Secularisation Flashcards
What is secularisation?
religion losing its social and cultural significance as country becomes more secular
belief that religion should not be involved with a country’s social or political life
what are the two types of secularisation and what do they mean
- secularisation which argues religion should be a private affair, separate from the state but respected
- hard line secularisation, actively opposes religion, it’s dangerous illusion should be removed from society, promoted by Dawkins
What does Steve bruce say (4)
individualism and rationality is key for development
as ppl traveled more horizons grew, new political and social ideas focused more on the individual
toleration of difference and religion as a matter of preference
church is no longer for education, healthcare or social services
Steve bruce strengths and weaknesses (3,1)
S: reflects society’s thinking
promotes difference and tolerance
factual historical ideas
W: there has been a rise in religious belief and development in religious thought
Impact of secularisation on Christianity (5)
- significant decline in Christianity, esp in more economically developed countries
- CoE services have halved between 1980 and 2015
- larger part of population only focuses on celebratory parts of religion but not religious elements
- lawmakers in the UK seem to be no longer bound by Christian values
- media and academic world are more secular
Reasons for declining numbers (5)
Rejecting authority Scientific developments Philosophical empiricism Modern commercialism Negative associations
Explanation of first 3 reasons for declining numbers
Rejecting authority
many religions are characterised by a hierarchal leadership, less accepting than a society that values individualism
Scientific developments
at odds with traditional Christian interpretation
science is more intellectual, factual
Philosophical empiricism
academics challenge metaphysical beliefs, cant’s be verified more falsified, thus fanciful
religious belief can damage academic credibility
Explanation of last 2 reasons for declining numbers
Modern commercialism
increase of hedonism and commercialism
religion is via negative and has ideas of self sacrifice, conflicts pleasure and instant happiness
Negative associations
increased focus on problematic aspects of religion
worship seems dull
religiously inspired violence and abuse
Peter Berger’s idea for secularisation not taking over
pluralism doesn’t undermine religion, it changes the way we believe
we don’t conform to the churches structure, but choose individual what to believe
education argument for secularisation not taking over
arguments education reduces religious belief can be countered
in victorian England, there was an increase of belief amongst the well educated
In the US, those who believe influences with affluence and education
attendance argument for secularisation not taking over
attendance in new churches 75,000 to 166,000
Pentecostal churches 221,100 to 298,000
Pew research centre 2.9bil by 2050
Evangelical protestantism is the fastest growing
rise of nrms
science argument for secularisation not taking over
science does not inevitable lead to atheism
e.g. copernicus, polikinghorne
What is a new religious movement
a religious/spiritual group outside of society’s mainstream faith, e.g. moormans
used to be referred to as a cult or sect
what are the 3 types of NRMs
World rejecting
total commitment and rejection of mainstream society
World affirming
offers service, little commitment, doesn’t oppose mainstream society
allows people the opportunity to fulfil potential
Accommodating
in the middle of the two
Why do people want to join NRMs (5)
- NRMs protest against the established church
- ideal for the poor of minorities who feel rejected elsewhere
- sense of community
- may find self - direction and respect in a group
- fills spiritual emptiness
spirituality vs religion definitions
religion - believing in religion, e.g. God/God’s, practices it
spiritual - relating to a human spirit / soul over material or physical things
doesn’t necessarily reject religion, sees it as restrictive
Traditional spirituality
developed from the Holy Spirit, but now more disconnected from Christianity and traditional religions
Influenced by transcend teachings of Hinduism and other eastern philosophies
Modern spirituality
focuses on wellbeing and inner path
development of characteristics, love and compassion
can involve acceptance of the supernatural or divine
what does the humanist movement describe itself as
spiritual but not religious
Who is Richard Dawkins?
atheist, wrote God delusion
Dawkin’s three arguments against religion
Science contradicts religious belief
religion closes itself off from the truth
religious belief is dangerous
Dawkins argument about contradiction
Science contradicts religious belief
e.g. evolution: science says humans are highly developed mammals, christianity says we are a unique part of God’s creation
Religion is fanciful, a false fixed belief
Dawkins argument about truth
Religion closes itself off from the truth
conflicts literal interpretation of biblical chronology, some Christians say science is mistaken
common tendency in religion is to close their mind to the truth
Dawkins argument about danger
Religious belief is dangerous
atheists unite to oppose influence of religion in public life
believes religion in education indoctrinates, which he disagrees with
children influenced by their parents have their mind dulled, not critical or open minded
religion acts as a barrier in politics
criticisms of Dawkins (3)
Scientific fundamentalism
holds scientific ideas with the same certainty he rejects religion, darwinism has been questioned
some distinguished scientists accept theology has a role in discussions of origins of matter
His understanding of theology and religious belief is not careful
criticisms are aimed at specific ideas, like creation and he doesn’t understand critical nature of theological activity, bultmann rejects God as metaphysical being
Ability of science to just replace religion
science can’t provide all answers beings seek about the meaning of life, it has limitations
Who is Christoper Hitchins?
An antithesis who said the world would be better off without religion
Hitchins’ three arguments against religion
Opposition to totalitarianism
Antitheist
Consequence of religious ideas is intolerance
Hitchins’ argument about totalitarianism
Opposition to totalitarianism
opposes things which oppose individual freedom, religion restricts freedom
religion is a form of totalitarianism
“religion poisons everything”
Hitchins’ argument about antithesis
influence of religion in politics and society is dangerous and harmful
pursuit of scientific research and discover and free society
in favour of enlightenment goal
Hitchins’ argument about intolerance
Consequence of religious ideas is intolerance
fixed religious ideas leads to intolerance
conflicts around the world have roots in opposing religious ideas
intolerance is the essence of religious belief
Criticisms of Hitchins (3)
Ignores the good in religion
they commit themselves to a life of service to others, like Jesus’ teachings of love
hatred and intolerance of believers
intolerance is a distortion of religious teachings
Attitude of religion towards was
Just War Theory, influence of Islam and Christianity
Pope John XXIII and Dalai Lama condemn violence
Intellectual dishonesty
not dressed the extent to which modern culture and philosophy is based on religion
progress in society is multi-faced
religious thinking has contributed important contributions to human development
