3. Religion and Social Position Sociology of Religion 3. Religion and Social Position

Outline Trends in religiosity, in terms of factors such as Class Age Gender Ethnicity The appeal of new religious movements/New Age movements to different social groups

Headlines 2011 census (vs 2001)

Social Class in UK: 7 Classes

Social class and religion in UK In UK, no strong relationship between class and religiosity Why? Weaker class identities, religious “shopping around”, … But … Belief: Jews more middle class Practice: middle classes more regular attendees Employment: Christians have more middle-class jobs Education Highest: non-religious people Next: Jews and Hindus Lowest: Christians and Muslims

Socioeconomic factors and religion Religion was a source of status, for upper and middle classes And a way of reinforcing respectability Now, not so much High religious affiliation associated with low social deprivation (O’Beirn) except for Muslims

Age: religious affiliation by year of birth Source: British Social Attitudes survey 1983-2010, pooled. Based on work by Siobhan McAndrew for British Religion in Numbers

Age and religiosity Older people have more religious affiliation Also more likely to believe in God Consistently, over 60% of young people say they have no religion And increasing numbers of adults Decline in Sunday school attendance From 55% in 1900 to 4% in 2000 But, little age difference in “basic” Christian beliefs

Age: Belief in God among old and young (%) Source: British Social Attitudes survey 2008

Age: Why the differences? Religion now has to compete with many other activities Traditional forms of religion struggle Compare gospel-style service https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEAjk-OqNX0 with traditional Anglican service https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIIeA1tW1rs Religions losing ability to control people’s thoughts e.g. fundamentalist beliefs against abortion, contraception, gays are a “big turn-off” for young people (Robins et al 2002) Disengagement as people age e.g. due to physical illness

Gender and religiosity Women are more religious than men, in all countries and cultures, in all aspects: Affilitation Belief Participation (except Muslims) Men more likely to be atheistic, agnostic Long-term trend BUT men monopolise the positions of authority in religious organisations! (USA)

Gender: Why the difference? Patriarchical society In a male-dominated world, religion provides shelter, safety, belonging Attractive for women, but price = submission to male control If raised in more patriarchal family, more likely to accept Most fundamentalists desire a return to traditional gender roles Evolutionary psychology: males exhibit more risky behaviour i.e., not believing in God

Ethnicity and religiosity Varied levels of religious diversity in different ethnic groups Big differences in non-religious affiliation Possible validity issue: “not stated” may include NRMs, etc.

Religion is important in identity for non-white, non-Christians By ethnic group Whites: religion is 10th most important aspect of identity Asians: 2nd most important By religion Christians: religion is 7th most important aspect of identity Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus: 2nd most important Pakistani and Bangladeshi minorities very religious, and very poor But Christians: middle and upper classes more religious

Ethnicity: Why the differences? Christianity is no longer needed by whites for community, identity (Bruce 1995) e.g., don’t need physical space any more to belong to a group! Instead Christianity has retreated into the private sphere except for marriages, deaths, etc. But for immigrants it is different They come from a place where religion was very important They face a hostile or indifferent world in UK They are in a minority and at odds with the rest of society So they use religion to hang on to sense of cultural and ethnic identity in their new country

New Religious Movements (NRMs) Hard to measure, because There are many and they change a lot, so are hard to classify They are not represented in the traditional list of religions Seem to appeal most to young, white, middle class females Why? No consensus … Perhaps because they offer alternative meanings, life strategies, ethical codes (Chryssides 2000) Perhaps they appeal to those with ‘subjective deprivation’ No real material deprivation (material needs satisfied) but a hunger for spiritual fulfillment