عنوان

A study of some relationships between religious belief, feelings of guilt and self-evaluation

Number

TLets578176

Title Proper

A study of some relationships between religious belief, feelings of guilt and self-evaluation

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Fiske, Paul F. B.

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

Durham University

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

1971

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

Durham University

Text preceding or following the note

1971

Text of Note

Kirkby Stephen is a relatively isolated parish in Rural NorthWestmorland. The population is concentrated in a small town andnearby farms and cottages. The economy is considered to be in astate of crisis due to factors beyond the control of the localpeople. Several attempts are being made to revitalise it, butthese are frustrated by parochial loyalties, traditional ways ofdoing things and the fact that it is impossible to isolate economicfrom political factors and the other factors which make up thesocial system.Kirkby Stephen has many points in common with rural Wales andpre Second World War Ireland. The peculiarity of Kirkby Stephen isthat, in spite of its many contacts with urban influences, itretains so many of the features by which Frankenberg characterisesthe 'truly rural' community.Although the majority of the population oppose 'new' ideasand attempt to reject urban values, social change is taking place.Formal and informal non-sectarian leisure time activities arechanging in character. In the sectarian activities changes areless obvious. For, although attendance at religious services inKirkby Stephen has followed the national trend, sectarian activitiesare well patronised. The religious sphere has several distinctivefeatures, the two most outstanding being the stressing of Temperanceas an important aspect of Nonconformity, in particular Methodism,and the fact that 19th Century Nonconformist Ideals very largelyform the basis of the local value system.The most socially active age group in the society is the over6o•s. It is the old in years and residence who are the decisiontakersin the society. Society respects them and in extreme old agecares for them. In doing this the people display independence ofthe Welfare State and the fact that they are a community not justan association of people.In conclusion the community's orientation towards the ruralrather than the urban life is evaluated and the belief that theyare isolated from other communities is seen to result in intensificationof kinship obligations and the social interdependence of thewhole community.

Fiske, Paul F. B.

Durham University

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y