Topic 3: Secularisation

Question 1

Secularisation:

What is secularisation?

Answer 1

When religion loses its significance in society e.g. it is less important -the UK would be considered secular.

Question 2

Secularisation in Britain:

Evidence of the UK becoming more secular e.g. the population

Answer 2

there is a decline in the proportion going to church/ belonging to one

Question 3

Secularisation in Britain:

Evidence of the UK becoming more secular e.g. age

Answer 3

There is a average increase in the age of churchgoers

Question 4

Secularisation in Britain:

Evidence of the UK becoming more secular e.g. baptisms and weddings

Answer 4

There are fewer baptisms and weddings

Question 5

Secularisation in Britain:

Evidence of the UK becoming more secular e.g. traditional beliefs

Answer 5

There is a decline in the numbers holding traditional Christian beliefs.

Question 6

Secularisation in Britain:

Evidence of the UK becoming more secular e.g. diversity

Answer 6

There is greater diversity in religions e.g. Islam and Judaism

Question 7

Secularisation in Britain:

How does church attendance decreasing help to show that the UK is becoming secular

Answer 7

Sunday attendance in the Church of England fell from 1.6 million in 1960 to under 0.8 million in 2013.

The number of church weddings and baptisms are also decreasing e.g. In 1971, 60% of weddings were in church and in 2012 the proportion was only 30%.

All these numbers help to show that the UK is becoming more secularised. Because of the amount of choice there is people are choosing the more secularised version. Values of the church don’t match modern society.

Question 8

Secularisation in Britain:

How does religious affiliation decreasing help to show that the UK is becoming secular

Answer 8

Between 1983 and 2014 the % of adults with no religion rose is 50% in 2015 while those identifying as Christian fell by a 1/3.

Other Christian denominations such as Methodists and Baptists has remained static since 1983 at 17% of the population.

Question 9

Key word:

What does religious affiliation mean

Answer 9

A person’s religious membership/identification with a religious (belonging to a religion)

Question 10

Secularisation in Britain:

How does religious belief decreasing help to show that the UK is becoming secular

Answer 10

80 years of survey research shows that religious belief is declining along with the decline in the church attendance and its membership.

e.g. Surveys show that there is a declining belief in a personal God, in Jesus and in Christian teachings about the afterlife and the Bible.

Question 11

Secularisation in Britain:

How does how religious institutions are today help to show that the UK is becoming secular

Answer 11

Not only have religious beliefs and practice declined, so too has the influence of religion as a social institution.

Although the church as h=some influence on the public life e.g. there are 26 CofE bishops in the HOL (making decisions) this has declined massively since the state has taken over most of the roles that the church used to perform such as education and welfare.

The number of clergy fell from 45,000 to 34,000 in the 20th century. If it kept up with the population growth it should be around 80,000.

The clergy is also an ageing workforce. Only 12% of Anglican clergy are under 40.

Question 12

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does modernisation/rationalisation explain why the UK has become more secularised? (briefly)

Answer 12

Sociologists argue that modernisation has led to secularisation with the decline of tradition and its replacement with rational and scientific ways of thinking that tend to undermine religion.

Question 13

Key word:

What is modernisation?

Answer 13

A process of social change by adopting modern values and ways of life.

Question 14

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does social change explain why the UK has become more secularised? (briefly)

Answer 14

Some sociologists argue that social change led to secularisation

e.g. industrialisation leads to the break up of small communities that were held together by common religious beliefs breaking it down and leading people to find other forms of religion.

Question 15

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does social religious diversity explain why the UK has become more secularised? (briefly)

Answer 15

Some sociologists argue that social and religious diversity has led to secularisation.

People are becoming more diverse in many ways meaning that religious institutions are much more varied.

Because of the growth of diversity has undermined both the authority of religious institutions and the credibility of religious beliefs leading to secularisation.

Question 16

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does rationalisation explain why the UK has become more secularised? (use sociologist)

Answer 16

Weber (1905) argues that the Protestant Reformation started a process of rationalisation of life in the West undermining the religious worldview.

This process undermined the religious worldview of the Middle Ages and replaced it with the rational scientific outlook found in modern society.

In the past medieval Catholic worldview that dominated Europe saw angels and devils to change events through their supernatural powers.

However, the Protestant Reformation brought a new worldview that although God had created the world, he left it to run according to its own laws of nature meaning that events could be explained through reason.

Using reason and science there was no longer a need for religious explanations of the world, since the world was no longer an enchanted garden.

Question 17

Key word:

What is rationalisation?

Answer 17

The process by which rational ways of thinking and acting come to replace religious ones.

Question 18

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does technology explain why the UK has become more secularised?

Answer 18

Weber, Bruce (2011) argues that the growth of technology has largely replaced religious or supernatural explanations of why things happen e.g. when bad things happen people don’t blame it on spirits but look for scientific and technological explanations.

Bruce argues that although scientific explanations don’t challenge religion directly, they have reduced the need for religious explanations. Scientific knowledge encourages people to take religion less seriously.

Question 19

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does structural differentiation explain why the UK has become more secularised? (use sociologist)

Answer 19

Parsons (1951) argues that structural differentiation has happened to religion.

It dominated pre-industrial society, but with industrialisation it has become a smaller and more specialised institution.

Question 20

Key word:

What is structural differentiation?

Answer 20

A process of specialisation that occurs with the development of industrial society.

Separate, specialised institutions develop to carry out functions that were previously performed by a single institution.

Question 21

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does disengagement within structural differentiation show that the UK is becoming more secularised (use sociologist)

Answer 21

Parsons - structural differentiation leads to the disengagement of religion.

Its functions are transferred to other institutions such as the state and it becomes disconnected from wider society e.g. the church loses the influence it once had on education, social welfare and the law.

Question 22

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does privatisation within structural differentiation show that the UK is becoming more secularised (use sociologist)

Answer 22

Bruce argues that religion has become separated from wider society and lost many of its former functions.

It has become privatised - confined to the private sphere of the home and family.

Religious beliefs are now largely a matter of personal choice and religious institutions have lost much of their influence on wider society.

As a result, traditional rituals and symbols lose meaning.

Question 23

Key word:

What is social and cultural diversity?

Answer 23

The variety of different social groups and cultural backgrounds that exist within society.

This diversity can be seen through different ethnicities, race, religion, language and social class.

Question 24

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

What are the three ways in which due to social and cultural diversity has led to society becoming increasingly secularised?

Answer 24

Under social and cultural diversity!!

Decline in the community - The move from country to city means there are no more shared values - life is changing.

Industrialisation - People moved from the country to the city - brings people together from all different walks of life - No knit community like in past

Diversity of cultures and lifestyles undermine religion - everyone believes that they are right. Not everyone can be. Religion becomes flawed.

Question 25

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does the decline in the community help to show that the UK is becoming more secularised? (use sociologist)

Answer 25

Under social and cultural diversity!!

When society moved from the pre-industrial to industrial society it brought around a decline in community and this contributed for religion becoming less important.

Wilson argues that in pre-industrial communities, shared values were expressed through collective religious rituals such as singing hymns that helped to create social solidarity.

However, when religion lost its basis in stable local communities and therefore lost its hold on people as there was no longer a shared value consensus.

Question 26

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does industrialisation help to show that the UK is becoming more secularised? (use sociologist)

Answer 26

Under social and cultural diversity!!

Bruce argues that industrialisation has led to the UK becoming more secularised as it undermines the consensus of religious beliefs.

As not everyone shares the same norms and values due to diverse beliefs and values unlike the small tight-knit rural communities.

Question 27

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does diversity in cultures and lifestyles help to show that the UK is becoming more secularised? (use sociologist)

Answer 27

Under social and cultural diversity!!

Bruce argues that the growing diversity in cultures and lifestyles has led to the UK becoming more secularised.

There are many cultures and lifestyles even when people continue to hold religious beliefs, they cannot avoid knowing that many of those around them hold very different views.

This undermines the plausibility of religion as if everyone is saying that there religion is the right one, who is actually right. Not believing can seem like a more believable option.

Question 28

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

Criticisms on the idea that social and cultural diversity have lead to the decrease in religion (use sociologist)

Answer 28

Under social and cultural diversity!!!

The view that the decline of community causes the decline of religion has been criticised. Aldridge argues that community doesnt have to be in a particular area.

Religion can be a source of identity on a worldwide scale e.g. Jewish and Muslim communities. This is because although these communities may not be together, because of their shared belief and values it means that they are a part of the same community.

Some religions are imagined communities that interact through the use of global media. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic many churches took their services online so that everyone was able to access it.

Question 29

Key word:

What is religious diversity?

Answer 29

The variety of religious beliefs, practices and values that exist within society.

Question 30

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How has religious diversity lead to the decline in religion? (use sociologist)

Answer 30

Berger (1969) argues that religious diversity has lead to the decline in religion as instead of there being only one religious organisation and only one interpretation of the faith, there are many.

Question 31

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How has the sacred canopy lead to a decline in religious belief?

Answer 31

Under religious diversity!!!

In the Middle Ages there was no competition between religious as the Catholic Church was the most important because of this it meant that everyone shared the same beliefs (sacred canopy).

This gave their beliefs greater plausibility because they had no challengers and the church’s version of the truth was unquestioned.

However with the Protestant Reformation came the challenging of the truth, as different organisations also said their interpretation of the Bible was the truth, which overall gave religion less plausibility not everyone is right meaning that society was no longer unified under the same beliefs creating a decline in religious beliefs.

Question 32

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does the plausibility structure lead to a decline in religious belief (use sociologist)

Answer 32

Under religious diversity!!!

Berger argues that the diversity of religion undermines the plausibility structure the ‘plausibility structure’ - the reasons why people find it believable.

When there are alternative versions of religion to choose people are likely to question them and this erodes the absolute certainties of traditional religion as there are many versions, people don’t know what is true anymore.

Question 33

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does cultural defence lead to a increase in religion? (use sociologist)

Answer 33

Under Cultural defence!!!

Bruce argues that cultural defence leads to an increase in religion participation.

Cultural defence is where religion provides a focal point for the defence of national, ethnic, local or group identity in a struggle against an external force such as a hostile foreign power (unites everyone).

In communist Poland, Catholicism was used as a cultural defence against state repression. People used their Catholic beliefs to justify resisting government laws, such as holding secret religious services or opposing policies on abortion and contraception.

Catholic values were seen as part of Polish identity, and defending them was viewed as a moral duty, even when it conflicted with communist laws.

Question 34

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How can cultural transition lead to an increase in religion? (use sociologist)

Answer 34

Under Cultural transition!!!

Bruce argues that cultural transition has lead to an increase in religious participation.

Cultural transition is where religion provides support and a sense of community for ethnic groups such as migrants to a different country and culture.

Herberg argues that religion can help them navigate the challenges of adapting to a new society while preserving their identity. Religion offers a sense of community, continuity, and belonging, especially for groups that face marginalization or struggle with issues of integration e.g.

African Caribbean migrants, (who were Christian) found that religion played a vital role in coping with racism and the struggles of migration. Churches acted as centres of social solidarity and activism.

Question 35

Explanations for secularisation in the UK:

How does cultural defence and transition not disprove the idea that religion is becoming less important in society? (use sociologist)

Answer 35

Bruce argues that religion survives in such situations only because it is a focus for group identity showing that cultural defence and transition don’t disprove secularisation but show that religion is most likely to survive where it performs functions other than helping people find God a deity.

Question 36

Criticisms of the Secularisation explanation in the UK:

What are the criticisms of cultural defence/transition? (use sociologist)

Answer 36

Berger (1999) - argues that diversity and choice stimulate interest and participation in religion e.g. the growth of the New Christian Right in the USA (overturning of Roe v Wade) and the growing church in Latin America help to show that religion is not on the decline.

Beckford (2003) - argues that religious diversity will lead some to question or leave their religious beliefs but this is not inevitable. Opposing views can strengthen a religious group’s commitment to its existing beliefs rather than undermining them.

Question 37

Explanations for secularisation in the US:

How is the US becoming more secular? (generally) (use sociologist)

Answer 37

1962 - Wilson found that 45% of Americans attended church on Sundays. However, he argued that churchgoing in America was more an expression of the ‘American way of life’ than of deeply held religious beliefs.

Question 38

Explanations for secularisation:

How can declining church attendance help to show that the US is becoming more secular? (use sociologist)

Answer 38

Opinion poll research asking people about church attendance suggests that it has been stable at about 40% of the population since 1940.

However, Hadaway (1993) - found that this figure did not match the churches’ own attendance statistics. If 40% of Americans were going to church, the churches would be full - but they were not.

A tendency to exaggerate church going has been happening recently. For example, a study of attendance at Catholic mass in Sans Francisco found that in 1972 onion polls exaggerated attendance by 47% but by 1996, this exaggeration rose to 101%.

THIS HELPS TO SHOW THAT THE US IS BECOMING MORE SECULAR AS LESS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CHURCH.

Question 39

Explanations for secularisation in the US:

How does secularisation from within help show that the US is becoming more secular? (use sociologist

Answer 39

Bruce argues that American religion has adjusted to the modern world and this leads to secularisation from within.

Traditional Christian beliefs in America has become ‘psychologised’ or turned into a form of therapy. This change has enabled it to fit in with a secular society. In short, American religion has remained popular by becoming less religious.

The purpose of religion has changed from seeking salvation in heaven to seeking personal improvement in this world meaning that churchgoers are less strict than previously.

Question 40

Explanations for secularisation in the US:

How has religious diversity help show that the US is becoming more secular? (use sociologist)

Answer 40

Lynd and Lynd’s (1929) - found in 1924 that 94% of churchgoing young people agreed with the statement, ‘Christianity is the one true religion and all people should be converted to it’. However, by 1977 only 41% agreed.

This helps to show that society is more secular and with that comes a decline in religious belief as we live in a society where many people hold views that are completely different to ours, which undermines our assumption that our own views are absolutely true.

The growth of religious diversity has also contributed to secularisation from within. Churchgoers are becoming less dogmatic in their views.

Question 41

Criticisms of the secularisation theory:

What are the criticisms of the secularisation theory?

Answer 41

Religious diversity increases participation as it offers more choice. People today now feel they have a choice as consumers of religion and become spiritual shoppers as religion has become individualised. People are free to pick what parts of religion suits them ‘DIY’ religion to make it fit your interests/lifestyle.

Evidence of falling church attendance ignore people who believe but don’t belong. Davie argues that religion is not declining but simply taking a different, more privatised form.
Although people are reluctant to go to church, they hold the same values (this is called believing but not belonging) .