Topic 3- Secularisation

What is Secularisation

🔹 Secularisation = Decline in religious influence over society, individuals, and institutions.

How is measured

• Declining church attendance 📉

• Loss of religious beliefs 🧠

• Reduced influence on laws & politics 🏛

Evidence FOR Secularisation

(1) Declining Church Attendance & Membership

(2) Decline in Religious Beliefs

(3) Declining Influence of Religion in Society

(4) Disengagement from Religious Institutions

(1) Declining Church Attendance & Membership

📉 Wilson (1966) – Western societies are becoming secular.

• In England & Wales, church attendance fell from 40% (1851) to <5% (2015).

• Only 3% of young people attend church regularly (British Social Attitudes Survey).

Example: Census Data (2001 vs. 2021)

• 2001: 72% identified as Christian.

• 2021: 46% identified as Christian – A major decline.

Criticism

❌ People may still be religious but don’t attend church (Davie, 1994 – ‘Believing without Belonging’).

(2) Decline in Religious Beliefs

📉 Bruce (2011) – Science & Rational Thinking replace religion.

• People now trust science over religious explanations.

• Rise in atheism & agnosticism.

📌 Example: Decline in belief in God in the UK (British Social Attitudes Survey).

Criticism

❌ Religion is growing in some areas (e.g., Pentecostalism in Latin America).

(3) Declining Influence of Religion in Society

📉 Religion no longer influences politics & laws as much.

• Medieval times: Church controlled laws & education.

• Today: UK government is mostly secular, religion has less political power.

Example:

• Same-sex marriage legalised (2014) despite religious opposition.

Criticism

❌ Religion still influences some laws (e.g., Bishops in the House of Lords).

(4) Disengagement from Religious Institutions

📉 Bruce (2002) – Religious institutions have lost authority.

• State now controls education, not the church.

• Religion is privatised – People see it as a personal choice, not a social duty.

📌 Example: Fewer religious schools & declining power of the Church of England.

Criticism

❌ Religion still influences moral debates (e.g., abortion, euthanasia).

Arguments AGAINST Secularisation

(1) Believing Without Belonging – Davie (1994)

(2) Spiritual Shopping – Hervieu-Léger (2000)

(3) Religion is Changing, Not Declining – Stark & Bainbridge (1985)

(4) Existential Security Theory – Norris & Inglehart (2011)

(1) Believing Without Belonging – Davie (1994)

💭 Many still believe in God but don’t attend church.

• Private worship & spirituality are increasing.

📌 Example: Growth of online worship & faith communities.

Criticism

❌ Without attendance, religion has less social impact.

(2) Spiritual Shopping – Hervieu-Léger (2000)

🛍 Postmodernism – People ‘pick and mix’ religious beliefs.

• Traditional religion declines, but New Age movements grow.

📌 Example: Rise in astrology, yoga, and meditation.

Criticism

❌ These don’t replace organised religion’s influence.

(3) Religion is Changing, Not Declining – Stark & Bainbridge (1985)

Religious Market Theory’ – Religion doesn’t decline; it adapts to society.

• When religion declines, new forms emerge.

📌 Example: Growth of evangelical churches in the US.

Criticism

❌ In Europe, religion is declining without new replacements.

(4) Existential Security Theory– Norris & Inglehart (2011)

🛡 Religion thrives where people feel insecure (e.g., poverty, conflict).

• Rich countries (e.g., UK, Sweden) → More secular.

• Poor countries (e.g., India, Brazil) → Religion still strong.

📌 Example: US is more religious than Europe due to economic uncertainty.

Criticism

❌ Doesn’t explain why some rich people stay religious.