The Socio-economic Determinants of Religious Affiliation in an Urban Setting: the Case Study of Nairobi

Abstract

This study is about the socio-economic determinants of religious affiliation in an urban setting. The whole idea is that people affiliate with those religious groupings which they feel satisfy their needs contrary to the popular beliefs on spiriticism as well as "a call from God". Although this socio-economic orientation in religion has been there since time immemorial, little scholarly work has been done about it. The lack of study and adequate information on this kind of orientation has led to this study. This study had four main objectives, namely; to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic aspects and religious affiliations, to find out the impact of the level of education on religious affiliation among people, to investigate the role played by wealth in religious affiliation and finally, to investigate the process of religious schisms and their influences on religious groupings. In conducting this research, the researcher used library sources which formed the secondary data. An extensive field research was also done on this study. Random sampling technique was used to select informants. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews and were later analysed through descriptive method. The theoretical frameworks for this research are based on the cardinal utility theory and functionalism. These theories are applicable to the religious situation today Human beings choose their religious groupings rationally and ensure that their needs and wants are adequately satisfied. Religion here is a commodity that is capable of offering satisfaction in the form of security especially were science has failed in the process of explaining the psychological dissatisfaction.