christianity + the challenge of secularisation Flashcards
How is secularisation increasing?
- Decrease in Church attendance
- Decrease in weddings, baptism, funerals in Church
- Increase in liberal views on sexual ethics+gender
What did the 2021 Census say?
For the 1st time ever, the no. of Christians in the UK has fallen below 50%; other religions are increasing BUT more ppl said pagan than atheist
What did the Protestant Reformation cause?
Became possible to hold individual beliefs that didn’t conform to nat. religion - science led to ppl thinking God wasn’t necessary
What did the 19th century lead to?
Ppl started seeing faith as a personal commitment
Why did Martin Luther protest against the Catholic Church?
He disagreed w the Priests who charged+prayed harder so dead loved ones could get into heaven
What was secular morality in the 19th century?
Morality was similar to religious morality, with the religious side removed
What is humanism?
The belief that ppl can live good lives wo religious/superstitious beliefs
What did Augustine believe in the 5th century?
Saw Christianity is smth that a person commits to in a personal way
What was the Peace of Westphalia in 15th cent.?
Those whose religion wasn’t the same as the state religion, should be free to practise in private
Why are the 2 reasons religion is increasingly being seen as a personal matter?
- No. of ppl who choose not to belong to any religion is rising (atheists/agnostics)
- Those in a religious trad. may insist that its not enough to just attend worship etc but should be convinced+committed to the religion
What is religion said to be?
‘Relegated’ to personal sphere where it’s seen as entirely a matter of personal choice+conviction
What is liberation theology?
Movement in Christianity which is based on Marxist views about society
Helping liberate ppl from oppression caused by poverty+powerlessness
What does ‘New Age spiritualities’ offer?
Individualised/local framework for ppl to explore ideas about meaning of life
What is militant atheism?
Belief in existence of God, life after death, miracles etc isn’t logical or based on evidence; so it’s irrational to believe in them
What does militant atheism blame religion for?
Blame religion for wars, inhumane treatment of other ppl + for ‘dumbing down’ human thought
What do some say militant atheists ignore?
Instances where conflict has been waged by atheist regimes (e.g. Soviet Union)
Disregard the way religion has contributed to intellectual development+human flourishing
What is the straw man fallacy?
-Ignore the real argument
-Create a pretend argument
-Defeat the pretend argument
-Claim victory over the real argument
What have ppl accused militant atheists of? Why?
The straw man fallacy
They define religious beliefs in over simplified terms, or attribute extreme views to all believers then scorn said views
What do militant atheists believe about religious beliefs?
They’re irrational
What is materialism?
Status in society is measured by wealth+possessions rather than by wisdom, virtue+intelligence
What did Jesus argue in the New Testament?
Poor ppl were blessed bc their sit. was going to be revered w the coming Kingdom of God
What is said in a parable in Luke?
Rich man contrasted w beggar who’s left hoping for scraps that fall from the rich mans plate
The rich man goes to a place of sugaring + the poor man enjoys comfort in heaven beside Abraham
What doesn’t Jesus do?
Condemn wealth; but he says its difficult for a rich man to enter heaven bc wealth can be seen as a distraction
What’s monastic tradition?
Men+women deliberately gave up personal wealth+lived in voluntary poverty
