Lecture 3 Secularisation: measures

Question 1

Who studied the secularisation of religious institutions?

Answer 1

Herberg

Question 2

What is an issue of desacrilisation?

Answer 2

There is a growth of new religious movements, new age movements and fundamentalism

Question 3

What idea does Weber believe in to show that secularisation is occurring?

Answer 3

Desacralisation - world is becoming more scientific and rational

Question 4

What is religious differentiation?

Answer 4

Parts of society become more specialised so religion loses its functions

Question 5

What does religious participation measure?

Answer 5

The number of people involved in religious groups and activities in the form of church going and other religious actions

Question 6

Which founding father believes that science results in secularisation?

Answer 6

Comte

Question 7

What are Bruce’s three explanations for secularisation?

Answer 7

Religious pluralism, rationalisation and social differentiation

Question 8

Define religious pluralism

Answer 8

Co-existence of many different types of religious organisation in society

Question 9

Name the issues with these measures

Answer 9

Assume there is a golden age
Exaggerates the rational
Doesn’t account for NRMs and NAMs
Often looks just at de-Christianisation and not religion as a whole

Question 10

Name the five measures of secularisation

Answer 10

Religious participation
Religious pluralism
Desacrilisation
Secularisation of religious institutions
Religious disengagement, societalisation, differentiation