Religon, renewal and change

• What major change in religion does Grace Davie argue is occurring in late modern society?

  Shift from obligation to consumption or choice
• Which churches historically obliged people to attend services?

  Church of England and Catholic Church
• What trend has been observed regarding infant baptism in England and France?

  Only a minority of babies are baptized
• What does Davie mean by 'believing without belonging'?

  People hold religious beliefs without belonging to organizations
• What does Davie suggest lies beneath the surface of low church attendance?

  A wider commitment to the church as an institution
• What is 'vicarious religion' according to Davie?

  Religion practiced by a minority for the majority
• How does Davie compare major national churches in Europe?

  As public utilities or a 'Spiritual Health Service'
• What does Davie argue about secularization theory?

  It assumes modernisation affects all societies similarly
• What evidence do Vous and Crocket present against Davie's claim?

  Both church attendance and belief are declining
• What does Bruce argue about people's willingness to attend church?

  It reflects a decline in their beliefs
• What percentage of people identified as Christian according to census results?

  72%
• What did Abby Day find about the 'Christians' she interviewed?

  They often did not mention God
• How does Hiervieu-Leger describe the decline of institutional religion?

  As a result of cultural amnesia
• What do parents today allow their children regarding religion?

  To decide for themselves what to believe
• What does the term 'spiritual shoppers' refer to?

  Individuals choosing their own religious beliefs
• How has globalization affected religion according to the study material?

  Increased movement of ideas and beliefs
• What role does the media play in postmodern society regarding religion?

  It provides instantaneous access to diverse beliefs
• What is the difference between 'religion online' and 'online religion'?

  Religion online is top-down communication
• What is 'online religion' characterized by?

  Many-to-many communication and community building
• How do postmodernists view online religion?

  As a potential new alternative to traditional religion
• How do individuals approach religious beliefs in a consumerist society?

  By picking and mixing elements from different faiths
• What does religious consumerism involve?

  Constructing identities through consumption choices
• What effect does having a variety of religious products have on faith?

  It leads to skepticism about absolute truths
• What do postmodernists argue about the decline of traditional churches?

  It does not mean the end of religion
• What are new religious movements seen as in postmodern society?

  Options for consumers to sample beliefs
• How is religion evolving in postmodern society?

  Taking on new forms fitting consumerist nature
• What are the key themes in Davie's argument about modern religion?

  • Shift from obligation to consumption
  • Believing without belonging
  • Vicarious religion
  • Multiple modernities
• What are the implications of spiritual shopping in modern society?

  • Individualized beliefs
  • Loss of collective memory
  • Choice in religious practices
  • Decline of institutional religion
• How does globalization impact religious practices?

  • Increased access to diverse beliefs
  • Blurring boundaries between social life areas
  • Emergence of online religious communities
  • De-institutionalization of religion
• What are the characteristics of online religion?

  • Many-to-many communication
  • Creation of virtual worship spaces
  • Non-hierarchical relationships
  • Community support through shared interests
• What does religious consumerism signify in postmodern society?

  • Identity construction through consumption
  • Pick and mix approach to beliefs
  • Skepticism towards absolute truths
  • Emergence of new religious movements
• What do traditional religions claim regarding truth?

  They claim to have absolute, authoritative truth.
• How does access to various religious beliefs affect traditional religions?

  It weakens their claim to monopoly on truth.
• What effect does exposure to competing truths have on people's beliefs?

  It makes them skeptical of any truth claims.
• What happens to traditional religious institutions as a result of these changes?

  They lose authority and decline.
• What do postmodernists like Lyon argue about the decline of traditional churches?

  It does not mean the end of religion.
• What do new religious movements allow individuals to do?

  They allow individuals to construct personal belief systems.
• What characterizes New Age spirituality compared to traditional religions?

  • Rejects obligation to external authority
  • Emphasizes personal development and autonomy
  • Focuses on connecting with one's inner self
• What is the key idea linking New Age beliefs?

  Individualism and personal truth.
• How is New Age spirituality often referred to?

  Self-spirituality or self-religion.