Secularisation Flashcards
What is secularisation?
Secularisation is the process by which religious institutions, practices, and beliefs lose their social significance.
True or False: Secularisation leads to an increase in religious beliefs in society.
False
What term describes the decline of religious authority in public life?
Secularisation
Fill in the blank: According to Wilson, secularisation is the result of _______.
modernisation
What is the significance of the term ‘disenchantment’ in the context of secularisation?
Disenchantment refers to the loss of magical or supernatural explanations for events, replaced by rational and scientific understanding.
Name one sociologist who argued that secularisation is a linear process.
Bryan Wilson
What is one indicator of secularisation in society?
Decline in church attendance
True or False: Secularisation is uniform across all societies.
False
What does ‘religious pluralism’ refer to?
The coexistence of multiple religions and belief systems within a society.
Fill in the blank: The _______ hypothesis suggests that as societies become more modern, they become less religious.
secularisation
What is one effect of secularisation on religious institutions?
Reduced power and influence in political and social affairs.
Name one country that is often cited as experiencing high levels of secularisation.
Sweden
What role does education play in the process of secularisation?
Education promotes critical thinking and scientific understanding, leading to a decline in religious explanations.
True or False: Secularisation results in a complete disappearance of religion.
False
What is the ‘secularisation thesis’?
The theory that as societies progress, they become more secular and less religious.
What does the term ‘religious fundamentalism’ imply in the context of secularisation?
A reaction against secularisation, where individuals or groups seek to return to traditional religious values.
Fill in the blank: The _______ of religion is often associated with the rise of individualism in modern societies.
privatisation
Name a factor that contributes to secularisation.
Technological advancement
What does ‘religious decline’ refer to?
The decrease in the number of people identifying with or practicing a religion.
True or False: Secularisation can lead to the growth of new religious movements.
True
What is one criticism of the secularisation thesis?
It oversimplifies the complex relationship between religion and society.
What is the term for the societal shift from collective religious practices to individual spirituality?
Privatisation of religion
Fill in the blank: Secularisation is often linked to _______ and urbanisation.
industrialisation
What does ‘secular ethics’ refer to?
Moral principles that are based on reason and humanistic values rather than religious beliefs.
Name one sociologist who opposed the secularisation thesis.
Steve Bruce
What is the relationship between secularisation and globalization?
Globalization can lead to increased exposure to diverse beliefs, contributing to secularisation.
What are changes in religion since 1851 Census (UK)?
Decline in population of church goers, mid 19th century = 40%, 1960s = 10-15%
- Increase in average age of church goers
- Fewer baptisms and church weddings
- A decline in the numbers hold traditional Christian beliefs
- Greater diversity, including more non-Christian religions
