Baha'i
Buddhist worldview traditions
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Contextualising the diversity of worldviews
Hindu worldview traditions
Humanist worldview traditions
Jain
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Jewish worldview traditions
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Research

Religion and social cohesion – new research

Madeleine Pennington

Research Summary

Often, faith has been seen as belonging to those outside the mainstream, as a security concern and a barrier to cohesion in UK society. There is an evidence gap on different ways in which it contributes to cohesion, hence this research. The research finds that faith groups can indeed support cohesion, in complex ways. Their networks can be a powerful force for the social good in the future.

Researcher

Madeleine Pennington

Research Institution

Theos, for the British Academy and the Faith & Belief Forum

What is this about?

  • How has religious faith been understood within UK social or community cohesion policy?
  • How could UK social or community cohesion policy take better account of the realities of religion in the contemporary UK?
  • What are some different ways in which religious groups contribute positively to social or community cohesion?

What was done?

From October 2019, Theos researchers visited local communities to find out about the positive ways in which religious groups fostered or undermined social cohesion. About 400 people were interviewed, and a number of in-depth case studies were written.

Main findings and outputs

The research findings are wide-ranging (reading the full report, linked below, is strongly recommended). Here are some that have particular RE / R&W relevance:

  • Cohesion policy has been shaped by security concerns, that frame faith as a risk factor and as the preserve of ethnic minorities.
  • But in the wake of Brexit, this is changing, and there are opportunities for re-assessment.
  • Religious membership can provide ‘spiritual capital’, or hope, to people – and it can be a platform for more inclusive public discussion.
  • Religious identity needs to be seen as intersecting with other identity factors; feelings of belonging can be present across religious identities.
  • The contribution of faith groups to social provision increased greatly during the years of ‘The Big Society’ and ‘Austerity’. A quarter of all UK charity is now faith-based. In the past 10 years, 34% of organisations registering as charities have been faith-based. This trend will increase post-COVID.

Relevance to RE

These findings are relevant in different ways, for example, the ‘intersecting’ nature of religious identity is very relevant to the RE-R&W transition. However, the main focus might be religion’s increased social function as a voluntary services provider. Given this change, subject teaching might focus more on examples of such projects. Case studies are given in the report and teachers could make contact with local groups to organise pupil fieldwork and dialogue.

Generalisability and potential limitations

The research provides broad evidence of religion’s current contribution to UK social cohesion. It is mainly focused on England.

Find out more

Madeleine Pennington, “Cohesive Societies: Faith and Belief. Examining the role of faith and belief in cohesive societies”. July 2020.

The report is available open access at https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications/cohesive-societies-faith-and-belief/

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