Topic 4:Religion,renewal and choice

New forms of religion

· some sociologists argue that society isn’t completely secular, while traditional religions may be declining, other newer religions are emerging often as a result of changes in wider society such as greater individualism, choice and consumerism.

From obligation to consumption

• Davie (2013) argues that there was an obligation to go to church as it was the norm but in modern society its now due to choice and consumerism.
• Davie argues that religion isn’t declining but simply taking a different, more privatised form. Despite this people are still holding onto religious beliefs (believing without belonging)
• Vicarious religion is now becoming more of a trend, this means religion practiced by an active minority on behalf of the majority who experience it second-hand. In Europe major churches are seen as public utilities or ‘Spiritual Health Service’ (it’s there when you need it like the NHS). Davie compares vicarious religion to an iceberg; the surface appears the smaller commitment but underneath lies a wider commitment

· Voas and Crockett (2005) don’t accept Davies claim of believing but not belonging, evidence shows that both beliefs and attendance levels are declining together. Bruce adds that if people aren’t willing to invest themselves in religious practice then are they really believers?

Spiritual shopping:

• Hervieu-Leger(2000) blames the decline of religious obligation on 'cultural amnesia',before children were socialised into religious belief however the view that religion is passed down throughgenerations has been forgotten.Also,the trend towards equality has banished the churches view of there being an almighty.
• People in the modern day have developed their own 'do it yourself' beliefs taht gives meaning t to our lives and fit in with our own interests and aspirations(spiritual shopping).
• Hervieu-Leger argues that two new religious types are emerging:
• 1)Pilgrims-Those who follow their individual paths in search for self discovery-emphasises personal development) and
• 2)Converts-those who join religious groups in order to belong to a community,it may be based around ethnicity-such groups recreate a sense of community that has been lost in society due to loss in religious traditions)
• Related to postmodernity due to the increased individualisation.

Postmodern religion:

• Lyon agrees that believing without belonging is becoming increasingly popular,he states that the postmodernist society we now live in is changing the nature of religion (these include globalisation,the importance of the media and the growth of consumerism).
• Religious ideas have become 'disembedded' from churches and spread across the media due to globalisation, e.g. televangelism has relocated religion onto the media allowing believers to express their faith without needing to attend church.This has resulted in religion becoming deinstitutionalised,it has removed from its original location in a way that people can adapt it for their own purposes.
• Hellend(2000) distinguishes 2 types of internet activity involving religious organisations:1)Religion online-where the religious organisation talks to their followers/coverts without any dialogue,an electronic version of their herarchical communication and 2)online religion-a community where individuals can visit virtual worship,explore shared spiritual interests and provide mutual support.
• As Hervieu-Leger noted within…