secularisation - internal secularisation / religious thinking and belief Flashcards
what does internal secularisation mean?
that religion itself has become secularised.
what does internal secularisation suggest about the church?
ideas of the church actually follow society. the church follows the norms in society, so religion adapts to changes. it is not religion that leads norms and values. however most religions are still very ethical and some have not changed their views on divorces etc (especially catholics).
what does herberg suggest?
Amercia (which has high levels of church attendance) have religions that focus on the American way of life, rather than religious values.
what is desacrilisation?
supernatural forces are no longer seen as controlling the world, action is no longer directed by religious belief, and human consciousness has become secularised.
what is rationalisation?
rational ways of thinking and acting replace religious ones. weber - western society has undergone rationalisation.
what is disenchantment?
the world is no longer charged with mystery and magic, supernatural has been banished from society.
evidence for decline in religious belief/thinking - science
bruce argues that the growth of scientific explanations have undermined religious beliefs
evidence for decline in religious belief/thinking - marginalization of religious beliefs
bruce suggests that religion and related beliefs have been marginalized, they are now a last resort, concerned with areas of human life over which science and tech have no control
evidence against decline in religious belief/thinking - search for new meanings
people are still searching for new meanings and commitment e.g. in new age ideas or in cults. heelas argues there is a ‘spiritual revolution’ - a process of resacrilization, a renewal and continuing vitality of religious beliefs as people shift from conventional religion
