Secularisation Flashcards
Britain as a secular society
pre modern peoples lives controlled by church
reformation allowed indivualsit approach
18th century - based on reason - scientific thought still allowed individual approach
19th century - greater religious freedom
20th century - massive number of those who were christians who aren’t practising
late 20th century - scandals grew
replacement of religion as source of truth and moral values
christians would refer to bible as source of morality
right and wrong
development of social science weakened links to religion
what are the 3 views that weakened religion of science
- anthropologists - concepts of right and wrong as affected by culture
- Marx - regarded religion as social and political tool weeded by those in power to control masses
- freud - satisfied a psychological need
what is secular humanism
belief that people can love morally good lives without religion
relegation of religion to personal sphere
increasing secularisation meant that faith seen as personal choice no longer have to say if christian
christianity still important in Britain
Church of England is established church
national anthem
1 Timothy 6
for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil
materialism
key feature of modern secular lifestyle lies in 16th century wealth provides security in a mentalist society - christians are influenced by this
growth of materialism
post reformation changed view secure family life depends on wealth Britain developed capitalism by there expansion of power to Africa. capitalism was reforged by 19th century from industrial revolution which led to poverty, challenged by Marx
give 3 ways materialism is seen in society
- those who are richer get more
- those who are poor pin happiness on money
- material possessions now seen as important more than spiritual qualities
New Testament attitudes to wealth and possessions
Jesus time wealth meant you had Gods approval
Jesus said that it was hard for wealthy get into heaven
told rich man must give everything to poor for heaven - mark 10
parable of rich man and Lazarus Luke - rich man was reminded to care for poor was at heart of all teachings
Jesus didn’t like wealth. Jesus said Zacchaeus was saved Luke 19 after giving money
Bruderhof
set up early 20th century
see materialism as main problem facing world
live in communities with no personal property
make certain vows to live life simply
prosperity gospel
other extremest
no international movement started pentecostal tradition
many churches have been set up despite scandals
teaches christian beliefs and practices are rewarded by God in material possession and well being
members need to do evangelistic work
most christians see as corrupt and inconsistent unhealthy
mainstream christians
think there is nothing wrong in having wealth but possession of it entails great responsibility for its use
christains are to be good stewards of there wealth - share it
many churches involved in running food banks encourage members to be part of it. christian aid
militant atheism
late 20th century
people who think religion is dangerous thing it is irrational
Rickard dawkins
god delusion
his claims create controversy as many scientist are theologians
attacks religion
what is Richard Dawkins argument
- God hypothesis - belief in supernatural being miracles they are irrational and contrary to good science
- religion is harmful - spreads like virus
- encourages discrimination - major cause of conflict
- form of mental abuse to teach children religion
- people can be morally good without religion
key argument against God - God is complex being a complex being would require great time to evolve therefore God can’t be placed at beginning of universe to start it of therefore God doesn’t exist
what is Dawkins counterargument
God is outside of time and doesn’t require evolution
what is McGraths argument
atheist but became christian
not attempt to prove God show argument is flawed
1. challenges view that science disproves religion by discussing relation between two. religion and science come from 2 different but valid perspectives
2. dakins assumes stuff about bible shows limited range of knowledge
3. Dawkins is biased in supporting atheism view - very unscientific approach
what did McGraths argument want to do
wants less dogmatic more reasoned approach to reality where you admit assumptions create openness to potential evidence for meaning purpose and God
fresh expressions
set up CofE
movement - evangelical aim to share Christian thinking - aim to share christian thinking not draw people into traditional christian community
works alongside church
shares with those who have no contact with church
about listening to lives of ordinary people
how life of Jesus would give to those experiences
what is a disadvantage of fresh expressions
without building hard to observe sacred space
what is an advantage o fresh expressions
consistent with Jesus; teachings values people unconditionally
house church movement
views secularisation largely hostile to church
early days of religion people met in houses
especially explored in evangelical and charismatic traditions
approach to bible is fundamentalist
focus on individual experience
Charismatic Movement type of worship - prophecy, healing
what is advantage of house church movement
small group they are authentic in their faith
what is disadvantage of house church movement
can become narrow less effect in serving community
christiantys continuing relevance to a secular society
Britain = religion socially relevant
CofE - established church - connected king and parliament christian leaders comment on social issues and are respected
times of major disaster people turn to church to express tried
church plays part in tragedy
give 2 examples of social involvement in how teachings of Christianity are socially relevant
- god samaritain luke 10
jess put caring for those in need before religious rules
2, has theological basis in doctrine of incarnation
god is immanent fully involved in world god becomes human so all humans life matters
Liberationist approaches supporting the poor - defending oppressed
central and southern America
late 20th century extreme poverty by politics caused problems
1. some christian leaders advocated a non confrontational and non violent response
2. liberationist approach - Catholic Churches joined with secular protest groups to force change
some saw violent action only way of removing corruption and established justice for poor
can be summed up - key Jesus teaching
liberation theology - linked Jesus support for poor and call to social justice with Marxist ideas about social revolution to create a more equal society
poor knew God better - must rely on him for survival James 2
britain
late 20th centry - sow high levels of poverty created faith in city by CofE as result church urban fund was set up tackles problem. food banks were set up
all christians see importance of social action
