In Abiding Faith, Mark Chaves examines religion’s role and social importance in contemporary society. Chaves (2002) contends that the conventional secularization thesis, suggesting that religion is declining and will ultimately vanish from modern society, is overly simplistic and fails to consider how religion still impacts and influences social institutions. He also emphasizes that focusing only on aspects of religious devotion, like belief and practice, neglects the social relevance of religion and its ability to hold meaning beyond itself.
Chaves (2002) provides examples of how the social significance of religious piety is context-dependent and can lead to different consequences depending on the institutional and political context. Chaves argues that the social significance of religious belief and participation depends on the institutional settings in which they occur. Therefore, the movements with the greatest potential for increasing religion’s influence seek to expand religion’s authority or influence in other domains. Chaves concludes that the social significance of religion is not simply a matter of religious belief and practice levels but rather its capacity to shape social institutions and provoke reactions. Increases in charismatic religion in the United States may be interesting, but when religious institutions do not generally shape other important social institutions, such as the government or the market, such increases lack the consequences they have where speaking in tongues challenges a village leader’s authority. Chaves asserts that efforts to shape school curricula concerning evolution and creationism are the most significant contemporary movement to expand religious influence in the United States. He argues that wherever such movements succeed, they change the meaning and significance of religious piety and reflect and shape the abiding role of religion in society in ways that go beyond the percentages of people who believe in God, pray, or attend religious services.
Sociological Analysis of Abiding Faith
As discussed by Chaves, the complex character of secularization is also connected to religious pluralism, which denotes the coexistence of various religious beliefs and customs within a society. As societies grow more diverse, religious pluralism expands, leading to opportunities and obstacles for religious communities (Giordan & Pace, 2014). Chaves points out that religious groups occasionally might attempt to broaden their authority or sway in other areas like politics or education to preserve their societal relevance.
The notion of societal relevance is further linked to the idea of social capital, which encompasses the assets such as social connections and norms that individuals and organizations can utilize to attain their objectives. Religious institutions can supply social capital to their members by providing chances for social engagement, volunteer work, and community service (Portes & Vickstrom, 2015). However, as Chaves highlights, the social capital offered by religion might not reach beyond the church in societies where religion does not play a significant role in social institutions. This ties into the concept of civil society, comprised of the web of voluntary associations and organizations between the state and its citizens. In certain societies, religious organizations hold a substantial role within civil society; in others, they may wield less influence.
The connection between Chaves’ examination of religion’s social impact and the idea of cultural capital is significant. Cultural capital encompasses the knowledge, abilities, and cultural customs that individuals or groups utilize to maneuver through societal hierarchies. In certain cultures, religion serves as a crucial form of cultural capital, granting individuals prestige and esteem. As societies become increasingly secular, alternative forms of cultural capital, such as education and professional qualifications, may take precedence (Throsby, 1999).
Grasping the significance of social constructionism sheds light on how religion is shaped by its environment. For example, in the United States, religion has historically been closely linked with politics and public life, significantly impacting societal standards and political policies. However, throughout history, the role of religion in public life has changed due to fluctuating political and cultural situations which transform society’s view and appreciation of religious beliefs. A prime example is the same-sex marriage debate in America. Mainly conservative Christian groups have opposed same-sex marriage based on their religious principles. However, the understanding and weight given to religious opposition to same-sex marriage have evolved over time, with some religious denominations revisiting their sacred texts and belief systems to support same-sex marriage (Galbin, 2014). This highlights how context plays a vital role in determining the meaning and relevance of religious beliefs and practices.
The environment surrounding religion can also impact the societal relevance of its practices. For instance, in countries where the government strictly controls religion, such as China, engaging in religious activities may convey different meanings and importance compared to nations where freedom of religion is more prevalent. Due to government limitations on religious practices in China, some faith communities resort to subversive or clandestine ways to observe their beliefs. Consequently, this distinct social environment uniquely shapes how religious practices are viewed and understood.
Finally, Chaves underlines the significance of religious movements in extending religion’s impact beyond conventional religious organizations. This notion is backed by the sociological idea of social movements, which involves the collective endeavors of individuals and groups to push for societal change and contest dominant power dynamics. Religious movements, including the Civil Rights movement and efforts to mold educational curricula regarding evolution and creationism, can wield considerable social and political influence by challenging established power systems and influencing public debate on contentious subjects (Walder, 2009).
To conclude, Mark Chaves’ “Abiding Faith” presents a sophisticated comprehension of the intricate connection between religion and contemporary society. By utilizing sociological constructs like social constructionism, cultural capital, and social movements, Chaves supplies a practical viewpoint on the societal importance of religious convictions and customs and the function of religion in molding social and political institutions.
Works Cited
Chaves, M. (2002). Abiding Faith. Contexts, 1(2), 19–26. https://doi.org/10.1525/ctx.2002.1.2.19
Galbin, A. (2014). An introduction to social constructionism. Social Research Reports, 6(26), 82–92. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=161941
Giordan, G., & Pace, E. (2014). Religious pluralism. Framing Religious Diversity in the Contemporary World. Cham: Springer.
Portes, A., & Vickstrom, E. (2015). Diversity, Social Capital and Cohesion . https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/22257/1007916.pdf?sequence=1#page=42
Throsby, D. (1999). Cultural Capital. Journal of Cultural Economics, 23(1/2), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1007543313370
Walder, A. G. (2009). Political Sociology and Social Movements. Annual Review of Sociology, 35(1), 393–412. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-070308-120035
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