Religion (21a)

Chevannes (1995) – With a history of oppression, Caribbean people have looked for avenues to cope,
hence created an appreciation for indigenous religions. However these religions were scorned upon.

Braithwaite(1971)- The long existence of black and whites during plantation slavery allowed for
crelolisation, which in turn allowed for the syncretism of their religious beliefs. Occurred through
acculturation and interculturation. Caribbean indigenous religions contain customs of both African
and European religious beliefs.

M.G. Smith(1965) and Braithwaite(1971) – There is white bias in the process of creolisation, so blacks
adopted European religious beliefs, and whites opposed African religious beliefs. Briathwaite-
Caribean society was deeply was deeply shaped by European principles, as such white culture and
religions remained dominant.

Ryan (1991)- noted that there has been an increase in the number of blacks in power, a gradual
growth of wealth of people and an increase educational opportunity, which has led to an
appreciation for religious diversity in the region , the rise of blacks to power has allowed for
governments to pass laws in favour of indigenous religions. Voodoo legally recognised in 2003 in
Haiti as a religion

Chevvanes(1995)- most persons who gravitate to the indigenous relgions are poor, and use it as a
way to deal with their harsh socio economical conditions. Most poor exslaves in Jamaica were willing
to abadon European religions for indigenous ones which led to the development of many other
religions.

Beckford(1972)- Caribbean society has not truly transformed and is a modified version of the
plantation society, so there is white bias in relation to religion.

Chevvanes(1995)- Caribbean people still stereotype against indigenous religions such as voodoo and
Rastafarianism.

22

Wilson(1966) – Statistical data can be used to indicate the level of religious activities In society. Such
as church attendance, divorce rates, marriages, number of sects and cults etc.

Bellah(1976) – Opposed quantifying religious activities and beliefs, he maintains that there is a
tendency to believe inly those who attend a religious building or stay true to a religious belief are
religious. While many persons worships privately, many Caribbean people refuse to attend church
but consider themselves religious. Official church stats cannot affect religious activity.

Wilson(1966)- and Berger(1954)- The presence of numerous religious groups such as sects in society
imply that religious is losing its significance because they are competing for members.

Andrew Greely(1989) Opposes Wilson and Greely by saying religious pluralism is a sign of religios
revivalism and its ability to manifest itself in various ways.

Stark and Bainbridge(1987) also mentioned the presence of several religious groups would imply that
religious activities are changing rather than declining .
24

Wilson(1966) secularization is the process by which religion loses its social significance.

Bellah(1976)- maintained that secularization is merely the ability of religion to shift in its organization
and not necessarily its decline

Wilson(1966) – society is more secular as there is a decline in attendace in religious institutions, and
there is a reduction in church marriages and an increase in divorce rates/

Chapman(2001) and Bellah(1976)- statistical data cannot always be used to measure secularization,
as not all are willing to attend church but this does not mean they are not religious. Religion is often
seen as private.

Wilson and Berger(1954) considered the numerous religious bodies in society, and argue that a
religious society would not have a variety of religious beliefs. So the existence of religious sects, cults,
etc mean that no established church as the loyalty of the people.

Bellah(1976) argued that the presence of numerous religious bodies in society means that religion is
progressive, hence religion is merely evolving in society and is able to manifest itself in different
ways. Stark and Bainbridge(1987) argue religious pluralism indicates that religion is alive.

Wilson(1966) and Martin(1978)- People are more reliant on science than on religion to justify
changes in society, this is because religion has declined in power and people are becoming
disenchanted with religion. Religion has lost significance in social and political affairs, so religion has
been disengaged from society.

Macionis(2007)-Despite the views of Wilson and Martin it is evident that people are still reliant on
religious explanations for most social phenomenom, and most people adhere to some religious
belief.

Stark and Bainbridge(1987) –Secularization thesis is exaggerated; religion cannot be erased from
society as it performs important roles. It provides for emotion guidance. Religion is merely going
through a process of change and progression rather than declining

Extras

Hadden(1987) Sociologist have accepted weber’s idea of secularisation on faith. Efforts to

scientifically test the idea has failed as there is no way of measuring all the perceived dimensions of
secularization.

Walton(2002) Religion undergoes changes through historical eras. Religions becomes more secular in
the present era because the society values rationality