Bruce: cultural defence and transition
- Cultural defence = religion provides a focal point for the defence of national, ethnic, local or group identity in a struggle again external force such as a hostile foreign power
- Example: popularity of Catholicism in Poland before the fall of communism and the resurgence of Islam before the revolution in Iran in 1979
- Cultural transition = religion provides support and a sense of community for ethnic groups such as migrants to a different country and culture
- Example: religion has performed similar functions for Irish, African Caribbean, Muslim, Hindu and other migrants to the UK
- Religion survives in these situations because it is a focus for group identity; religion is most likely to survive where it performs functions other than relating individuals to the supernatural