Religion Topic 17 Flashcards
The British social attitudes survey:Belief in god
I don’t believe in god
10% ———-> 30%
(1998 to 2018)
2011 and 2021 census
Overall loss of religious identification
60% Christian ——> less then 50% Christian
30% no religion——> around 40%
British religion in numbers: religious ceremonies
Baptism declined by 70 % since the 1920s
{Confirmation ceremonies fell by 30%
Religious funerals fell by 20%} from 2002 to 2009
Reduced moral influence ‘ONS’
Religious marriages ceremonies
1966 2016
2/3 1/3
Non religious marriage ceremonies
1/4. 3/4
AEI American enterprise institute: decline in religion moral influence
1) millennials are increasingly likely to have a spouse who’s not religious-may help reinforce secular worldview
2) changing views of the relationship between morality and religion-
Religion is no longer seen as an obvious source of ethical development
50% take them to ‘religious services’
Compared to 60% baby bonnets who attended church regularly
Church attendance statistics
1851 census- 40% of England And wales
Vs 2% in 2021
Occasional in person attendance
Religion decreased influence on political figures
Martin - contrast of current situations and earlier times
King Henry the 8th broke with Catholic Church to form the Church of England
For more direct control over th finances and granting himself the power of divorce.
Religions decreasing influence on policy
-Roman Catholicism and other religions oppose abortion
-Islam crocuses the practise of usury, landing money for interest.
Declining role of religion in social life
1) many millennials never had string ties to religion to begin with.
20% said they were not raised in any particular religion compared to only 5% of Baby boomers
2)spouse who’s not religious
3) changing views on the relationship between morality and religion
Karl marks: the fall of religion after communism
Religion would not be necessary in order to cope with the difficulties of capitalism’s if it was eradicated. Communism would bring support and happiness in the way religion previously had done. Class division would be erased within communist society
Maw Weber
Pre industrial societies were characterised by belief in faith and magic.
As part of rationalisation a Process of disenchantment would follow
Durkheim
Small pre industrial societies- mechanical solidarity aka social unity based upon share values/ similarity .
Religion was important at this time to achieve a collective consciousness.
Industrialisation saw the rise of efficient division of labour, differences and variety boomed and so organic solidarity became a thing aka Social unity based on mutual interdependence-Religion is less relevant in pro binding shared norms and values
Steve Bruce factors causing secularisation
1) structural differentiation-
Different institutions separate and are less interconnected. They have separate, dinstict roles. Such as church and state.
2) individualism- less indulged by organisation and institutions.less of social obligation to practise religion. Religion commitment becomes a better of private choice
3) societalisation -society becoming larger and less connected unlike in small communities like villages.undermines religions which were traditionally organised in small groups such as local parish churches