Relationship between Social Groups and Religious Beliefs

Relationship between Social Groups and spectral BeliefsAssess sociological explanations of the twainiance between social groups, unearthly opinions and apparitional transcriptionsDifferent social groups, all show dis alike trends in relation to religious beliefs and religious organistions. This test will still in truth briefly touch on the bar of defining religious organisations, as this is non its focus. It shall split the social groups into deuce-ace major categories, come on, paganity and gender and examine to distinguish reasons behind vary levels of religiosity.Religious organisations argon difficult to define. Many sociologists, from Troeltsch to Wilson, examine to define into four various categories, church buildinges, denominations, factions and cults. There however is the problem when there ar components which fit many an separate(prenominal) distinct categories, this can arise when worships change current form (e.g Christianity climb uped polish off as a small sect stock-stilltually becoming a church with its own denominations) as well as times when religions pee-pee properties of multiple categories (the church of Jesus Christ of last mentioned day saints, sect or denomination?). Different social groups atomic number 18 commandly attracted to different religious organisations, in the split up system there is evidence that the great unwashed of lower classes tend to lean towards world-rejecting sects whilst higher classes choose world-accepting churches and cults.There argon clear differences in religious beliefs and participation between genders. Whilst there is a large majority of man world-beater in priesthood running churches (some changes in late times in the Anglican denomination however only break down month, October 21st, numerous new-fashioneds proscribedlets reported how mercenarys within the church were rebelling against such changes are leaving to join Catholicism) the majority of people who practice inside religions are female. This is shown by in 2005 1.8 million women in England were churchgoers, as against 1.36 million men. This back up Miller and Hoffman (1995) thesis that women express greater interest in religion and pay heed church more(prenominal) often. Other sociologists put previous similar theories with Bruce (1996) estimated that twice as many women were in sects then men. In attempt to explain these differences the Davie analyses the differences between women and mens proximity to birth and death, she assumes that men do not grow as close connection to these life-time processes meaning women are next to the ultimate questions. This can be criticised as using the term closer to the ultimate questions is ambiguous, it could mean either closer to pondering about the question or closer to the answer and even without the ambiguity it seems to overlook the men who work in professions where these life processes ofttimes occur and levels of non-belief among them, such as Doctors.An separate explanation put forward for levels of female participation is that religion serves as a compensator for loss. Glock and unappeasable (1969) and Stark and Bainbridge (1985) argue that three main types of deprivation exist which are prevalent among women explaining their high levels of sect membership. These include organismic deprivation, stems from physical and mental wellness problems, ethical deprivation, stems from evidence that women tend to be more morally conservative and social deprivation exists from evidence that women tend to be poorer. Assuming, without evidence, that Stark and Bainbridge carried out extensive research before coming up with their compensation for deprivation thesis it should be analysed to its validity in contemporary society. There bring in been many changes in society, such as wealth of women becoming higher, pay becoming more equal and receiving higher promotions than previously available also there is evidence that w omen tend to vote, what would be generally be considered, more progressive or liberal could challenge Glock, Stark and Bainbridges thesis.In other social groups within society there is also evidence of varying levels of religiosity depending on ethnicity. According to policy studies institute (1997) the majority religions buster themselves with Christianity (around 72%) however different ethnicities pack up this figure, ranging from purity British members to those of black African or Caribbean origin. Other religions exist consisting of Muslims, Hindu and Sikhs make with almost all members coming from ethnic backgrounds originating in the Indian subcontinent. The constitution Studies Institute (1997) showed how white Anglicans where least likely to find their religion as important in their lives comparatively with African Caribbean Protestants who rated their religion as very important in their lives. Muslims were also found to have high levels of belief with Hindus and white Ca tholics being more in the middle of the table.Bruce (2002) attempts to explain these ethnic differences, he argues that religion is utilise as a cultural apology factor, becoming something to be unified downstairs in an uncertain or hostile environment. This explains why migrants are more likely to be religious in a new country and explains why the native universe of discourse inside a country has falling levels of church attendance. Bird (1999) supports this decision he found religion as a unifying power within minorities. He also found that religion can support with coping with oppression in a racist society, this is shown by the white churches in the UK not actively welcoming black Africans or Caribbean Christians. These both seem logical and explain how when migrants are integrated into society they start to leave the church.Will Herberg (1955) gives the reason, which isnt very different than Bruce of Cultural transition, instead of a means in which religion is used to defe nd culture it is used as an integrator into new societies instead. This is also supported by the lessen levels of religiosity among integrated social groups. It is most probable that both are equally relevant to ethnicity and religiosity, this, in fact, was shown by Ken Pyrces (1979) study of the African Caribbean community.There are big differences between the age of people and their religiosity. The general pattern is the former(a) a person is the more likely they are to attend religious services. The English Church numerate, however, found two exceptions to this rule. The under 15s are more likely to attend then other age groups because they are forced to do so by their parents, over 65s were more likely to be sick or injured to attend religious worship. It should be remembered that attendance at church, just as the levels of under 15s show, does not reflect accurately levels of belief. Other age groups could attend church for other elements, such as the social offering of rel igion, rather than the religious doctrine.Voas and Crockett (2005) attempt to explain these differences, they use the concept of the ageing import, which is the view that people childs play to religion as they get older. There is also the generational effect this is where each new generation becomes less religious than the one before. The latter being the imperative as its claimed that each generation is half as religious as previous generations. To evaluate this claim, the ageing effect, people starting line to face their own mortality and turning to church property is in a sense logical. The church offers faith-based answers and provides a world in which death is only the beginning. It seems obvious that people facing the own demise would be attracted by this it could also be supported by the evidence, English Church Census does support the idea that there is a higher number of older people than young in religion. The Kendal project showed people turn to spirituality when they get older therefore making them more likely to attend church. This supports the Ageing factor. The generational effect is supported by the English church census the levels of the 15-19 year olds fell very sharply since 1979, showing how the new generation had a lower level of religiosity.Religiosity varies among lots of different social groups, the people who choose different religions generally all have different reasons for doing so. Ethnicity, gender, class and age are all different reasons why someone would want to join a particular religious organisation and have varying levels of religiosity. What is not explained however is what is the most important element, it is sort of possible for a person to fit into all four categories, be a member of an ethnic minority female working class and young, what would, to this young female, be the most important part of her religiosity and her religious participation.