Secularism Flashcards
What is the 12 step programme?
Encourages people to accept their reality and put faith in a higher power in order to heal.
How does the 12 step programme reject Freud’s ideas?
It shows how religious belief cannot just be a illusion as this discredits the work it has done in helping addicts.
What are the positive aspects of religion that Freud recognises?
He claims that religion acts as an effective means for overcoming human fears of death and suffering.
What are Freud’s views on obsessional behaviour controlling sexual behaviour?
He believes that repetition - such as in religious ceremonies and rituals - keeps the ego from being controlled by sexual and irrational urges.
In other words, religion replaces these repressed desires with promises of rewards.
What is Freud’s conclusion on religion?
Although it can do some good, it should overall be abolished so society can be free and happy.
How did Marx view religion?
‘opium of the people’ - it negatively controls society.
How are Marx and Freud similar?
They both believe that religion is negative and wrongfully controls people - like an illusion.
What quote from Freud shows his rejection of religious scripture?
‘they are full of contradictions, revisions and falsifications’
What does Professor Francis believe about religious schools?
Young people who are committed to Christianity are more likely to be open to people of other faiths rather than less open.
It is not the school that impacts attitudes but the students themselves.
What does Charles Taylor suggest about religious schools?
There should be a recognition that societies are increasingly multicultural, no culture should impose itself on others as this causes minority cultures to diminish.
What does Christopher Dawson believe about religious schools?
Argues that secular education is problematic as religion becomes endangered.
What does Professor James Conroy believe about religious schools?
Argues that religious schools have an important role in a liberal, democratic state - they provide parent with a choice and prove counterbalance.
Religious schools DO cause more issues than they solve
Some religious schools mix religion into their curriculum whereby outdated views negatively influence children.
Conflict can be caused when teachings do not align with your personal views.
Religious schools DONT cause more issues than they solve
They have an important role with providing parents/children with an element of choice.
Religion can teach general good morals without being corruptive eg. ‘Love thy neighbor’
What is a quote for Freud’s view on religion?
‘Religions are illusions. Fulfillments of the oldest and strongest wishes of mankind’
What are two explanations of secularism?
The privatization of religion - religion has become more of an expression of individual preference. A secular view separates public and private life.
Increase in alternative spiritualties - Identified by Hellas and Woodhead, the traditional bond between Christianity and British culture is dissolving, spirituality is flourishing.
How does Beetherton’s description of his bus ride show religion is still largely prevalent?
He described his bus journey and how it shows the ‘reality of multi-cultural, multi-faith London in bloom’. Proof that cultures of all kinds are still thriving.
What point does Berger use to suggest that the UK is NOT becoming less religious?
He claims that modernization does not just equate to secularism but it has also ‘provoked powerful movements of counter-secularism’ which challenges the idea that secularism comes with modernization.
What point does Ford use to suggest that the UK is NOT becoming less religious?
He suggests that people globally are linking themselves to religion more than ever, even if the general population in Britain is declining.
He also claims that we should not predict what will happen in the future.
How does Ward argue that Freud is wrong?
Freud was a reductionist meaning he wanted to explain everything in material and mechanical terms yet Ward claims that this is inadequate in comparison to the millions of religious experiences that people have.
What was the Atheist Bus Campaign?
Messages spread about there being no God on buses.
This gained support from the British Humanist Society and Dawkins.
‘There’s probably no God’
What wording on the Atheist bus campaign was controversial?
‘probably’ - this is not definitive hence some people took offense to this.
What is a quote for Freud’s views about the delusions of religion?
‘the religions of mankind must be classes as among the mass delusions’
What information does Freud suggest that religion provides?
Information that humans crave about things that cannot be discovered through study of reality (science).
Religion essentially replaces our anxieties.
What does Freud believe that religion represses?
Humans desires that are destructive to society, such as sexual violence, theft and murder.
How do Freud’s views on religion link to Augustine?
Freud believes that religion represses certain desires, Augustine believes that humans are controlled by concupiscence.
How does Alan Watts link to Freud’s views on religion?
He claims that ‘real religion is the transformation of anxiety into laughter’.
Links to Freud’s view that religion replaces our anxieties and uncertainties.
What quote from Dawkins shows how we look for God to blame?
‘Somebody else must be responsible for my well-being, and somebody else must be to blame if I am hurt. Is it similar infantilism that really lies behind the ‘need’ for God?’
What are Dawkins’ main views on religion?
Life should be meaningful without reference to religion.
The human need for God is infantile (child-like) and an adult should be able to find other meaning to their life.
What are Dawkins’ views on religious dress code?
It is oppressive.
For example, Dawkins believes that the Burqua not only ensures female submission, but is also a metaphor for reducing our ability to perceive and understand things.
What are Dawkins’ views on imposing beliefs on other people?
He claims that you should not impose your beliefs on someone else as this can be a violation of democracy.
This is apparent in his views on religious dress code.
What three ways does Jose Casanova identify about the way people talk about secularisation?
The decline of belief and practice in modern society.
The privatisation of religion - religion should not be seen in public.
The secular separation of spheres of state, economy, science which are free from religious institutions.
What does Steve Bruce claim about religion in Britain?
Says that Christinaity in Britain is ‘a pale shadow of its former self’
Who identifies that there has been a growth in alternative spirituality as Christianity declines?
Paul Heelas and Linda Woodhead.
How does Charles Taylor show that secularisation is not necessarily the case?
He suggests that the presumption that a government will be Christian and so will the people has been replaced with a plural religious situation.
How does Dawkins believe that religion indoctrinates people?
He claims that children are ‘hijacked by religious faith’.
In ‘God delusion’, he uses extreme examples such as sexual abuse and forced baptism.
Therefore, religion without consent is a form of long term psychological abuse.
What point from Humphrey does Dawkins quote?
‘children have a right not to have their minds addled by nonsense’
What does Dawkins believe Christianity has played a part in?
The criminalisation of homosexuality and anything that differs from their moral absolutes.
What does Dawkins believe Christianity has a negative influence on?
The sanctity of life and abortion (Natural Law)
How does Dawkins generalise the whole of the religious faith?
He claims that Christianity is always oppressive and ignores the good it has done in society.
For example, MLK’s role in the CRM had a leading role in the challenge of segregation.
