Criticisms:

• Bruce 2011: rejects the view that diversity increases participation as statistics show in America and Europe the increase in diversity in beliefs has accompanied their decline
• Bruce 2011: Stark and Brainbridge misinterpreted secularisation theory as it doesn't claim there was a 'golden age' of religion nor does it claim that it is applied globally
• Norris and Inglehart 2011: high levels of participation occur in countries with a complete monopoly concerning religion (Ireland)
• Beckford: criticises religious market theory as unsociological as it makes claims on human nature