The document discusses Religious Market Theory proposed by Stark and Bainbridge as an alternative to secularization theory. Some key points of Religious Market Theory are that it sees religion as a market where different faiths compete to meet consumers' needs, in contrast to a religious monopoly. It also argues against the idea of a "golden age" of religion and instead proposes a perpetual cycle of religious decline and renewal. Critics argue that while Religious Market Theory may explain religious vitality in America, secularization theory better explains trends in Europe.

1. UNIT 3: Religion Renewal and Choice
Religious market theory
Learning Objective 1:
To understand the key concepts of Stark and Bainbridge’s ‘Religious Market Theory’ . (Grade
D/E)
The main advocates of the Religious Market Theory (also known as rational choice theory) are
Stark and Bainbridge (1985).
They are very critical of secularisation theory which they see as Eurocentric.
Q. What do they mean by ‘Eurocentric’?
Stark and Bainbridge also believe that secularisation theory puts forward a distorted view of the
past and the future.
They believe that there was no ‘golden age’ of religion in the past, as secularisation theory
implies, nor is it realistic to predict a future end point for religion when everyone will be an
atheist.
Q. What was the ‘golden age’? Why is it debatable as to whether the golden age ever existed?
Stark and Bainbridge propose religious market theory. The theory is based on two assumptions.
What are these?
1)

2. 2)
According to Stark and Bainbridge religion is attractive because it provides us with
compensators. What is a compensator?
As an alternative to secularisation theory, which sees a one-way process of continuous decline.
Stark and Bainbridge put forward the idea of a perpetual cycle of religious decline, revival and
renewal.
Draw a diagram of Stark and Bainbridge’s proposed perpetual cycle.
How do Stark and Bainbridge compare church operations to a market?
Learning Objective 2: To be able to explain why Stark and Bainbridge believe that religion is not
declining in America. (Grade C/D)
America vs Europe
The demand for religion increases when there are different sorts to chose from because
consumers can find one that meets their needs. By contrast where these is a religious
monopoly it leads to decline.

3. With no competition a church has no incentive to provide people with what they want.
Q. What is a religious monopoly?
AMERICA EUROPE
Learning Objective 3: To be able to clearly evaluate the ‘Religious Market Theory’ (Grade A/B)
Evaluation
Supporting evidence:
Hadden and Shupe (1998)
Finke (1997)

4. Criticisms:
Bruce –
Norris and Inglehart (2004)