Secularisation

Since the 19th century, what changes have we seen in religious participation in the UK?

Since the 19th century there has been a decline in church attendance, an increase in the average age of churchgoers, fewer baptisms and church weddings, a decline in traditional Christian belief and greater religious diversity, including non-Christian belief.

How did Aldridge criticise Wilson's and Bruce's ideas?

Aldridge argued that religion can act as a global identity on a worldwide scale. Religious communities can also be established in 'imagined communities', which use global media to interact. Furthermore, Pentecostal and other religious groups tend to flourish in 'impersonal' urban areas.

What did Beckford (2003) also comment on?

Beckford (2003) argued that opposing views do not always cause secularisation. For some, it may strengthen their beliefs.

What did Berger (1969) state undermines religious monopoly?

Berger (1969) argued that diversity undermined religious monopoly as it questions the 'plausibility structure' of religion. This causes people to question the credibility of religion and creates relativism rather than absolutism.

In 1999, how did Berger change his opinion?

Berger (1999) changed his opinion by arguing that instead of diversity undermining religion, it can stimulate interest and participation.

What examples did Bryan Wilson (1966) provide to demonstrate this?

Bryan Wilson (1966) argued that church attendance in England and Wales had fallen from 40% of the population in the mid-19th century to just 10-15% by the 1960s. Church weddings, baptisms and Sunday school attendance has also declined, suggesting that Britain has become more secular.

What did Steve Bruce (2002) predict would happen?

By 2030, Steve Bruce (2002) predicts that the Church of England will merely be a small voluntary organisation that owns a large amount of heritage property.

What percentage did Crockett (1998) estimate church attendance to be in 1851?

Crockett (1998) estimated church attendance to be 40% in 1851.

However, what did Heelas and Woodhead say about the relation between spiritual revolution and secularisation?

Heelas and Woodhead argued that although spirituality and New Age belief have increased, it has not compensated for the decline in traditional beliefs. Therefore, they conclude that secularisation is occurring because the 'subjective turn' has undermined traditional religion.

What did Heelas and Woodhead mean by a 'spiritual revolution'?

Heelas and Woodhead argued that we were undergoing a spiritual revolution. The 'congregational domain' were of traditional and evangelical belief whereas the 'holistic milieu' were of spiritual and New Age belief. Heelas and Woodhead argued that the holistic milieu has increased in popularity due to a shift in the idea of duty; now we believe in personal development instead.

In 1966, Bryan Wilson argued what?

In 1966, Bryan Wilson argued that Western societies were going under a process of secularisation, where religious institutions, beliefs and practices lost some of their social significance.

How did Max Weber (1905) explain secularisation in the UK?

Max Weber (1905) argued that the UK had undergone a process of 'rationalisation', meaning that we have become more rational and scientific in our thought. Similarly, we have gone through a process of 'disenchantment'; when Protestantism became a main religion in the UK it removed the idea that God interfered in our lives and that the world was essentially a 'spiritual garden'. Instead, people looked for rational explanations instead of supernatural causes.

What other trends suggest secularisation?

Other trends include a further decrease in church attendance. For example, by 2005 only 6.3% of the adult population attended church on Sundays. Furthermore, Sunday school attendance has also declined alongside church membership. Church weddings have also decreased, going from three fifths in 1971 to just a third in 2006.

What does Steve Bruce mean by 'practical relativism'?

Practical relativism is the idea that Americans are becoming more accepting of beliefs that are different to their own. This increases relativism but undermines absolutism, which is the idea that our beliefs are absolutely true.

What are some criticisms for secularisation theory?

Religion is not declining but simply changing. Secularisation theory is biased; focuses too much on the declines but ignores the revivals and the introduction of new religions. Ignores the concept of 'believing without belonging'. Relies too much on church attendance statistics, fails to recognise the lack of reliability and validity of these statistics. It is too 'eurocentric'; it focuses on the decline of religion in Europe but ignores the continuing vitality of religion elsewhere. There was never a 'golden age of religion'; religion is constantly going through a state of change, renewal and revival. Similarly, there will never be a time when everyone will be an atheist. In contrast to decline, diversity increases choice. There are also many contrasting religious trends; there is no overall decrease.

In what ways have religious institutions lost their social significance and influence?

Religious institutions have lost their social significance and influence in many ways. Firstly, although the Church of England has some say on the passing of laws, it has lost some impact. Similarly, religious schools must follow the government's rules and regulations, such as the National Curriculum. The number of clergy has also reduced in the UK; in 1900 there were 45,000 clergy, in 2000 there were only 34,000. The population has also almost doubled in size, which means that if the number of clergy were consistent with the population increase the clergy would be estimated to be at around 80,000.

What did Berger (1969) mean by 'religious monopoly'?

Religious monopoly is the idea that one religion precedes above all others; it has no competition and thus, it cannot be challenged. The beliefs of this particular religion are shared by everyone and therefore, there is only one 'truth'.

What did Robin Gill et al (1998) discover about religious belief in today's society?

Robin Gill et al (1998) discovered that religious belief has fallen from 1939 to 1996. When asked whether they belonged to any religion or denomination in 1950, only 23% replied no. By 1996, this had increased to 43%.

What is secularisation?

Secularisation is the idea that we are becoming less religious.

What are some modern day examples of the disengagement of religion?

Some examples of the disengagement of religion are its lack of influence on education, social welfare and law. These choices are now mostly made by the state, whereas before they were influenced by religion and the church.

What does Steve Bruce (2002) mean by 'secularisation from within'?

Steve Bruce (2002)'s idea of secularisation from within means that America has become less traditionally religious but has become 'psychologised' (turned into some form of therapy). American religion has remained popular by becoming less religious.

What did Steve Bruce mean by the privatisation of religion?

Steve Bruce described religion as becoming 'privatised', meaning it was now relocated to the private sphere of the family and home. Steve Bruce argues that it is now a matter of personal choice.

Which trends did Steve Bruce identify that seem to go against secularisation theory?

Steve Bruce identified 'cultural defence', which demonstrates that people use religion to defend their social group. He also identified 'cultural transition', where religion is used as support by migrants.

How did Steve Bruce criticise these trends?

Steve Bruce noted that these do not necessarily criticise secularisation theory as they only occur in specific situations as it provides a group identity.

Why does Steve Bruce see industrialisation as 'undermining' religion?

Steve Bruce notes that the increasing diversity in industrial society causes social and geographical mobility, which decreases the consensus that religion provides. As a result of this diversity, it causes a lack of plausibility in beliefs as there are too many alternatives.

What did Talcott Parsons (1951) mean by 'structural differentiation'?

Talcott Parsons (1951) used the idea of 'structural differentiation' to explain the segregation and separation of religious institutions and society. Prior to industrialisation, religion influenced many other parts of society. However, after pre-industrial society, institutions became specialised; this lead to the 'disengagement' of religion; its functions are transferred to other institutions such as the state and thus, it becomes disconnected from wider society.

What is the 19th century described as?

The 19th century is described as being the 'golden age of religion'.

What is a 'technological worldview'?

The idea of a 'technological worldview' was introduced by Steve Bruce. Steve Bruce argued that we had become more technological, seeking scientific answers instead of supernatural ones. Although Steve Bruce recognises this does not directly challenge religion, he does highlight that it decreases the scope for religious explanation.

How has America become more secular?

Wilson argued that church attendance was more of an expression of the American way of life than actual religious belief. Wilson concluded that although church attendance remained, religious belief had become superficial. Similarly, Steve Bruce (2002) argued that America had become more secular through declining church attendance, 'secularisation from within' and increasing diversity and relativism.

What conclusion did Wilson come to about religion and pre-industrial and industrial societies?

Wilson argued that religion maintained its vitality in pre-industrial societies because it integrated individuals and regulated their behaviour. In industrial society, religion lost much of its stability in communities, resulting in a loss of influence over society.