SECULARISATION

Question 1

SECULARISATION

Answer 1

process where religious thinking loses social significance

Question 2

PROBLEMS WITH MEASURING SECULARISATION

Answer 2

DEFINITIONS: there is LITTLE CONSENSUS on what is meant by the term RELIGION

Question 3

RATIONALISTION

Answer 3

RATIONALISATION refers to the process where rational ways of thinking replace religious ones. Western society has undergone this process in the last few centuries. WEBER argues the PROTESTANT REFORMATION started the process of RATIONALISATION in the WEST. RATIONALISATION undermined the religious views of the MIDDLES AGES and REPLACED it a RATIONAL SCIENTIFIC outlook.

Question 4

DISENCHANTMENT

Answer 4

PROTESTANT REFORMATION started the DISENCHANTMENT of the world - squeezed out the religious ways of thinking and starts the rationalisation process, enabling SCIENCE to THRIVE and give HUMANS MORE POWER TO CONTROL NATURE.

Question 5

TECHNOLOGICAL WORLDVIEW

Answer 5

BRUCE the growth of TECHNOLOGICAL WORLDVIEW has REPLACED RELIGIOUS explanations of why things happen. EG when a plane crashes, there are SCIENTIFIC and TECHNICAL explanations not the WORKS OF THE DEVIL. RELIGIOUS EXPLANATIONS only SURVIVE where TECHNOLOGY is LEAST EFFECTIVE: someone dying without a SCIENTIFIC CURE.

Question 6

RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Answer 6

BERGER argues the PLAUSIBILITY STRUCTURE creates a CRISIS OF CREDIBILITY for religion. DIVERSITY undermines WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE IN RELIGION. WHEN THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS TO CHOOSE from , PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO QUESTION THEM ALL WHICH REDUCES THE CERTAINTIES OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION. RELIGION BECOMES RELATIVE NOT ABSOLUTE.