wealth and hard work as a virtue

Religion and social mobility:

  • Hunt (2004) middle class has more liberal views and tends towards less conservative ideologies

  • The middle class is more likely to indulge in self-improvement and individualistic practices such as those promoted by the New Age
    Movements

  • However, conservative ideologies are often found in the ruling class and religion acts to preserve this status quo

Social Class and Postmodernity:

  • The diversity of religious experiences in the postmodern era is a result of middle-class ideologies

  • Greater individualism, choice and affluence promote new forms of spirituality

  • Less choice amongst the working class - tends towards traditional institutions

Evaluations:

  • Debate over extent to which postmodernity has influenced working class - accept status quo or reject
    spirituality

  • Greater choice available to middle class as impacts of consumerism on religious practice give them more choice, e.g. client cults, New Age Movements

  • Upper class maintains traditional views - closely aligned with their ideologies

  • Declining influence of church upon the state