Secularisation Flashcards
secularisation
Refers to the decline in influence of religion in society. Decline in the population who attend or belong to a church. Increase in average age of church goers. Fewer baptisms. Greater deversity in non- religious in the UK
Wilson (1966)
Argues western societies over the last few decades have been going through a long term process of secularisation. Refers to the fact that religion has less influence at the societal, industrial and the individual level. He uses church attendance statistics to support his clams. 1800’s- 40% 2015%- 5%
religious affiliations-
social surveys can provide us with in formation about religious affiliations (what religions people follow). Surveys have shown a rise in the % of the population who state they have no religious affiliation. 1983- 33% 2014- 50%
Religion as an institution education
lost a lot of power & influence in society. the state has taken over many of the functions that religion sued to preform & is simply not as important for society anymore. For example up until the mid 19th centuries were the only insituations ho provided education. now sate has set up schools nationally that are compulsory for everyone.
RATIONALISATION
MAX WEBER
Secularisation has occurred due to a process called ‘rationalisation’ which means the replacement of religious beliefs with rational ways of thinking and acting.
Medieval Times: Dominated by an ‘enchanted’ worldview; belief in supernatural beings and interventions shaping events.
Protestant Reformation (16th Century): Introduced disenchantment; belief that God created the world but does not intervene. Events explained through rationality and reason.
Bruce (2011) support Wever rationalisation theory
States that religious beliefs have now been replaced with globally accepted scientific & technological explanations for actions and events. The growth of a ‘technological world view’ has replaced religious or supernatural explanations of why things happen
Parsons and structural differentiation
Structural differentiation is a the way more specialised, social institutions emerge to take over functions that were once performed by a single institution. Parsons argues that this has happened to religion state-sponsored specialised agencies and secular charities have taken over many concerns previously dominated by religion.
According to Parsons, structural differentiation of society has led to:
Disengagement: Religion’s functions (e.g., education) transferred to specialised institutions (e.g., schools).
Privatisation: Religion confined to the private sphere (home, family) and becomes a matter of personal choice.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY
-Decline of community due to industrialization leads to a decline in religion. Wilsom notes that pre-industrial societies had shared values expressed through collective religious rituals, which integrated individuals.
-Bruce industrialization disrupts the consensus of beliefs in small rural communities, replaced by diverse urban communities.
-Increased social and geographical mobility created diversity, breaking up traditional communities.
-The diversity of beliefs challenges the plausibility of any single religion, as individuals encounter differing views. -Individualism further undermines religion, as it relies on a practicing community of believers.
Religious Diversity
Berger (1969)
argues another cause of secularisation is the trend towards religious diversity where there is not just one religion in a society different religions exist alongside each other
Sacred Canopy: In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church dominated, creating a unified belief system shared by all.
Protestant Reformation: Split from Catholicism in the 16th century led to the rise of alternative beliefs and religions.
This creates a loss of Unity: Society no longer unified under one belief system.
Decline in Plausibility: Diversity prompts questioning of religions—if multiple exist, which one is correct?
American secularization
Wilson found 45% of Americans attended church on Sunday’s. Church going is more of an expression of the ‘American ay of life’ than having a deep meaningful religious meaning. Said America a secular society not because people had abandoned church but as religion had become superficial.
POSTMODERNIST THEORIES ON SECULARISATION
Supported by DAVIE (2013)
Argue religion is not declining, but merely changing as society develops.
Davie argues religion is not declining but taking a
different form a more privatised form. People may not openly belong or attend a church, but still privately
believe. She calls this ‘believing without belonging’.
Davies- ‘BELIEVING WITHOUT BELONGING’
People no longer feel ‘obliged’ to go to church, believe certain things and behave in certain ways. Religion is no longer imposed on people as an obligation, and is now a matter of personal choice. Infant baptism was seen as an obligation, a right of passage. Infant baptisms are
in decline, but adult baptisms are rising showing people choose to be religious.
DAVIE (2013)
vicarious religion
The Spiritual Health Service
‘vicarious religion’ people are still involved with religion vicariously. A small number of professional clergy
practice religion on behalf of a much larger number of people, who experience it second hand. Despite low attendance levels, people still identify with the church.
Satistics only show the tip of an iceberg and as evidence of ‘believing without belonging’
In Europe, the major national churches are seen as public utilities like a sort of ‘Spiritual Health Service’
like the NHS there used when needed such as for weddings, funerals as well as major national occasions like Princess Diana’s funeral
Iyon changing nature of religion
Globalizations
Increased connectedness of societies which has greatly led to increased movement of ideas and beliefs across boarders. This has happened as a result of technologies and media which saturate us with images and messages form around the globe removing time and space and giving us instant access to the idea and beliefs of previously remote religions.
Lyon changing nature of religion
online religion and religion online
Religion online- internet gives people opportunities to practice and use religion online. Religions use the internet to communicate and practice their beliefs. People can watch services via live stream and read online versions of the bible. Can discuss and practice their religion from with people from all around the world.
Religion online- cyber religion that does not exist outside of the internet. A form of communication allowing individuals to create non-hierarchical relationships and a sense of community. visit virtual worship, medication and provide mural support
Religion consumerism- Hervieu
Definition of individualism
Religion is a production we consume. Hervieu- Leyer said we can pick and choose aspects of religion that we consume to suit our taste make them part of out identity until something more fashionable comes along. Ammerman’s study of an American family found they made use of different churches with out a strong loyalty to one.
Individualism- key idea linked all features together every individual free to decide what is true to them.
spitital revolution
Traditional church is giving way to a ‘holistic spirituality’ or new age spirital beliefs a practice that emphasises personal development and subject perspective.
Increase seen in the spirital market. more self help and spirital books and practitioners who offer consultants courses and therapies in meditation and crystal healing.
Linda woodhead and paul heels
spitital revolution
study in Cumbria examined the decline of traditional religion and the rise of spirituality, identifying two main groups:
-congregational traditional evangelical Christianity
-holistic milieu of spirituality and New Age beliefs.
In 2000, 7.9% of the population attended church, while 21.6% participated in related activities. Traditional congregational churches are declining, evangelical churches maintaining their presence. -study suggests shift reflects a cultural move from duty and external authority to exploring the inner self through spirituality. While both types of churches emphasize discipline and duty, evangelical churches focus more on spiritual healing and personal growth through the concept of being “born again.”
Steve bruse critisisms of new age spirituality
-The rising of the new age spirituality is not growing fast enough to close the gap of secularisation.
-There is overall a weak commitment to new age spirituality
structural weaknesses-
-new age spirituality itself causes secularizations because of its subjective individualist nature it is based on the idea that there is no higher authority than the self
-This means that unlike traditional religion the new age: lacks an external power, cannot achieve consensus about its belifs cannot evangelse (persuade other of the truth )
The religious market theory
Stark & BainBridge
-Secularization theories are criticized for focusing on the decline of religion in Europe while ignoring its growth in America and other regions.
-These theories also present a distorted view of the past, suggesting there was never a “golden age” of religion.
-Religious market theory proposes that people are inherently religious and religion fulfills human needs, leading to a constant overall demand for religion but demand for specific types varies.
-Argues individuals weigh the costs and benefits when choosing religions, like businesses competing in a spiritual marketplace.
-Increased diversity and choice have heightened competition among religions, with those that align with people’s tastes and beliefs experiencing growth.
Costs and benifits of religion
Financial donations, time commitment and any tension with wider society by joining.
Rewards and compensatory such as stress relief spiritual fulfillments, a promise of future salvation, life after death, status in community
America VS Britain
Stok & Bainbrige
Believe religion thrives in the USA because there has been a religious monopoly there. The constitution gratitudes freedom of religion & separation of church and the state. Has always been a great viriaty of denominations to choose from. Encouraging the growth of a healthy religious market where religion grows or declines according to customers demands.
In Europe it is entirely different. Most European countries have been dominated by an official state church. Competition has been held back and the lack of choice has led to a decline.
Why America have a bigger Religious market
Hudden & Shape
Finke 1997
Argue growth of ‘televanglism’ in America shows that the level of religion participation is led by commercial funding of religion broadcasts being in 1960s is opening up competition when evangelical churches thrive. As a commercial enterprise ‘televanglism.’ Respond to the commercial demands by preaching a ‘prosperity gospel’
Argues the lifting of restrictions on Asian immigrants into America in the 1960s allowed Asian religions to set up prematurely in the USA and asian faith became another option that provided popular with consumers in the religions marketplace
Critisisms
-Bruce- Rejects the view that diversity and competition increases the demand for religion statistics show that diversity has been accompanied by religious decline in both Europe and America. Says Stark & BainBridge miss represent secularization theories. The theory does not claim there was a past ‘golden age’ of religion or that everyone will become atheists, simply claims that religion has a long term of declining. Did not claim that sexualization is universal, just applies to Europe and America.
-Beckford- Criticized religious market theory as unsociological because it emphasizes people are naturally religious and fails to explain why they make the choices they do.
An alternative view: secularisation and security
Norris and Inglehart (2011)
EXISTENTIAL SECURITY THEORY
-Reject religious markettheory on the grounds that it
only applies to America and fails to explain the variations in religiosity between different societies.
-Reason for variations in religiosity between societies is not different degrees of religious choice but different degrees of existential security.
-Existential Security is the feeling that survival is secure enough for it to be taken for granted.
-Religion meets a need for security, and therefore societies where people already feel secure have a low demand for religion
Norris and Inglehart
LOW LEVELS OF EXISTENTIAL SECURITY
-Societies where the majority of the population face threats to survival, vulnerability, and insecurity in their lives.
-This may be due to factors like poverty, war, flood
-These societies have high levels of religious participation because religion provides answers and reassurance about their future and the afterlife has an appeal.
-Norris and Inglehart found that countries like Chad have high levels of religious participation
Norris and Inglehart
HIGH LEVELS OF EXISTENTIAL SECURITY
-Societies where the majority of the population grow up with feelings of well being, safety and confidence. They tend to be economically developed countries with
welfare states.
-Norris and Inglehart argue this is why countries like the UK, Sweden and Norwa are the most secular. High levels of existential security diminishes the need for
religion.
USA State welfare and religiosity
-Some would suggest that existential security theory fails to explain why the USA is still highly religious.
-Norris and Inglehart argue that this is not an ‘exception’ but the USA, although a prosperous country is a very unequal country. There are still very high levels of poverty and insecurity for the poorest groups in the USA, which may explain the high religiosity.
Norris and Inglehart’s argument is supported by Gill and Lundegaarde who found that the more a country spends on welfare, the lower the level of religious participation. They also note that in the past religious used to provide welfare for the poor, and still does so in poorer countries. However, from the 20th Century, the state in the West began to provide welfare and this
contributed to religions decline
Fundamentalists
The approach of religious groups that look for the liberal interpretation of original religion texts or books believing that teachings obtain from these must be used in all social, economic and politics aspects.
Stick to tradition look back to a golden age in past. Seek a return to the basic/ fundermenta of there faith. religious fundamentalist different from traditional religion. Arises when traditional beliefs or values are threatened or challenged by modern society and especially by the impact of an increasingly globalized economy
Features of fundermentlism
-An authoritative sacred text- Everything the bible says is true, no error interpretation, historical fact. (Aldridge can not interpratate what the think is true id there inteptation see it as fact instead of metaphoric)
-An ‘us and them’ mentality- Separate themselves from rest of world
-Aggressive reaction- Aggressive toward other
Use modern technology- Oppose modern culture but keen to us modern technology to achieve aim
-Patriarchy- Controls woman sexuality, reproductive power, social/ economic role
Prophecy- Prophecy reviled in bible will take ace in contemporary society. like ‘last day’
Conspiracy theories- Attracted to this idea. Powerful hidden forces and organizations in control of human destiny
Explanation of fundermentlism
-Giddens- product of a reaction to globalization which undermines traditional social norms concerning the nuclear family, gender and sexuality (such as prohibiting of abortion, homosexuality, sex out side of marriage)
-In todays ‘late modern’ society individuals faced with uncertainity, choice, risk
-the attraction to fundamentalism and its rigided dominate beliefs in this certainty promises certainty in and uncertain world.
-Davis- fundamentalism occurs where those who hold traditional orthodox beliefs & values are threaten by modernity & feel need to defend them selves agains it.
Giddens Cosmopolitism
- Contrast fundamentalism. a way of thinking that embraces modernity & is in keeping with todays globalizing world. Tolerant of the view of other and open to new ideas, constantly reflecting on & modifying beliefs in the lights of new information (‘Reflexive thinking’)
-required people to justify there views by the use of rational arguments and evidence rather than by appealing to sacred text.
critisisms of Giddens Cosmopolitism
-Beckford distinguish too sharply between cosmopolitanism and fundamentalism ignore ‘hybrid’ movement’s
-they are fixed on ‘fundamentalism’ ignore other developments
-Giddens lumps all fundermentalis together
-Giddens describes fundamentalism as a defensive reaction to modernity ignore fact that reinventing tradition is also a modern ‘Reflective’ activity
Monotheism & Fundamentalist
-Like Giddens Bruce sees main cause of fundamentalism is the perception of religious traditions threatened by todays globalising world
-Bruce regard fundamentalism as being confident to monotheistic religions single god Christianity
- Bruce thinks this is because monotheistic religions are based on the notation of God’s will as relived through a single authoritative sacred text such as the Bible
2 Fundamentalisms - Bruce view
In the West- Fundamentalism a reaction to change taking place within a society especially the trends towards diversity & choice typical of secular late modern society. Like New civil religion aim to reassert ‘true’ religion where religion shapes laws & morals
Developing countries- Fundamentalism is usually a reaction to changes being put upon a society from the outside. It is triggered by modernisation and globalization in which ‘western’ values are imposed by foreign capitalism. Here fundamentalism involves resistance to the states attempts to sideline and confine to the private sphere.
Clash of civilisation
Hutingtion
Claims that due to globalization there are seven different civilisations in existence that transend national boarders. (Islamic, Western, Hindu, western, japiniese)
Each of these ‘civilisations’ often unite against a common enemy & therefore constantly attempt to generate an “us and them” mentality.
Religion major source of difference religious conflict becomes the battle ground of the civilisations. He says reason for rise in religious fundermentailm in Islam as Muslims attempt to fight the dominance of western Christian civilisation
Religious conflict harder to resolve than political ones as deep rooted in culture & history. Religion creates hostile ‘Us and them’ relationships increased competition between civilisations for economy, power, military
Criticisms for Hutingtion
Jackson- His work an example of orientalism wast ideologies stereotypes. Ester nationalities and people like Muslim untrustworthy inferior or fanatical ‘others’ & serves to justify exploration & human right abuse by west.
Kern Armstrong- Hostility towards the west dosent stem from fundamentalist Islam but is a reaction to Western foreign policy in the middle east. The west has create oppressive regimes and contributes to support Israel despite its aggressive treatment of Palesine
Inglehart & Norris
Use data from world values server conclude that the issue that divided west from Muslim world is not democracy but gender and sexuality. Found that support for democracy is similarly high in the west & Muslim world but differences to attitudes towards divorce, abortion, gender equality.
Wester attitudes liberal Muslims view remain traditional. Suggest last decade democracy become the political ideology to gain global appeal no global agreement on self expression values like tolerance on derversity gender equality freedom of speech. Believed this is real clash of civilizations between Muslim and western societies.
Bruce Cultural Defence
Function of religion in todays world as cultural defence. This is where religion serves to unite a community against an external threat. Religion has special significance for its followers because it symbolises the group or society collective identity. Defending the community against a threat often given religion a prominent role in politics.
How Globalization has impacted India
Nanda Prosperity & Religiosity
Brought rapid economic growth, more important in world political stage, rising posterity
Contradicts secularization thesis economic growth strengthens religiosity in India. In Hinduism MC sees wealth as divine blessing, not a reason to secularize.
Religious Consumerism wealth funds rituals, temples, and spiritual guidance.
Increased wealth has led to growth of Religious consumerism (temple donations, rituals, and services)
Economic success is linked to Hindu identity, strengthening religious and nationalist sentiments.
Hinduism as a Civil Religion in India
Impact on non- Hindus
Hinduism is closely tied to Indian identity, influencing politics, culture, and social values. Hindu ultra- nationalism the worship of Hindu gods has become the same as worshipping the national of India Hinduism has become a civil religion.
Marginalization of Minorities Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs may feel excluded from national identity.
Discrimination policies may favor Hindus over other faiths. Rise in violence fuel mob violence riots against minorities. Restrictions on religious freedom
Similarities Between Post-Confucian and Calvinist Values in Encouraging Capitalism
Hard work & discipline is emphasize in both self-discipline and diligence essential for economic success.
Wealth is to be reinvested rather than spent on luxury, fostering capital accumulation. In Calvinism, wealth is seen as a sign of God’s favor, while post-confucianism views success as a result of virtue and effort.
Berger pentecostalism & Weber’s Protestant Ethic
Sociologist Berger argues that Pentecostal beliefs share key similarities with Weber’s Protestant Ethic as both promote economic success: hard work & discipline pentecostalism encourages a strong work ethic, self-discipline, and perseverance.
Believers avoid wasteful spending and reinvest earnings, similar to Calvinists.
Prosperity seen wealth as a sign of divine favor, encouraging economic ambition. Calvinism, wealth is seen as a sign of God’s favor
Religious orginisations
-There are rough guidelines- Weber calls “ideal types”. Not easy to place a particular group into one category. Many classifications made for Christianity may not apply to other faiths.
-Weber & Troeltsch- first to attempt a classification of religious organizations and their distinction was between churches & sects.
-Sociologists since then have developed other classifications. 5 major forms of religious categories.(not all examples fit into 1 category some overlap)
Church
-Large universal membership
-Inclusive membership (members are born into the church and recruited as children)
-Large complex bureaucratic status and hierarchy and constantly tends to resemble large business organisations
-Have professional salary clergy who undertake training follow our professional ethos, compete for promotion and receive pensions
-Often formally tied to the state & ruling establishment
Denominations- Nebuhr
-Relatively large following
-Many members from WC or LMC backgrounds
-Some older denominations like Methodist inclusive membership people born into them and members tend to identify with their religion for life. Newer ones like Pentecostal mainly exclusive members.
-Usually national organisations. Places of worship can in cities & towns across the UK. Tend to have formal bureaucracies & hierarchies. But tend to be looser than churches. Rarely have bishops.
-Usually employed part time/ full time professional clergy, often unpaid volunteers.
-Some require high level of commitment beyond attendance. Methodists- refrain from alcohol gambling. -Must live tolerantly alongside other religions & accept religious diversity. However, Penteconter see themselves as true religions and only they will be saved by god.
Evaluation
Bruce’s defined church as- large, institutionalized religion with state ties and societal dominance.
Church of England Losing Church Status. Secularization declining attendance, reduced moral authority. religious pluralism growth of diverse faiths and secular beliefs.
Denominationalism functions more like a denomination than a dominant church.
Butler-Sloss- Britain’s religious landscape has changed, making the Church less relevant in modern society.
Decline due to religious pluralism (growth of Islam, Hinduism, and secularism.) Fewer people identify as Church of England. less institutional role and less influence on law and morality.
