Religious Market Theory

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  • Created by: Anjalee
  • Created on: 28-12-12 14:58
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  • Religious Market Theory
    • Stark and Bainbridge claim that the theory is based on two assumptions. -People are naturally religious and religion meets people's needs.             -People weigh up the costs and benefits of the different options available.
      • Religion is seen to compensate by promising supernatural rewards. Competition leads to the improvement of religion.
    • America VS Europe
      • Stark and Bainbridge believe that religion thrives in the US because there has never been a religious monopoly. Most European countries have been dominated by an official state church, such as the Church of England.
    • Criticisms
      • -Useful for understanding the growth of new religions. -Bruce rejects the view that diversity and competition increase the demand for religion. Statitics show that religious diversity is the reason for religious decline.
    • Supply-led Religion
      • Finke argues that lifting restrictions of Asian immigration into America has meant that Asian religions are able to set up permanently in the US. Asian faiths become another option for consumers in the religious marketplace.
  • Stark and Bainbridge believe that religion thrives in the US because there has never been a religious monopoly. Most European countries have been dominated by an official state church, such as the Church of England.
  • Participation increases when there are religious groups to choose from, but declines when supply is restricted. Also the decline of religion is not universal according to S&B.
    • America VS Europe
    • Supply-led Religion
      • Finke argues that lifting restrictions of Asian immigration into America has meant that Asian religions are able to set up permanently in the US. Asian faiths become another option for consumers in the religious marketplace.

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