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Arguments Against Secularisation (unfinished) - Coggle Diagram
Arguments Against Secularisation
(unfinished)
Religious Revival and Growth of New Religious Movements
The claim that religion is in decline globally is challenged by evidence of vibrant religious revivals, particularly in the Global South. Evangelical Christianity, Pentecostalism, and other highly dynamic forms of faith have shown massive growth in countries across Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
Analysis:
Latin America: In Brazil, Pentecostalism has expanded rapidly, especially among poorer communities. Pentecostal churches often offer community support, spiritual guidance, and social mobility, attracting millions. Over 25% of Brazillians now identify as Pentecostal Christians.
Evaluation
Stengths:
Counters the Eurocentric bias of secularisation theory by showing growth in non-Western societies. Illustrates how religion can offer social and economic benefits, attracting marginalized populations.
Criticisms:
In some cases, religious revivals are linked to capitalist exploitation, as "prosperity gospel" preachers exploit believers for financial gain. While vibrant, these revivals may represent a geographical shift in religiosity rather than a universal trend.
Rodney Stark and Roger Finke:Religious Economy Theory
Stark and Finke propose that religion operates like a marketplace, with compeition between religious groups fostering vibrancy and innovation. When people have religious choices, they are more likely to engage with faith, particularly dynamic and flexible movements like Pentecostalism.
Relevance to Religious Revival:
The growth of Pentecostalism in regions like Africa and Latin America aligns with this theory. Pentecostal churches often outcompete traditional ones by offering emotional services, community engagement, and material support.
This approach highlights how Pentecostalism's adaptability and consumer-oriented nature appeals to modern audiences, though critics argue that treating religion as a commodity oversimplifies complex belief systems.
The secularisation Cycle Stark & Bainbridge
Secularisation is not the end to religion, but part of a dynamic cycle of secularisation, innovation and religious revival.
Mormonism is the latest in a long series of world religions arising from sects that flourish where conventional religion has become weak
Religious Market Theory - Stark and Bainbridge (rational choice theory)
The view that secularisation is only one stage of constant cycle of decline, revival and renewal
2 key assumptions:
1. People are naturally religious, and religion meets human needs. 2. It is human nature to seek rewards and avoid costs.
Compensators:
when real (material) rewards are not present, religion compensates us by promising supernatural ones e.g. you will not live forever, but there is life after death. Only religion can promise these compensators.
Secularisation cycle:
Religions decline, revive and renew rather than a one way process of decline as argued by secularisation theory.
Religion as a market:
Churches 'compete' to attract 'customers'. Competition leads to improvements int he quality of the religious 'goods' on offer.
Grace Davie:
"Believing Without Belonging"
Lyon: Religion in a Postmodern World