Secularisation & Globalisation

Question 1

Definition of secularisation according to Wilson?

Answer 1

Wilson- it is the process whereby religious thinking, practice and institutions lose social significance

Question 2

What are the 4 main points that support that secularisation is occurring?

Answer 2

• Bruce = societalisation and disengament
• Weber = enlightenment and rationalisation
• Lyon = Jesus in Disneyland
• Bruce = Industrialisation and religious pluralism

Question 3

Who speaks about secularisation of the conscious?

Answer 3

Berger- people no longer think about how they can serve God’s will

Question 4

Who speaks about secularisation from within?

Answer 4

Herberg- traditional religions are compromising beliefs in order to survive

Question 5

Who argues that metanarratives have lost their power?

Answer 5

Lyotard- argues metanarratives have lost their power to influence people

Question 6

What does Bruce argue about societalisation and disengagement to show that socialisation is occurring?

Answer 6

Bruce- argues societalisation is the process where the state is becoming more responsible over matters it is no longer religious matters

Question 7

What is structural differentiation (Bruce)

Answer 7

structural differentiation has occurred where specialised agencies have taken over matters

Question 8

What is the evaluation for structural differentiation?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Analysis showing societalisation and disengagement (Bruce) is occurring?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What does Weber argue about englightenment and rationalisation to support secularisation is happening?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What is desacrilisation (Weber)

Answer 11

where something sacred is becoming less influential

Question 12

Evaluation for Weber’s rationalisation and enlightenment argument?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What does Lyon speak about in Jesus in Disneyland to support secularisation is happening?

Answer 13

Religion has now become a commodity meaning there is less of spiritual connection. religion is facing disneyfication where media

Question 14

What does Bruce speak about in industrialisation and religious pluralism to support secularisation is happening?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Evaluation for Bruce’s industrialisation and religious pluralism argument?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

How does Norris and Inglehart’s existential security theory support the idea that secularisation is occurring?

Answer 16

Secularisation is occurring in urban areas as they don’t need security

Question 17

What does Davie speak about in believing without belonging to show that secularisation isn’t happening?

Answer 17

Davie- belief without belonging is the idea that people no longer need to make their religious beliefs public by going to church

Question 18

What does Davie say about vicarious religion that supports belief without belonging and that secularisation isn’t happening?

Answer 18

Davie- vicarious religion is where people don’t belong but take part in religion vicarious religion eg: church leaders praying

Question 19

Where did Davie do he research on vicarious religion and what did she find?

Answer 19

In Sweden Davie found that had the lowest church attendance but voluntarily pay extra taxed to maintain the church and pay the clergy

Question 20

Evaluation for Davie?

Answer 20

Davie herself admitted that vicarious religion in about 30 years will die

Question 21

What do Stark and Bainbridge say about the religious market theory to show that secularisation is not happening?

Answer 21

Stark and Bainbridge argue that religious organisations are like businesses meeting demands of people

Question 22

Eval of the religious market theory ?

Answer 22

Bruce argues religious pluralism is a sign that religion is losing influence

Question 23

How does the Rise in NAMs show that secularisation is not happening?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

How does Norris and Inglehart’s existential security theory support the idea that secularisation is not happening?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

How is fundamentalism against the idea that secularisation is happening?

Answer 25

The belief in fundamentalist values are increasing

Question 26

Where does Bruce argue fundamentalism emerged from ?

Answer 26

from

• responses to external changes
• changes to their internal circumstances

Question 27

What does Bauman argue fundamentalism is on the rise a response of?

Answer 27

Bauman- argues fundamentalism is on the rise as a response to postmodernism