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
What’s the Prosperity Gospel?
Form of Christianity which sees wealth, status+privilege as rewards from God for strong faith
How do some Christians see wealth?
Gift from God; but they feel an obligation to share their wealth
What does Dawkns believe about the God Hypothesis in ‘The God Delusion’?
- Religion depends on belief in God (God Hypothesis)
- God Hypothesis is flawed, God doesn’t exist
What does Dawkins believe about religion?
- Religion’s a primitive error that spread like a virus
- Undermines science
- Causes division
- Teaching children about religion is abuse
What do the McGraths say?
Science + religion are 2 diff. spheres; science isn’t in the position to criticise religion
What does the God Delusion raise?
Issues about homosexuality, slavery, freedom, abortion etc in the Bible
What is it argued that Dawkins criticises?
Minority view’s that aren’t shared by most Christians but he assumes such views rep. Christianity as a whole
What does Dawkins claim about children?
They might be deprived of a normal education bc their parents hold religious views that conflict w normal education
What do the McGrath’s say Dawkins chooses to oppose? Why?
Fundamentalism; it’s an easy target for reason/evidence
He ignores the liberal approach
What do the McGraths say that is flawed?
They think atheism is an excuse for immorality
What do the McGraths say Dawkins suffers w? What is this?
Cognitive bias
Favours evidence that supports the view he already has
What’s the aim of Fresh Expressions?
Evangelical aim
What does Fresh Expressions deal w?
Religious values+expressions in ordinary, secular situations
Language is Jesus centred
What does Fresh Expressions explore?
Life+attitudes of Jesus + how they may be reliant today, rather than beliefs or rituals
What does Fresh Expressions work alongside?
Ppl outside trad. churches
Mix w ppl who aren’t conventionally religious, in the way that Jesus did
How does Fresh Expressions communicate?
Informal chat about Christianity; works within secular life
Direction+meaning in life
What is Fresh Expressions not trying to do? What are they doing instead?
Not trying to persuade ppl that God exists
Bridges the gap bet. the world + current church
What does House Church movement believe about society? What do they reestablish?
Sees modern secular society as hostile to Christianity
Re-establish the practices of the Early Church when Rom. society was hostile to Christianity
When was the House Church movement established?
1960s
What did the House churchmen do?
Sep. from control, structures + doctrines
Guided by Holy Spirit
Who was the House Church movement developed for?
Ppl who wanted to meet+worship free from formal restraints of worship in Church buildings
Mainly black ppl who didn’t feel welcome
What’s the focus of the House Church Movement?
Community + healing
Focuses on power to heal; in some ways its secular but there’s some focus on religious teachings
What does the House Church Movement not discuss?
Don’t discuss whether God exists, but focuses on individual experiences
What examples are there that the House Church Movement is still based on some understandings of the bible?
Healing the sick, casting out demons
How is Christianity still socially relevant?
- Teachings engage w ppl in society today
- Actions of Christians can engage w lives of ppl in society today
- The teachings+actions work for change within society
What dies a ‘quietist’ argue?
Everything can be left in God’s hands + Christians shouldn’t engage in social/political action
Why might those who don’t attend church still feel a sense of attachment to a Church building?
- Rep a place where they/relatives were married + loved ones were buried
- Sense of permanence in the world
What does a Liberationist think about political issues today?
You can be religious + fight for injustice
Inspired by Jesus in New Testament
What’s an example of Liberationists speaking out against injustice?
Roman Catholic priests who spoke out against government in Latin America
Who were the 2 priests who are known for their speaking out against injustice in Latin America?
Gutierrez
Boff
What did the Pope disagree w?
Using Jesus in political movements
What did Liberationists want to do?
Change society to promote justice + give power to the poor + powerless
What did Traditionalists believe?
Primary concern of the church was to be support the poor by offering spiritual aid to individuals
Who was Oscar Romero?
Priest who spoke against the government and was assassinated whilst saying Mass at a cancer hospice
