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ETHNICITY AND RELIGION - Coggle Diagram
ETHNICITY AND RELIGION
religious identity
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there are significant differences in religiosity within the Asian and African Caribbean communities, however some generalisations can be made:
- Afro-Caribbean's were christian on arrival to the UK, but faced racism when they joined existing denominations. therefore afro-caribbean forms of christianity have mushroomed over the last 20 years
- Asians who are predominantly Hindu, Sikh and Muslim had no existing places of worship to join. they had to make a collective effort to establish and practice their faith in the UK. also mushroomed
case study: John Bird
many members of ethnic minority groups originate in societies that have higher levels of religiosity
belonging to a minority ethnic group means that religion can become an important sense of community and solidarity
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Bird suggests that Pentecostalism has played a duel role for Afro-Carribbean people in Britian1) it has enables them to cope with racism and an unjust society
- Marx suggested it serves as the opium for the people
- Beckford also suggests it gives black people a sense of hope and independence
2) Pryce argues it encourages hard work, sexual morality, prudent management of fiances and strong support of the family
however - source of conflict, the dominate culture in a society often sees minority cultures in a negative light, there is a feeling that newcomers to society should assimilate. many ethnic minority issues and cultural traditions often make this an issue
religious movements
religious movements that believe that some individuals have the gifts of the holy spirit, such as healing powers and the ability to speak in tongues
many A-C who sought to establish their won church adopted an evangelical affiliation to christainity which stresses a belief in personal conversion and the factual accuracy of the bible. alongside a commitment to seek new converts
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such christianity practised by the charismatic and Pentecostal movements has grown charismatic over the last decade
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the change in the composition of practising christianity is therefore coming from an increase in ethnic minorities and penecostal churches
religious commitment
research shows that the major minority ethnic groups are significantly more religious than the white majority (Bruce)
similarities can be seen in the younger generation being less religious and the elderly more but religious practice such as church attendance is highest in EM groups
reasons why EM are more religious:
1) community identity and cultural defence
2) social deprivation, marginality and status frustration
3) social identity
1) community identity and cultural defence:
- Bruce suggests higher religiosity among ethnic groups may not be due to greater religious commitment, but as an assertion of solidarity and pride within their community
- he also suggests that religion acts as a means of cultural defence
- Davie higher levels of religiosity in ethnic minority groups may be a means of maintaining tradition, group cohesion and community solidarity
- Modood religion as a means of socialisation and maintaining traditional morality. helped EM groups to cope with worries and pressures which can arise from discrimination caused by racism in wider society
2) social deprivation, marginality and status frustration
- religion acts as a secure and solid source of identity, status and community for ethnic minorities
- this can cause marginality and status frustration as they are perceived as less
- Marx 'opium of the people' - EMs find comfort and community from religious practices which helps them overcome discrimination faced and be with a group of people who have experienced similar things
- Weber 'theory of dispriviledge' - EM use religion to come to terms with and legitimise their social deprivation
- all EM groups experience marginality in some form whether that be racist comments or discriminatory behaviours from others in society
3) social identity
- religion provides many markers of identity which include dress, food and rituals that people choose to take part in
- Johal came up with the Brasian identity which adopts selective information of both cultures. for example, the traditional Asian culture may be important to them as it shapes the identity but not all aspect of it it brought into their new identity
- Jacobson found that a muslim identity appealed to the youths more than an Asian identity
family pressures
in asian communities family structures are more tightly knit - strong extended families - combine this with a closer community life, increases the pressure to conform to religious values and behaviour, thus increasing participation of EM
muslim identity
Islamaphobia
irrational fear of or prejudice/hatred towards islam, islamic culture or muslims, especially as a political force
islam has become an important and growing marker of identity in britian - whether they want it to be or not
stigmatised identity - an identity that is in some way undesirable or demeaning, stops an individuals or group being fully accepted by society
young male muslims
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islam and its symbols and values have become central features is building a positive identity which they see as otherwise denied to them by Islamophobia
about 70% of british muslims are under the age of 25 so this pattern is likely to signal long term trends
Mirza et al 2007
found an increase in religiosity and identification with islam with second third generation muslims shown by things like:
- greater wearing of the headscarf
- greater identification with the worldwide muslim community
- growing membership of islamic political group
- growing demands for education, financial and legal arrangements that comply with Sharia law
suggests the rise in muslim identity among the young is related to 3 main factors
1) british foreign policy
2) the decline of other sources of identity
3) multicultural policies