Patterns and trends of participation and religiosity

Summary of Patterns and Trends in Religious Participation

Over time, there has been a general trend towards the secularisation of society, with many developed countries, including the UK, experiencing a decline in formal religious participation and belief in God.
However, Bruce contradicts this by arguing that the influence of religion has not disappeared but simply moved from the public to the private sphere.
In contrast to the trend of secularisation, there are patterns of increased sectarianism and fundamentalism noted globally. This phenomenon is sometimes termed as resacrilisation.

Variations in Religious Participation and Belief

There are significant contrasts in levels of religious participation between different age groups, with older individuals often showing higher levels of traditional religious participation than younger ones.
Data also suggests that women are more religious than men with a higher level participation in formal religious activities.
Significant differences in religious participation and belief can often be found between different social classes and ethnic groups.

The Rise of Spiritual Shopping and ‘Pick and Mix’ Religions

The growth of individualism in postmodern society has led to a rise in people forming their personal religious belief systems.
Hervieu-Leger’s term, the ‘religion of the individual’, describes the current trend where people pick and mix religions in the context of deinstitutionalised religious belief.
Similarly, the spread of New Age spiritualities and the popularity of holistic therapies reflect a move away from traditional religious practices towards individual spiritual exploration.

Religion in the Digital Age

The internet and social media have changed the way people engage with religion, leading to a rise in online religious participation.
Hoover’s research posits that online religious engagement provides a space for people to negotiate their identities and beliefs in ways that traditional religion does not.
It also allows for greater religious diversity and pluralism, encouraging the spread of minority religions and creating platforms for dialogue and learning between different faith groups.

Revision suggestion: Research the reasons behind these patterns and trends. What sociological theories explain these changes? Remember to critically evaluate these theories and back up your points with empirical evidence.