Religion’s History and Social Stratification

Religion’s History and Social Stratification

Religion is a complex phenomenon that influences various aspects of human society, such as beliefs, values, practices, and institutions. One of the dimensions of religion that has attracted the attention of sociologists is its relationship with social stratification, or the division of a society into hierarchical layers based on different levels of wealth, power, and prestige. How did religion emerge as a factor of stratification? How does it persist and change over time? And what are the consequences of religious stratification for individuals and groups?

The Origins of Religious Stratification

According to some sociological theories, religious stratification emerged as a result of historical processes that involved religious ethnocentrism, religious competition, and unequal resources. Religious ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own religion as superior to others and to judge other religions by one’s own standards. Religious competition is the struggle among different religious groups for members, resources, and influence. Unequal resources are the differences in the economic, political, and cultural capital that different religious groups possess.

In the context of European colonization and immigration, these factors led to the formation of a hierarchy of religious groups in America, where some groups enjoyed more privileges and status than others. For example, Anglicans (now Episcopalians), Congregationalists (now United Church of Christ), and Presbyterians were over-represented among the economic, political, and educational elites in the colonial period, while other Protestant groups, Catholics, Jews, and people with no religious preference ranked much lower in status . These groups were also legally established or favored in some colonies, while others faced discrimination or persecution .

The Persistence and Change of Religious Stratification

Religious stratification persists because it is embedded in societal laws, customs, and ideologies that justify and reinforce the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among religious groups. However, religious stratification is not static or fixed; it can change over time as a result of social movements, demographic shifts, cultural changes, and political events that affect the balance of power and resources among religious groups.

For instance, in the course of U.S. history, some religious groups have experienced upward or downward mobility in the religious hierarchy. Jews have risen into the upper stratum, while Catholics have climbed into the upper-middle stratum . These developments are linked to their achievements in education, occupation, income, and political representation, as well as their assimilation into mainstream culture. On the other hand, some Protestant groups such as Baptists (who ranked low in the colonial period) have not experienced much upward mobility . These groups have faced challenges such as regional disadvantages, racial divisions, theological controversies, and cultural conflicts.

The Consequences of Religious Stratification

Religious stratification has significant implications for individuals and groups in terms of their life chances, social identities, attitudes, and behaviors. For example:

– Religious stratification can affect one’s access to material resources such as income, wealth, education, health care, and social services. Studies have shown that different religious groups have different levels of socioeconomic status and well-being in America .
– Religious stratification can shape one’s sense of belonging and recognition in society. Studies have shown that different religious groups have different levels of social integration and acceptance in America .
– Religious stratification can influence one’s worldview and values. Studies have shown that different religious groups have different orientations toward morality, politics, science, culture, and diversity in America .
– Religious stratification can motivate one’s social action and participation. Studies have shown that different religious groups have different patterns of civic engagement, social activism, philanthropy, and voting behavior in America .

Conclusion

Religion is a powerful force that shapes social stratification in complex ways. By examining the history, persistence, change, and consequences of religious stratification, sociologists can gain a deeper understanding of how religion affects society and how society affects religion.

References

: OpenStax (2021). The Sociological Approach to Religion. Introduction to Sociology 3e. Retrieved from https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/15-1-the-sociological-approach-to-religion
: Davidson J.D., Pyle R.E. (2011). Religious Stratification: Its Origins,
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: Pyle R.E. (1996). Persistence Amid Change: The American Religious Configuration at Century’s End. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 35(1): 1-11.
: Keister L.A., Fulton B.R. (2015). Religion and Stratification. In: Dillon M. (eds) Handbook of the Sociology of Religion. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research. Springer, Cham.
: Keister L.A., Sherkat D.E. (2014). Religion and Inequality in America: Research and Theory on Religion’s Role in Stratification. Cambridge University Press.