11. New Forms of Religion

• What are Bruce's 3 arguments against the unquestionable replacement of traditional belief with new-age ideas?


  The size & scale isn't enough to cover gap left by secularisation of major religion

  Transmission of new-age religion is less common

  New-age beliefs lack dedication & are often short-lived
• How did the religious split change in Kendal?

  New-age religion became more popular

  Evangelical churches adapted to more new-age practices to gain new members
• What did Heelas & Woodhead find about spiritual revolutions in Kendal, Cumbria?


  Spiritualism split the town's religious members into 2 groups:

  Evangelical Christianity

  New-age religion
• Sheila-ism (Bellah) (3)


  Bellah interviewed Sheila Larson

  Described her religion as "Sheila-ism"

  Took bits & pieces from various religious traditions to construct her own belief system
• Online Religion (Helland)


  'Cyber religion' where people can meet & share spiuritual idea without the hierarchal power structure
• Religion online (Helland)


  Services are traditional & hierarchal, communicating only approved ideas
• What did Hervieu-Leger say about 'cultural amnesia'?


  Families no longer pass down religious ideas & parents are more likely to let children decide beliefs for themselves
• What did Day say about 'belonging without believing'?


  -Interviewed 'Christians' & found very few people actively mentioned God or Christianity

  -People interpreted Christianity as an extension of 'Britishness' & it's juts part of living in the UK
• What do Voas & Crockett say to criticise Davie's ideas of religious 'privatisation'?


  In a survey of 5,750, found that both religion & belief were declining
• What did Davie say about 'believing without belonging'?


  Highlights a society where belief doesn't need to be overtly shown to exist
• What is Davie's analogy of a 'spiritual health service'?


  It's there when needed but doesn't need to be attended regularly to remain relevant
• What evidence supports the breakdown of obligatory religion?


  In 2008, 70% of people said they were christian, but only 11% of these has been baptised
• What are 3 new types of religion? (give examples)

  -New international religions (Scientology)

  -New age beliefs (Astrology)

  -Para religious practices (Manifestation)