Religious Market Theory

This video explains Religious Market Theory. A Level sociology students can use Religious Market Theory to criticise the Secularisation Thesis.

Religious Market Theory argues modern societies are not becoming secular. Stark and Bainbridge (1986) argue the need for religion never disappears because people are ‘naturally’ religious and religion compensates for real world suffering.

They argue when there is a high ‘supply’ of religion to the religious ‘market place’ i.e. society, participation increases! Religious participation has been declining in Europe because historically the supply of religions has been low!

This video explains the theory and x4 four evaluations.

A level sociology students can use this video to revise religious market theory and university students can use it as brief introduction.

The links below are to videos covering different views on the secularisation debate

Evidence/Explanations for Secularisation:

Evidence Against Secularisation: