Secularisation

Question 1

Secularisation in Britain - stats

Answer 1

Less people go to church today, only 6% of adult population attended church in 2005, Sunday school and church wedding attendance is declining.

Question 2

Religious belief today

Answer 2

Decline in the belief in God
Religious affiliation is declining
Some small organisations have grown

Question 3

Religious institutions

Answer 3

Steady and unremitting decline.
State has taken over many functions church used to perform eg schools and hospitals

Question 4

Reasons

Answer 4

Rationalisation - rational ways of thinking replace religious ones. Disenchantment, we now know things occur due to natural forces so religious explanations are no longer needed.
Technological world view- replaced religious explanations.

Structural differentiation- specialised institutions develop to carry out different functions previously performed by the church. Religion is now separated from wider society and privatised into home.

Social and cultural diversity- industrialisation destroys stable local communities and destroys religions base. Rise in individualism leads to a decline in religious belief and practice

Religious diversity - every religion has a different version of the truth, undermines the Plausibility structure.

Cultural defence - defence of national or ethnic group identity
Cultural transition - religion provides a sense of community for ethnic groups living in a different country and culture

Question 5

Secularisation in USA

Answer 5

Religion has become superficial
Declining church attendance - 40% of population, however cold be exaggerated
Secularisation from within- religion has become a form of therapy in which people seek personal improvement eg yoga and spirituality

Religious diversity and relativism - accepting others are entitled to different beliefs than your own.
Everyone’s different views undermines your own.