Wk4 Flashcards
1
Q
What is the original meaning of the term ‘secular,’ and how was it used in 14th-century France to distinguish between monastic and non-monastic clergy?
A
- The original meaning of the term ‘secular’ referred to a period of time or this world, opposing something eternal or otherworldly. In 14th-century France, it was used to distinguish between monastic (rejecting wellbeing in this world) and non-monastic clergy (focused on people’s wellbeing in this world).
2
Q
- Explain the process of secularisation during the early modern period and the factors that contributed to the separation of secular and Church authority.
A
- Secularisation during the early modern period involved the detachment of secular authority from Church authority, leading to the separation of the state from the Church. This separation was linked to a plurality of faiths in Europe and a celebration of Reason (rationalisation) necessitating independence from Church authority.
3
Q
- Describe the classical modern picture of secular authorities and spiritual authorities as outlined in the provided notes on secularisation.
A
- The classical modern picture outlines secular authorities (governance, security, economic policy, law, science) and spiritual authorities (community morality and support, beliefs, and values).
4
Q
- According to the notes, what is the bottom line of secularisation, and how is it generally understood in academic debate?
A
- The bottom line of secularisation is that public authorities are increasingly secular. It is generally understood in academic debate, not just as declining religious belief or practice but as the loss of public authority of religion.
5
Q
- Summarize the changes in the public authority of religion during the classical modern period and the twentieth century, as mentioned in the notes on secularisation.
A
- During the classical modern period, religion retained public authority in community morality and support and beliefs and values. However, in the 20th century, religion began to lose public authority in these aspects, with two factors contributing: these aspects coming under secular authority and religious authority no longer being publicly accepted.
6
Q
- Identify and explain the two factors contributing to the decline of religious authority in the twentieth century, according to the notes.
A
- The two factors contributing to the decline of religious authority in the 20th century are aspects coming under secular authority (e.g., education, social work, welfare) and religious authority no longer being publicly accepted, becoming a matter of private choice.
7
Q
- From the theoretical perspective of Bryan Wilson, how does societalisation and the secular, rational state replace the traditional role of religion in modern societies?
A
- According to Bryan Wilson, societalisation involves social control being taken out of the hands of local communities and replaced by the secular, rational state. It finds a niche in modern societies as an influential interest group but has to compete against consumerism.
8
Q
- How does Steve Bruce characterize the impact of individualism in modern life on the emergence of a shared cultural framework of beliefs and values?
A
- Steve Bruce characterizes the impact of individualism in modern life as preventing the emergence of a shared cultural framework of beliefs and values, linking to Durkheim’s concern with individualism. The need for such a framework is increasingly unfulfilled.
8
Q
- According to Peter Berger’s earlier work, how are religious beliefs viewed as a social construction, and what challenges arise in maintaining unquestioning belief in diverse societies?
A
- From Peter Berger’s perspective, religious beliefs are social constructions providing a sense of orientation and coherence. Pluralism in diverse societies challenges maintaining unquestioning belief in anything.
9
Q
- Summarize Steve Bruce’s perspective on the contemporary expression of belief in the supernatural, as described in the provided notes.
A
- Steve Bruce suggests that belief in the supernatural persists but is expressed idiosyncratically and diffusely. Instead of forming new sects, religiosity is manifested through piecemeal and consumerist involvement in a cultic world, lacking a unified score to rally the masses.
