The Challenge to Secularism AO2 and Essay Plans

Question 1

5 arguments for secularisation

Answer 1

• beliefs of Children should not be influenced by parent’s beliefs.
• ‘belief’ should be viewed broadly- not just focusing on religious belief
• one particular belief system might be prioritised if it is closely connected with that organisation due to history, such as UK and Anglicanism
• can do what you want if secular
• freedom- no involvement with religious politics such as contraception issues (vs Tim Farron and people wanting to question religion)

Question 2

5 arguments against secularisation

Answer 2

• In some cases this causes bigotry/anti-religious hostility– militant atheism.
• can you really do “what you want” if it’s a secular society
• if consistently applied, would religious festivals such as Christmas need to be banned/not public holidays.
• Faith schools on average, perform better than non-faith schools.
• political correctness taken to extreme- this would mean religious authorities could not visit in official capacity/religious individuals not be a leader.

Question 3

3 arguments that we are living in a secular society

Answer 3

• religious statistics clearly demonstrate the decline of religion- in the US the number of people who say they have no ‘religious preference’ has doubled.
• number of individuals who profess a secular worldwide view has greatly risen, e.g Stephen Fry, Hitchens, Dawkins
• hostility towards religious views is notably present such as Lib Dem leader Tim Farron constantly being questioned about his beliefs on abortion, homosexuality- resigned saying it “felt impossible” to hold faithfully Bible’s teachings and be a political leader

Question 4

4 arguments against us living in a secular society

Answer 4

• more people actually believed in some sort of spirituality, identified by sociologists Paul Heelas and Linda Woodhead
• Catholic numbers remain relatively unchanged, muslims increased.
• religion still holds a great influence in society- e.g. UK in House of Lords Bishops, US on political agenda.
• how do you actually measure what it means to be secular/religious?

Question 5

strengths of Freud’s theory on religion

Answer 5

• recognises the far reaching of religion in society, not viewing it simply -e.g. seeing the sociological, psychological influence.
• argued religious practices create control, supported by Dawkins and Hitchens.
• Freud’s reductionist view is far simpler than religious concepts of a monotheistic deity, lacking empirical evidence. His reductionism would also support Hume’s criticisms for miracles and their likelihood.
• although reductionist viewpoint, he still recognises that people can have mystical or oceanic experiences.
• Supports Comte’s view of religion of humanity.

Question 6

weaknesses of Freud’s theory of religion

Answer 6

• although oceanic experiences are not connected to a deity, his mystical theory does seem to draw on religious ideas.
• Keith Ward argues Freud’s reductionist view ignores the number of people who have claim to have religious experiences.
• reductionist arguments may be seen as superficial and lacking depth and the complex ideas of faith.
• Freud generalises religion and does not seem to acknowledge that religions are varied- some may be viewed as controlling, others liberating, some infantile, others complex.

Question 7

Strengths of Dawkins view of religion

Answer 7

• ideas may build on ideas of hume with no empirical evidence for Soul/God, whilst grounding the work in scientific and empirical evidence, supporting evolutionary scientists such as Darwin.
• examples where ‘religion’ has been dangerous, such as ISIS.

Question 8

Weaknesses of Dawkins view of religion

Answer 8

• -Stephen Jay Gould: distinction between supernatural world and physical world must be made, thus cannot be subject to the same scientific enquiry as physical world- NOMA.
• Alister McGrath: science as well as theology and philosophy can provide useful insights into metaphysical questions (science interested in how, religion why)
• Christianity is far more based in religion than Dawkins accepts.
• God, science and religion are not in conflict- Big Bang was coined by Catholic Priest.
• Dawkins associates religion with violence, when Jesus specifically taught against the use of violence- militant atheism bought about violence, such as the communist regimes.
• The Dawkins Delusion, he is a fundamentalist atheist.
• Terry Eaglestone: impact of religious imagination on culture through art, music, drama and poetry.
• religion is founded on deep truths evident through people’s willingness to die for their faith and not dying for secular values.

Question 9

arguments against Faith Schools

Answer 9

• humanist’s consider faith schools as creating a more segregated future and creates socio-economic selection, discrimination against pupils of the ‘wrong’ faith.
• curriculum teaches controversial issues such as euthanasia, abortion, from a religious viewpoint.
• unnatural environments which doesn’t reflect outside society.
• could leave pupils open to radicalisation, especially Sikh/Muslim.
• Faith is a private matter, why make it public?

Question 10

arguments for for faith schools

Answer 10

• Ken Ham, US Evangelist, no schools are ever going to be ‘value neutral’- a humanist ideology would just be promoted instead, as well as schools reflecting British culture.
• faith schools enhances the experience of education, giving children the experience of the supernatural and wider appreciation of spiritual and moral values.
• faith schools continue to be popular and often over subscribed with non-religious applying- if society doesn’t want them no one will apply
• create a better understanding of religion (could segregation of religion occur in secular schools) and outstanding education.

Question 11

secular approach to government

Answer 11

• introduction of rationalism and post enlightenment throughout encourages belief government didn’t have to rely on for it’s values.
• Mill, Bentham, argued government to be based on secular principles such as happiness/pleasure.
• seen in US constitution, people having right to ‘life, liberty and happiness’- no singular religion associated with state.
• However, the government cannot stop religion from existing.

Question 12

humanist approach to government

Answer 12

• believe government shouldn’t discriminate on grounds of religion, however they shouldn’t be given privilege either.
• community should be recognised as a whole, not just ‘religious communities’
• UK government currently prioritises religion through interfaith strategies, interfaith dialogue- should be rebranded ‘dialogue’
• equal participation in society- humanist should be represented at remembrance ceremony, along with Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Islam