Religion - Secularization (THEORIES)

Question 1

Augustus Comte

Answer 1

Theological > Meta Physical > Positive

Question 2

Durkheim

Answer 2

• Loss of importance for social solidarity, organic solidarity
• ”something eternal about religion”

Question 3

Max Weber

Answer 3

Rationalization would gradually erode influence of religion

Question 4

Karl Marx

Answer 4

As capitalism is replaced by classless communism, the social need for religion disappears.

Question 5

Structural Differentiation

who and what?

Answer 5

Parsons - loss of functions of major institutions, leads to a loss of centrality of the church.

backed by Bruce.

Question 6

social Differentiation

Answer 6

Steve Bruce

More social groups, more ability to move between them. Idea of a single universe & role became improbable.

Question 7

Social Differentiation > Individualism

Answer 7

Undermining traditional hierarchies (priesthood) because the value of individual > position held.

Question 8

Societalisation

who and what

Answer 8

Steve Bruce

Movement from concentrated local life to large urban societies & bug communities.

Question 9

Three Effects of Societalisation

Answer 9

• Churches are not focal points
• Unlikely to use priests for support
• Cultural diversity = questions previous beliefs, realize belief is a choice.

Question 10

Arguments Against Societalisation (2)

Answer 10

Slattery - no straightforward movement from strong to weak communities exists

Also, no statistical evidence.

Question 11

Good example of growth of Religious Pluralism?

Answer 11

England incorporated scotland and ireland, thus resulting in a mix of religious traditions and plurality of belief, and an inability of one church to dominate thinking in society.

Question 12

Strong vs. Weak Religion in Plural societies

Answer 12

Dominates lives, culture, and social fabric - not possible

is a choice of the people and has little social impact - thus can be widespread

Question 13

Argument Against Religious pluralism

Answer 13

Strong Religion isnt a necessary factor for religion to be important, instead just the thriving of religious institutions could indicate religiosity

Question 14

Cultural Defense

Answer 14

Steve Bruce

using increased religiosity as a type of ethnic clash. eg: in a political campaign

useless because it depends on conflict

Question 15

Cultural Transition

Answer 15

Using religion during a time of transition to obtain a sense of identity or acknowledgment

eg.
migrant asking to build a temple to get societal recognition

useless bc disappears after integration

Question 16

Resacrilization

Answer 16

Andrew Greeley

interest and belief in the sacred being revived as seen in growth of NRMs and NAMs

Question 17

Stark and Bainbridge

Answer 17

religion may decline, but if so then interest in the supernatural will spike as seen in USA (california) where less churchgoers but more sects.

Question 18

Sects as evidence of Seculaization

Answer 18

Peter Berger

Sects need cut off from society.

you need cut off when society isn’t religious

thus, sects support secularization.

Question 19

NAMs are NOT religious

Answer 19

Wilson
“superficial hedonism”
“transient gestures of defiance in a secular society”

Question 20

Bruce on NAMs (2)

Answer 20

1. few people join them

2. does not affect social fabric, thus not evidence of religiosity.

Question 21

NAMs and scientific orthodoxy

Answer 21

If people are willing to question scientific belief and place trust in faith, then this is evidence of religiosity.

Question 22

Paul Heelas and NAMs (Theory Only)

Answer 22

People have not become rational, rather search inside for spirituality rather than external things like churches.

“deeply embedded in western culture”
“radicalized version of humanistic expression”

Question 23

Bruce’s Argument to Heelas

Answer 23

1. just forms of pampering or entertainment, no spirituality

2. only a fashion of people born in the 1960s and will fade as they do.

Question 24

Rob Warner - conclusive new age

Answer 24

heelas exaggerates and bruce undermines nams.

instead, people are not dogmatically secular nor religiously orthodox and engage in “experiments in post-secularity”

Question 25

Disenchantment

Answer 25

Max Weber

The world is no longer mystical, magical. due to the development of rational thinking.