Beliefs and Society: Topic 3- Secularisation

Question 1

Secularisation in Britain

What is the church attendence like in Britain today?

Answer 1

• By 2020, 4% of adults attended church on sundays
• The number of weddings in caltholic churches fell by 3/4 between the 1960s and 2010s

Question 2

Secularisation in Britain

What is religious affiliation like in Britain today?

Answer 2

• In 2018 the proportion of adults with no religion rose to over a half
• Same period, those identifying as christian fell by 40%

Question 3

Secularisation in Britain

What is religious belief like in Britain today?

Answer 3

• Surveys show belief in God and Jesus, chirsitian teachings, afterlife , the bible are declining
• Religious belief is declining as well as church attendence and membership

Question 4

Secularisation in Britain

What is religous institutions like in Britain today?

Answer 4

• The number of clergies in the 20th century fell from 45000 to 34000
• The number of priest fell by half between 1960s and 2020

Question 5

Explanations of secularisation

What are the explanations for secularisation?

Answer 5

• Rationalisation
• Structural differentiation
• Social and cultural diversity
• Religious diveristy

Question 6

Explanations of secularisation

What does Weber argue about rationalisation?

Answer 6

• Rational thinking has replaced religious ones.
• The protestant reformation in the 16th century started the process of rationalisation as they believed god was transcendent
• Undermined religious views and replaced it with logical thinking

Question 7

Explanations of secularisation: Weber- rationalisation

What does Weber argue about disenchantment?

Answer 7

• Before prodestamnt reform everyone was caltholic and saw god as transcendent
• After, prodestants came and they used science and reason to discover laws of nature

Question 8

Explanations of secularisation: Weber- rationalisation

What does Bruce argue about a technological worldvie to explain secularisation?

Answer 8

• A technological explanation leaves little room for religous explanation but helps when tech is least effective like prayer for illnesses
• Though science doesnt challenge religion it reduces scope for it

Question 9

Explanations of secularisation

What are the criticisms of Weber/Bruce?

Answer 9

• Science can justify religion
• Overgeneralises
• During times of hardship, people turn to religion
• Despite increased rationalisation, 50% of adults in the UK believe in life after death

Question 10

Explanations of secularisation

What does Parson and Bruce argue about structural differentiation?

Answer 10

• Parsons believes during pre-industrial times churches dominated institutions
• Churches, schools, healthcare
• But due to indusrtialisation they have become specialised institutions
• SD leads to disengagement as religious functions are transferred and disconnected from society
• Bruce agrees religion has lost former functions and is privatised

Question 11

Explanations of secularisation

How can Parsons be critiqued?

Answer 11

• The church no longer provdes functions, churches can focues on spirituality and meaning of life
• Religion is not disengaged from society- national celebration
• British legal system is still underpinned by religion- swear on oath

Question 12

Explanations of secularisation

How does social and cultural diversity explain secularisation?

Answer 12

• Pre-industrial: Society shared values through collective religious rituals
• Post- industrial: Society brings the decline of community and increase in diversity due to migration
• The difference led to people not knowing what to believe in

Question 13

How does religious diversity lead to secularisation?

Answer 13

• Before seen as sacred canopy
• Everyone was Catholic till protestant reform making different types of calthicism
• Too much choice led to them not knowing what religion to believe in

Question 14

Explanations of secularisation

What are the criticism to the explanations for secularisation?

Answer 14

• Cultural defence: Religion provides a ffocal point for the defense of national, ehtnic, local or group identity in struggle against hostile power
• Cultural transition: Religion provides support and community for ethnic groups like migrants

Question 15

Secularisation in American

What are the factors for secularisations in America?

Answer 15

• Declining church attendence
• Secularisation from within
• Religious diversity

Question 16

Secularisation in American

What is the argument for declining church attendence?

Answer 16

• Opinion poll found 40% were going to church since 1940 however study of church attendence in Ohio was claimed to be 83% higher than researchers
• People lied about their attendence to church
• Its socially acceptable to go to church hence people lying

Question 17

Secularisation in American

What does Bruce argue about secularisation from within?

Answer 17

• Burce argues religion has gone from being used for salvation to seeking personal development
• Can be seen in peoples attitudes and lifestyle

Question 18

Secularisation in American

What are the criticisms of secularisation theory?

Answer 18

• Evidence of falling church attendence ignores those who believe but dont go
• One sided- ignores growth of new religions
• Religion may have declined in Europe but not globally