Secularisation & Globalisation Flashcards
Definition of secularisation according to Wilson?
Wilson- it is the process whereby religious thinking, practice and institutions lose social significance
What are the 4 main points that support that secularisation is occurring?
- Bruce = societalisation and disengament
- Weber = enlightenment and rationalisation
- Lyon = Jesus in Disneyland
- Bruce = Industrialisation and religious pluralism
Who speaks about secularisation of the conscious?
Berger- people no longer think about how they can serve God’s will
Who speaks about secularisation from within?
Herberg- traditional religions are compromising beliefs in order to survive
Who argues that metanarratives have lost their power?
Lyotard- argues metanarratives have lost their power to influence people
What does Bruce argue about societalisation and disengagement to show that socialisation is occurring?
Bruce- argues societalisation is the process where the state is becoming more responsible over matters it is no longer religious matters
What is structural differentiation (Bruce)
structural differentiation has occurred where specialised agencies have taken over matters
What is the evaluation for structural differentiation?
structural differentiation happens in the western world but not led to a decline in all religions eg Islam is the fastest growing religion.
Woodhead argues religion has an influence over the establishments in the UK eg: state funded faith schools
Analysis showing societalisation and disengagement (Bruce) is occurring?
Davie- argues the church no longer hold moral influence due to their bad reputation and allowing homosexual marriage
Wilson- argues church is no longer involved in important areas like politics. Politicians don’t ensure their policies align with approval of religious education
What does Weber argue about englightenment and rationalisation to support secularisation is happening?
Weber- argues enlightenment is where people began to believe in science more.
Rationalisation is where the world is no longer under the control of irrational forces like religion.
What is desacrilisation (Weber)
where something sacred is becoming less influential
Evaluation for Weber’s rationalisation and enlightenment argument?
Thompson- suggests rationalisation argument exaggerates the rationality of modern society. Modern society do not always make rational decisions
Also this argument does not explain why religious institutions still exert influence
What does Lyon speak about in Jesus in Disneyland to support secularisation is happening?
Religion has now become a commodity meaning there is less of spiritual connection. religion is facing disneyfication where media
What does Bruce speak about in industrialisation and religious pluralism to support secularisation is happening?
Industrialisation has fragmented society to a market place or plurality of religions. With multiple religions people can begin to question if some religions are man made or false
Evaluation for Bruce’s industrialisation and religious pluralism argument?
Heelas et al claim that a growth in NA is not evidence of decline – rather its change
Bruce argues that these NAM are weak and will die out
Greeley (1972) and Nelson (1986) growth in evangelical churches, especially Pentecostal and charismatic movements suggest religion is undergoing revival in the UK. These churches offer more spontaneous aspects which are attractive to the young
Brierely (2013) growth of evangelical churches only amount to about one-sixth of followers lost from established churches.
How does Norris and Inglehart’s existential security theory support the idea that secularisation is occurring?
Secularisation is occurring in urban areas as they don’t need security
What does Davie speak about in believing without belonging to show that secularisation isn’t happening?
Davie- belief without belonging is the idea that people no longer need to make their religious beliefs public by going to church
What does Davie say about vicarious religion that supports belief without belonging and that secularisation isn’t happening?
Davie- vicarious religion is where people don’t belong but take part in religion vicarious religion eg: church leaders praying
Where did Davie do he research on vicarious religion and what did she find?
In Sweden Davie found that had the lowest church attendance but voluntarily pay extra taxed to maintain the church and pay the clergy
Evaluation for Davie?
Davie herself admitted that vicarious religion in about 30 years will die
What do Stark and Bainbridge say about the religious market theory to show that secularisation is not happening?
Stark and Bainbridge argue that religious organisations are like businesses meeting demands of people
Eval of the religious market theory ?
Bruce argues religious pluralism is a sign that religion is losing influence
How does the Rise in NAMs show that secularisation is not happening?
Heelas and Woodhead- argue there is a growing involvement in holistic milieu.
Soft religions like NAMS are increasing as there is a shift from doing a duty and obeying authority and more of a focus on exploring your inner self by following a spiritual path catered to you, less commitment and less demanding
How does Norris and Inglehart’s existential security theory support the idea that secularisation is not happening?
Existential security theory is showing that people in more rural areas secularisation is not occurring for them because they are in poverty thus lean on religion to comfort them
How is fundamentalism against the idea that secularisation is happening?
The belief in fundamentalist values are increasing
Where does Bruce argue fundamentalism emerged from ?
from
- responses to external changes
- changes to their internal circumstances
What does Bauman argue fundamentalism is on the rise a response of?
Bauman- argues fundamentalism is on the rise as a response to postmodernism
