3D: Secularisation Flashcards
Faith school
A school associated with a particular religious tradition
Privatisation
The movement from public to private expression of religion. The idea that religion is something to keep to oneself
Secular
Not connected with religious/spiritual matters
Secularisation
The process of society moving away from religion
Secularism
the belief that secularisation is good for society
Theocracy
“Rule of God” - belief that state activities should be aligned with religious principles or that religious officials should carry out governance
Secularisation thesis
The claim that UK society has become less religious over time
According to the England and Wales census, how has Christianity declined?
2001: 72% identified as Christian
2011: 59%
2021: 46%
What are the three aspects of secularisation?
- decline in belief
- decline in Church attendance
- decline in cultural influence
Do you think Christianity should be prioritised as a subject of study in RE?
No: there should be an equal treatment of learning about every religion in order to create a broader view on belief systems
In what way do C of E bishops have a direct influence on UK Law in the House of Lords?
There’s currently 26 bishops sitting in the House of Lords. Some argue that we should add leaders from other religions
In what way does the BBC have a duty to broadcast religious programming?
Includes Songs of Praise and Thought for the Day
How has Church attendance in the Church of England declined?
Dropped from 1.6 million every Sunday to 800,000 over 50 years
Evidence to suggest that Britain IS a Christian country
- England and Scotland have established Churches
- King is head of state and supreme governor of C of E
- 26 bishops in House of Lords
- 1/3 of England schools have a Christian character
- BBC has a duty to broadcast religious programming
- Church buildings prominent in every town/village
- Most funerals still happen in churches
- “The most significant event in people’s lives tend to happen in a Church”: Rees
- Cultural Christianity still impacts many
- YouGov: 56% of Brits say Britain is a Christian country
- Major holidays stem from Christianity
- National anthem has religious connotations
Evidence to suggest that Britain is NOT a Christian country
- British Social Attitudes survey 2013: 50.6% report to have no religion. 41.7% Christian
- Church attendance is dropping; 1.6m to 800,000 in 50 years for C of E
- Churches have been closed and converted into other buildings
- Woodhead’s research: most parents choose faith schools for academic standards and location, not ethical/religious reasons
- Laws relating to abortion, same sex marriage etc have changed in spite of vocal oppression from religious groups
- BSA 2013 survey: for every convert made by the C of E, they lose 12 members
- Growth in number of humanist funerals and humanists
- 60% of marriages in UK are civil ceremonies, not religious
- Christianity is now a minority in the UK: only 46% of population. outnumbered by those with no religion