Definition

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Decline in importance of religion

Question 2

Based on

Answer 2

Membership of religious organisations; How many people claim to be a member of a church or of a religion?

Attendance at church; this is religious practice - the extent to which people involve themselves in attendance and participation in the rites of passage.

Influence of religion on attitudes and behaviour of individuals; this is religious thought - the extent to which people believe in concepts such as God, good and evil, sin and an after-life. This may be significant in terms of secularisation since religion may still exert a powerful influence over people’s lives in terms of personal beliefs. This point also involves the extent to which the Church, for example, is involved in the day-to-day secular order in any society; the extent to which religious organisations are able to exert influence and control over the running of the society in which they exist.