Bruce on Secularisation

What is Bruce’s view on secularisation?

• Bruce is a key figure in arguing that there has been a long-term secularisation of society

• Developed a framework for explaining the growth of secularisation from the Protestant Reformation onwards

• Social and economic change lead to secularisation

What is Bruce’s secularisation paradigm?

• 2011- Three key social changes came from the Protestant Reformation:

  • Growth of individualism

  • Protestant work ethic

  • Development of rationality

• Bruce developed a paradigm to explain how these changes led to secularisation

What is the growth of individualism?

• Loss of collectivism in communities has led to secularisation

• The role of commercial organisations and the state led to the loss of community

• Resulted in schisms and the formation of sects- Turning obligation into voluntary association

What is the protestant work ethic?

• Agreed with Weber that the Protestant work ethic led to the growth of industrial capitalism

• Economic growth brought about social and structural differentiation

• Increased cultural and religious diversity leads to religion becoming privatised

What is rationality and science?

• Increased use of rational thinking in the modern age

• Development of scientific thinking and the growth of technology

• Individuals develop a technological consciousness and question religious doctrines

What is the evaluation of secularisation?

• Secularisation is largely confined to Western societies- despite globalisation

• Religious institutions’ influence on public life may have declined, but this is difficult to measure

• Individuals can ‘believe without belonging’- Davie