In sociology, it is a widely accepted belief that in times of uncertainty and fear, people turn to religion?

Question

Would this explain why so many people in the US are turning so hard toward an unbending religion like the new brand of Christianity?

Answer 1

probably

Answer 2

First off, don't trust everything that is "widely accepted" in sociology. I asked a YA question last night, "which came first, polytheism or monotheism?" The educated all gave the answer that was "widely accepted" PRE-1930. Academia sometimes takes a loooooooooong time to catch up. (Look up Wilhelm Schmidt.)

As for this particular question, if you'd phrased it: "HEY ATHEISTS!!! Is it true there are no atheists in foxholes?" you would probably get a resounding NO!

Put the question, as you worded it, to a Christian, (THIS Christian anyway) and you'd get the answer: God will use whatever it takes to turn someone's heart towards Home.

HOWEVER, don't mistake the mass turning toward "God" post 911 as entirely an expression of genuine Christian renewal. Some of the people banging the war drums loudest were the folks on the Religious Right. People who never thought about God much could, in a nice churchy sounding way, express their deepest ugliest desires for immediate revenge (no matter how scanty the evidence was for identifying the appropriate recipient of said revenge).

Answer 3

Using the 9-11 events, attendence at churches across america was evaluated. All churches were polled and after the attacks attendence was way up, however five years after the attacks another poll was taken and attendence was back down to the pre attack levels.

So, it can be seen that these were not true believers, more commonly known as fox-hole believers as the military would put it.

It is proof that events do not cause true belief, only the understanding that we are sinners who need salvation can create true belief and true salvation.

Leads me to believe that there were many who came forward and "accepted" salvation just in case the world was ending. In this case they did not really accept anything and the post attack attendence polls show this to be the case.

Answer 4

I think it's because, backs against the wall, Christians have finally realized that a fundamentalist understanding of their relaitionship with external culture is no longer a tenable way to live. I suspect it has long been thought that the rest of the world may fall apart as it wills, as long as we as a community of believers simply held fast to what is valuable and true, then they can live in their own sort of utopian society.

Generally, this had been seen as acceptable even by secularists who patronizingly have imagined that as long as Christians stay in their subcultural ghettos, they'll be left alone and can live with their Christian values.

But still unsatisfied, secular pundits had began intruding into new territory, trying to tear down pillars of social value that was given to Christians to hold and protect. At last, there are now Christians who see the isolationist tendencies of fundamentalism are no longer adequate. Christian thinkers are coming out of the closet, and are not only willing, but eager to engage the surrounding culture and battle the reasoning of a skeptical thinkers on their own ground, and I believe we're slowly beginning to see the massive impact this has had trickle down to the rest of society in general. True, we have a long way to go, but we're taking new ground especially in secular philosophy departments, and when you can do that, you've effectively changed the entire playing field in which these questions are explored.

Answer 5

What's the unbending new brand of Christianity? gotta link for that? The newest trend/movement I know of is emergent Christianity, and it's far from unbending.

Answer 6

I think that is called "begging the question"...religion is based solely on the exploitation of uncertainty and fear of people. If there were no fear and uncertainty, why would religion exist at all?

Answer 7

And why not? In times of fire, people call the fire department. In times of crime, people call the police. In times of fear, people call friends. In times of need, people call out to God. People reach out to what will help them according to their needs. In times of need, people sometimes understand what their true needs are. In the desert, people want water. In the arctic, people want warmth. When in pain, people want healing and comfort, which they get from God. I don't see a problem with this, except that if people had God to start with they would not need to reach out in desperation.

And what is the 'new brand of Christianity?' Do you mean the people who actually believe what the Bible says and try to do that? That isn't new. The new brand of Christianity is actually those who are trying to make everything acceptable to Christ and God. Relativism is the new brand of pseudo-Christianity. Let me say this: Relativism is not Christ like, and it is not Christianity.

Answer 8

Yes, your hypothesis is exactly right. Fundamentalism always grows in direct ration to global unrest. In the same way, both acts of terrorism and political repression to create law and order also grow in this climate. To save ourselves, we must change the atmosphere. It is ti that level of magnitude.

Answer 9

There is so much involved in that. Take a Basic Sociology Course in college.

Answer 10

Sad, but accurate. It was bad before, but since 9/11 it's been insufferable.

Answer 11

It could be possible, but there are so many other factors that could contribute to our current trends, so keep an open mind about this.