Alternative Theories

• What theory argues there was no golden age of religion?

  Religious Market Theory
• What do Stark and Bainbridge argue about the future of religion?

  It won't end with universal atheism
• What did international studies find regarding RMT?

  No link between choice and participation
• How do Stark and Bainbridge view secularisation theory?

  As Eurocentric
• What do Stark and Bainbridge argue about RMT's accuracy?

  It accurately describes secularisation in Britain and America
• How do churches operate according to RMT?

  Like companies selling goods in a market
• What does RMT suggest about competition among religious organizations?

  It improves the quality of religious goods
• What happens to churches that attract more customers?

  They succeed in the religious market
• How does the American constitution affect religion?

  It prevents a religious monopoly
• Why is secularisation less strong in America compared to Europe?

  Due to a healthy religious market
• What has dominated European countries regarding religion?

  An official state church with a monopoly
• What does the lack of choice in Europe lead to?

  A decline in religious participation
• What do Hadden and Shupe argue about televangelism?

  It shows religious organization is supply-led
• What did evangelical churches thrive on in the 1960s?

  Consumer demand for prosperity gospel
• How do Stark and Bainbridge view the decline of religion?

  Not a universal trend across societies
• What characterizes evangelical megachurches?

  Congregations over 2000 with diverse activities
• How does Miller compare megachurches?

  To hypermarkets
• What does Bruce argue about religious diversity?

  It leads to religious decline
• What do Norris and Inglehart argue about religiosity variations?

  Due to different degrees of existential security
• What is existential security?

  Feeling secure in life with low demand for religion
• How does insecurity affect religiosity in poor societies?

  It leads to high levels of religiosity
• Why are poor people in rich societies more religious?

  They face greater insecurity
• What do rich societies experience regarding religiosity?

  Lower levels due to high security
• How do Norris and Inglehart explain America's high religiosity?

  It has the most inequality among rich societies
• What do Norris and Inglehart suggest about the demand for religion?

  It varies within and between societies
• Why do poor developing countries remain religious?

  They face greater insecurity
• What do rich, secure societies experience in terms of secularisation?

  They become more secular
• How does global population growth affect secularisation trends?

  It undermines the trend towards secularisation
• What did Gill and Lundagaarde find about welfare spending and religious participation?

  More spending leads to lower participation
• How did the state begin to affect religion in the West from the 20th century?

  By providing welfare, contributing to decline
• What does Vasquez argue about Norris and Inglehart's view on religion?

  They focus only on negative reasons for religiosity
• What do positive reasons for religious participation include?

  Appeal of certain religions for the wealthy
• What are the alternative views to the secularisation debate?

  • Religious Market Theory (RMT)
  • Existential Security Theory
• What are the key points of Religious Market Theory?

  • No golden age of religion
  • Churches operate like companies
  • Competition improves quality of religious goods
  • Success depends on responsiveness to members' needs
• What are the implications of secularisation in Europe versus America?

  • Europe: Dominated by state churches, leading to decline
  • America: Healthy religious market, less secularisation
• What do Norris and Inglehart argue about religiosity and existential security?

  • Variations in religiosity due to existential security
  • Poor societies have high religiosity due to insecurity
  • Rich societies have lower religiosity due to security
• How does welfare spending relate to religious participation?

  • Higher welfare spending correlates with lower participation
  • Religion historically provided welfare in poorer countries
• What are the criticisms of the Religious Market Theory?

  • Focuses too much on America
  • Ignores positive reasons for religious participation
  • Does not account for variations in religiosity