A-Level Sociology (AQA)

Topic Summaries

Beliefs in society

Policy and religion

  • Civil religion: (👤 Bellah, 1967) national rituals and values act as a unifying belief system.
    • Can exclude minority groups with different beliefs.
  • UK context: faith schools, religious freedom laws, and recognition of religious festivals show ongoing influence.
    • Can create tensions over integration and equality.
  • Theocracy: religious law forms the basis of governance, as in Iran.
    • Often restricts individual rights and pluralism.

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