beleifs in society: secularisation

what is secularisation

the idea that individuals, society’s and the world is becoming less religious

whats wilsons definition of secularization

the process whereby religious thinking, practice and institutions lose social significance

arguments for secularization

decline in religious thinking & belief

decline in religious practice

decline of power & influence of religious institutions

who talks about a decline in religious thinking

weber ( rationalisation)

lyotard and bauman (decline in metanarratives)

explain a decline in religious thinking: weber

with industrialization, people would start to look towards science and rationality rather than religion and the supernatural

who talks about metanarratives

lytoard and bauman

what do lytoard and bauman talk about

metanarratives like religion have lost their influence as people are more likely to control their own identities in a “pick and mix” world

people now have more choice to create ‘do-it-yourself’ identities and enter the ‘spiritual supermarket’ when it comes to their beliefs.

what are the statistics that show a decline in religious practice

declining attendance: in 2007 only 2% of the population attended religious practices on a sunday compared to 40% in 1851

decline in ceremonys: less than ½ all UK marriages involve church

who talks about decline of power for religion

herberg (secularisation from within)

what is herbergs argument

that religions are going against their traditions and regulations themselves and as such are showing weakness.

he points out

the ordination of women (women becoming presist)

the acceptance of homosexuality

as evidence of this.

arguments rejecting secularisation

religious thinking is not in decline

religious practice is not in decline

religious institutions are not in decline

why are religious thinking not in decline

70% of people beilve in “souls” and “sins”

heelas: resecularisation

the world is going through a spiritual revolution, more people getting involved in new age “mind body and spirit”

whats heelas arguemtn

heelas: resecularisation

the world is going through a spiritual revolution, more people getting involved in new age “mind body and spirit”

who argues religious practice is not in decline

davie: believing without belonging

believing in god does not necessarily mean attending a religious institution or service, people can express their beliefs and worship at home in a ‘privatised’ manner

who argues religious institution are not in decline

warner: religious economy theory

sheer number of sects, cults and denominations out there, Warner argues that market competition actually makes these institutions stronger and more powerful.