D the influence of religious experiences

What do we mean by faith

-belief beyond reason (Kierkegaard)

-putting our trust in something

Two different kinds of faith

• Belief-that - agreeing with the truth of certain propositional statements (e.g. God exists)

• Belief-in - beyond simple agreement with propositional Statements. Implies trust in and devotion to the object of religious faith (e.g. I believe Jesus is my Lord and Saviour)

Religious practiceds

What believers do as expressions of their faith. This could include:

• Forms of worship and prayer

• Festivals and celebrations

• Pilgrimages

• Rites of passage

• Following ethical rules

Propositional statements

-Contain an obvious fact within themselves

Eg table is grey

Propositional revelation

Receives information in statements

A proposition is a factual statement, so propositional revelation is the idea of God passing on a set of factual knowledge to humans (e.g. about his nature, his commandments etc.). Often linked more to 'belief-that' faith.

Eg Bernadette told VM i am the immaculate conception

Non-propositional revelation

Non-propositional revelation is the idea of ultimate truths being non-factual. Instead, they are perspectives or points of view based on personal encounters with God/Ultimate Reality (e.g. God's nature is known by encountering God and reflecting on this encounter, and God's commandments are worked out based on what encountering God felt like).

The value of religious experiences for religious community

The value for religious community including:

• affirmation of belief system

• promotion of faith value system

• strengthening cohesion of religious community

The value of religious experience for individual

• faith restoring

• strengthening faith in face of opposition

• renewal of commitment to religious ideals and doctrines

The influence of religious experience on religious practice and faith

The Value for a Community

1. Affirmation of belief system

Many religions can point to a founder on whose teachings or actions the religion is based. This person often has a religious experience that marks the start of their public preaching/ministry. This is said to be an affirmation of a belief system in that it is a public declaration of the truth of a set of beliefs based upon the authority given by the religious experience.

Furthermore, God is seen as confirming a particular person for a task by means of some type of religious experience. Through those individuals, revelation is given. The religious experiences experienced by the person convinces the follower that the person is appointed by God and so affirms their role and status of authority when passing on the revelations they have received.

Example:

St Paul had a religious experience on the road to Damascus where he saw a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus. From this experience, Paul learns that Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah and began preaching this across the Roman world. Paul refers to this experience in his letters to the Christian Churches, and uses it as justification for the authority of his teachings. For example, in 1 Corinthians 9:1 Paul rhetorically asks: 'Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?' He also states that "the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12).

New developments can sometimes appear within religious belief systems. Religious experiences may sometimes be the basis for this. Alternatively, they may be said to confirm or disconfirm doctrinal developments within religions.

Example:

Lourdes, the place where the Virgin Mary appeared in visions to St Bernadette, has become a pilgrimage site for Christians. The Virgin told Bernadette to drink the water of a spring that flowed under her rock. As there seemed to be no spring, Bernadette dug in the ground. Nothing happened, but a day or so afterwards the water started to flow. Bernadette drank it and washed in it and others did the same and the water acquired a reputation for healing properties. Today, many Christians visit Lourdes for both physical and spiritual healing. The Vatican officially recognises 67 examples of miraculous healing at Lourdes.

2. Promotion of a faith value system

Religious experiences do not just provide revelations about doctrines and belief. They can also be the source of revelations about ethical standards (e.g. rules or principles regarding right and wrong conduct). This may be in the form of an encounter with God who sets down ethical commands but could also be that the person reflects on the religious experience and from this develops a value system in response.

Examples:

Moses' interactions with God provided the basis of the Hebrew ethical system. Firstly, Moses encounter with God in the burning bush revealed God's concern for the plight of the Israelites and his desire to liberate those that are oppressed. Secondly, on Mount Sinai, God revealed to Moses the 10 Commandments, which Jews and Christians still see as central to their ethical teachings today.

The Buddhis's enlightenment experience, though not an encounter with God, nevertheless provides seasts one of che causes l teachings. Buddha s isight, got ed ehrough enlightenment, caused him to realise tho enempire ce us of continued suffering (aught cas the tree poisons of hatred, greed and ignord alen for extrede, phe suddha stated that: "Hatreduke appease ey hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is

forms a central part of Buddhist ethical teachings.

hormed censed. This is a law eternal A sueer appeste a by to develop meta (loving kindness) and this

Strengthening of religious community

Cohesion is about group unity. Many scholars of religion, such as French sociologist Emil Durkheimd have noted that collective worship and ritual help to strengthen group bonds. Collective rituals and

gatherings can also help to:

Establish a common identity (e.g. by sharing in the same rituals, especially when not practised by others outside the group)

Highlight a common purpose (e.g. by celebrating festivals and rites of passage)

Reaffirm faith (e.g. by repeating creeds, reading from religious texts, or singing hymns/chanting mantras)

- Sharing one's spirituality with others (e.g. through testimony)

a.

Celebrating past religious experiences

Past religious experiences may provide the basis for celebrations, festivals and pilgrimages. Many festivals may mark a religious experience connected to a founder, important figure or historical person in the history of the religion. Similarly, pilgrimage may mark a geographical location where a person had a religious experience and where it is believed that there can still be a closer connection with the divine or important figures. Engaging in these practices can help to:

Reinforce group identity by connecting to a shared past

Bring the group close together by engaging in shared rituals and acts of worship

Examples:

The festival of Id-al-Adha, celebrated in Islam, honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah's command. Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, God provided him with a lamb which he was supposed to kill in his son's place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually slaughtered.

St Bernadette saw eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary in the grotto at Lourdes. On one of these occasions, the Virgin revealed her identity to Bernadette as 'the Immaculate Conception'. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception had been proclaimed only a few years before by the Roman Catholic Church. The experience seemingly confirms this doctrine.

b. Present day worship and rituals

Some more regular forms and patterns of worship and ritual may also be based on religious experience. It may be that certain forms of worship were revealed as part of a religious experience and this instruction was then passed on to adherents.

Example:

The Prophet Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven as part of his Night Journey, during which he spoke to both important prophets such as Jesus, Moses and Abraham, and with Allah himself. Allah initially told Muhammad to instruct Muslims to pray 50 times a day, however, Moses convinced Muhammad to go back to Allah and ask for a reduction. The final number agreed upon was five times a day. This event provides the basis for the practice of salat (daily prayers), one of the five pillars of Islam.

Furthermore, many religious believers may feel as though modern forms of communal worship can also be a trigger for religious experience. Such shared forms of worship and ritual can, as Alister Hardy described, lead to the experience that the everyday world is not the whole of reality.

Example:

in Pentecostal and Charismatic forms of Christianity it is quite common to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit during worship. This sometimes manifests itself as speaking in tongues glossolalia) in which people utter words or speech-like sounds, often thought by believers to be languages unknown to the speaker. This is believed to be one of the gifts of the Spirit and was something that the Apostles were able to do after being visited by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Some religious figures have been able to use their religious experiences to develop techniques to help others get closer to an experience of God.

Example:

Following on from her mystical experiences, St Teresa of developed a guide for spiritual development through service and prayer called the interior Castle. She presented the idea of seven 'mansions', each representing a step towards unity with God. This is the purpose of life and the purpose of prayer.

Value for individual

1. Faith restoring

A person's faith can be restored and strengthened by having a religious experience. If one's faith is in doubt or a person is struggling in belief, then a religious experience can remove such doubts and renew faith. This may reflect a change in the nature of the faith that the person has, for example a change from belief-that to belief-in.

Example:

The founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, had a religious experience that deepened is faith. He was aware that he did not have faith in Christ as a personal saviour that he saw others had. However, on May 24th 1738, at a meeting of an evangelical society in London, he had a conversion experience while reading Martin Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. Wesley wrote: "I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation: and an assurance was given to me that he had taken away my sins. This could be seen as a movement away from academic/intellectual acceptance to personal trust.

The faith restoring experience may also come through others. A testimony of someone's religious experience may lead to one's own renewal of faith as they hear how God has influenced that person's life.

2. Strengthening faith in the face of opposition

An individual may be strengthened in their faith in the face of opposition to their religion. Many religious believers have undergone persecution, which can cause a loss of faith. However, a religious experience may enable the person to continue in their faith despite threats of persecution, or even to publicly preach their message or fight back against oppression.

Example:

After the ascension of Jesus, the Apostles were in jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival of Shavuot. The Holy Spirit descended on them. it sounded like a very strong wind, and it looked like tongues of fire. This gave them the confidence to go out and preach the Gospel, despite being afraid. The apostles then found themselves speaking in tongues, inspired by the Holy Spirit. People passing by at first ridiculed them and thought that they must be drunk, but the apostle Peter told the crowd that the apostles were full of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts reports that 3000 people were converted by the Apostles that day.

Other individuals may be inspired by similar stories if they are undergoing religious persecution, despite not having a religious experience themselves.

3. Renewal of commitment to religious ideals and doctrines

Most religions have occasions where adherents to the faith have an opportunity to renew their commitment to the faith and ideals. Often it takes the form of public commitment in which the person confirms their faith. This decision to make such a commitment can be a religious experience if it involves a sense of being 'called'.

Example:

Many Evangelical Churches practise believers' baptism. This is where someone that is able to make an informed choice to follow Christ undergoes baptism. Often, people that undergo this kind of baptism report a calling or stirring inside them to be baptised. Before they are baptised they make a public declaration of faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and confess their sins and desire to live a new life. People often report a sense of renewal or regeneration after this.

Some festivals and pilgrimages also give religious believers the opportunity to renew their commitment to faith. For some these can become a religious experience as they provide opportunities for the believer to grow closer to God through the associated practices.

Example:

During the time of Lent in the preparation for Easter, Christians undergo a period of reflection and often experience a renewal of their commitment to faith. It is a period of six weeks during which many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The goal is to develop a closer relationship with God.

Some religious experiences are conversion experiences. This does not always involve changing from one religion to another or from no faith to having faith; sometimes it can be a strengthening of faith of the believer. For William James, the key aspect of conversion experience is regeneration. This is often accompanied by increased dedication to religious duties.

Why do religious believers accept that miracles occur?

The nature of God

1. What qualities is God traditionally believed to have that may support belief in miracles?

>omnipotent- his will overrides the laws of nature

1. How might the following biblical passages support the belief that God is able to, and does, perform miracles?

• Matthew 19:26- ‘with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’ (said post camel) in relation to the ascetic life being impossible to maintain, it is possible with the help of God to whom all are possible

• Matthew 7:7-8 ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened’ there is nothing desired that god cant deliver upon

  
  

3. James A. Keller provides what he calls a moral argument against miracles. Why might the occurrence of miracles as we typically understand them undermine God's qualities of omnibenevolence and fairness?

-only occur rarely to help those in dire situations generally or to prove his power- why were these people allowed to get into the situations, why can we not all have miraculous lives

Evidence from sacred writings

1. Identify some examples of miracles recorded in sacred scriptures from more than one religion.

>parting of the Red Sea Moses + ten plagues of Egypt

>virgin birth, water into wine, feeding 5,000 with 2 fish, Walking on water, Lazarus, Reserrevtion

>Muhammad split the moon to prove his prophethood

>Guru Nanak disappeared in a river for 3 days returning to proclaim the unity of God

1. In the case of Christianity, why do many Christians feel that reports of miracles in the Bible be trusted? You may wish to refer to 2 Timothy 3:16 to help support your response.

>multiple eye witnesses (Craig)

>the entire bible is believed by literalists to be entirely true- it is God breathed and thus infallible

>tranformational impact

1. Why have some Christian thinkers, such as Rudolf Bultmann, argued that we should demythologise the Bible, including its reference to miracles?

>Bultmann Claims we should demythologise it by removing the mythical elements, the crude science, in order to find the core meaning (kerygma)

>greater coherence with science which cant be accepted post enlightenment

>for him the Bible provides profound truths

1. Some historians, such as Carl Becker, argue that miracles reported in scripture cannot be the object of historical investigation since they involve supernatural beings. However, others disagree. How did N. T. Wright argue for the historical fact of the Resurrection of Jesus?

>the conclusion of a physical res was not the natural assumption, it led to mass changes in behaviour

>found by women who were unlikely to be believed

1. Reports of miracles from sacred scripture from different religions might contradict one another. The revelation of the Qur'an to Muhammad is considered a miracle in Istam. How does the following passage from the Qur'an contradict a reported miracle in Christian scriptures?
   Say, "He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him." (Surah 112)

>sense of exclusivity- cannot believe all miracles to be true at once

>contradicts Christian ideas on the son

Affirmation of faith traditions

1. Miracles can help to confirm the authority of truth claims of a faith tradition. How is this shown in Hebrews 2:3-4?

how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

>must accept certain things on the basis of faith- miracles hard to believe, so is religion

>so miraculous it could only be created by a supreme being

1. The Resurrection of Jesus is a miracle in the Christian tradition. What key Christian beliefs might this event be said to confirm?

>Jesus as the messiah/part of the trinity

3. Are miractes definitive confirmation of the truth of a revelation? What does 2 Thessalonians 2:9 suggest?

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,

>they may be used for evil to distract from the true God through displays of power

Personal experience

7. The experience of a miracle can generate and support faith in an individual. What is the difference between 'belief-that' and 'belief-in'. How might this change in the nature of faith be affected by the experience of a miracle?

>a movement from factual agreement to true devotion - may move the believe from a doctrinal view to a more personal view

2. What did Swinburne mean by the principle of credulity? How might this relate to the personal experience of a miracle?

>we ought to believe that things are as they seem to be unless proven otherwise

>may be difficult to believe in the arrational without proper support

Do you think that people have good reason to believe that a miracle happened to them or is more likely that there is an alternative explanation?

1 Religious doctrine can often be founded on religious experiences

-Religious experiences can provide a basis for theism/present a convincing challenge to arguments for atheism this allows for religious communities to

>The Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhisattva tree Established Buddhism

>Moses and the Ten Commandments

>Mohammed and the Quran

>Bernadette confirming the doctrine of immaculate conception

>Pentecost

>Swinburne principle of Testimony and Credulity (we should trust the experiences unless we have a reason to doubt them)

-BUT a lot of experiences are just myths

>Bultmann demythologising the stories can help us reach the heart of them- it isn’t the experience themself which is important, rather the meaning

>some religions are more forces on ethical practices and communal identity that the experience

>People who undergo conversion William James are often already exposed to the teachings and might be more receptive

>often occur after psychological tension

Maybe we have an innate sense of what God is and do not need Religious Experiances eg teleological

natural theology

-OVERALL even if there are other explanations evidence points to them as providing valuable, uniting messages

>a lot of central beliefs like the trinity could not be deduced without revelation

2 Religious experiances can unite communities/Festivals strengthen community bonds

-Religious experiances can inspire these events which strengthen communities

>Bernadette’s visions at Lourdes inspired pilgrimages and healing rituals

>Festival of I’d-al-Asha honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son- animals are ritually slaughtered

-BUT Social structures put in place can be more beneficial for practices than the experiances themself

>weekly prayers or community service

>Religious experiances are too ineffable to be useful

>Durkheim claims religions purpose was to unite a community through social bonds and ethics

-OVERALL Ethical teachings eg love thy neighbour, and communal activities eg charity, foster unity independent of the experiances, and may be more important than the experiances

NO They undermine religious communities

-Not all religious testimonies can be true but how can we discern which is right

-BUT Not a problem for believers

>Swinburne claims it is a language issue, they are using the wring context to understand something that align

>Otto numinous

>Jung archetypes

What is the difference between secularism as a fact and secularism as an ideology?

Secularism as a fact refers to the reality of religious plurality and the separation of religion from state in society. It acknowledges that modern societies are diverse, with multiple religions and non-religious beliefs coexisting. This is a descriptive concept. 

Secularism as an ideology is a prescriptive stance advocating for strict separation of religion from public life, often promoting a secular worldview as superior. It may oppose religious influence in politics, education, or other public spheres, sometimes marginalising religious practices.

 

Secularisation

Secularisation: the process of society moving away from religion. This can be movement from official/public forms e.g. rituals or private forms e.g. beliefs

Secularism

Secularism: is the belief that secularisation is a benefit to society

 

Do attendance numbers give an accurate impression of the strength of Christianity in the UK?

The 2011 Census numbers are not entirely accurate- the Census did not ask a fair question, asking what is your religion forces one to say they have a religion. When asked fairly in other surveys those claiming no religion rose to over half of the respondents.

 

Does Christianity have a positive or negative role as a public utility?

POSITIVE

Provides a moral and ethical framework

Christianity has historically provided a moral compass for societies, influencing laws, governance, and societal norms. Concepts such as human dignity, equality, and care for the vulnerable have roots in Christian teachings.

Examples include the abolitionist movement, led by Christian figures like William Wilberforce, who fought to end slavery, or the civil rights movement, where leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. drew on Christian principles.

Charitable Work and Social Services

Many Christian organisations run schools, hospitals, orphanages, and food banks. These institutions provide essential services, particularly in areas where governments may lack resources.

Globally, organisations like Caritas and World Vision address poverty, disaster relief, and development, often operating in places with little state infrastructure.

Community Building

Churches serve as centres for community cohesion, offering a sense of belonging, mutual support, and a platform for collective action.

Local congregations often organise activities such as youth programmes, elderly care, and mental health support, which benefit society beyond just church members.

Advocacy for Justice and Peace

Christianity has motivated individuals and groups to campaign for social justice, peace, and human rights. Examples include liberation theology in Latin America, which seeks to address poverty and oppression.

Cultural Contributions

Christianity has deeply influenced art, music, literature, and philosophy, enriching cultural heritage. It has also provided spaces for reflection, spirituality, and existential exploration.

NEGATIVE

Historical and Ongoing Conflicts

Christianity has sometimes been used to justify violence, oppression, and colonisation. Examples include the Crusades, the Inquisition, and missionary efforts that eroded indigenous cultures.

Tensions between Christian denominations, or between Christianity and other religions, have occasionally fostered division and conflict.

Resistance to Social Change

Certain Christian groups have opposed progressive movements, such as LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and gender equality, framing these issues as incompatible with their doctrines. This can create societal divisions and hinder inclusivity.

The perception of dogmatism or inflexibility can alienate non-Christians or secular communities.

Political Influence and Power Dynamics

In some contexts, Christianity’s close ties with political institutions have led to the suppression of dissent and the marginalisation of minority groups.

For example, the role of the Church in shaping policies on abortion or education can be contentious, particularly in pluralistic societies.

Cultural Imperialism

The spread of Christianity, particularly during colonial periods, often came at the expense of indigenous traditions, languages, and belief systems. This legacy continues to provoke debate about its impact on cultural diversity.

Exclusionary Tendencies

Some critics argue that Christianity’s exclusivist claims—that salvation is only through Christ—can foster an "us vs. them" mentality, leading to social alienation for non-Christians.

To what degree is Christianity in the DNA of UK Culture/ Is Britain still a UK country?

Yes

NO

- Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg deliver Easter messages despite being atheists - The Monarch’s speech is delivered on Christmas Day - David Cameron declared it is - Parish borders remain- this influences marriage in churches. - Churches have been seen all throughout the country – C of E churches, also RC, Baptist, evangelical etc - Faith schools - Key role in communities- even if church attendance has decreased, Christianity is still prevalent in the local communities e.g. food banks, youth clubs - Huge cathedrals in London- used for big events like royal wedding. - the majority of Britons still call themselves ‘Christian’”- L Woodhead - Many customs and traditions in the UK have a foundation in Christianity e.g. Keep holy the Sabbath Day”- shops close early on Sundays - People in the UK often mark important events in a church, such as marriage, even if they are not religious, as it is traditional. - You will often find a Christian presence through chaplains in different areas of social life e.g. health care, prison. - Christian festivals influence the UK as shops are often closed and schools have holidays around them. -   - UK Parliament create UK Laws. In Parliament there are two houses: Commons which is formed of elected MPs and Lords which is formed of members, not elected. The two types of members are Lords Temporal (appointed by themonarch) and Lords Spiritual (26 of the most senior Church of England bishops). - To pass a law, both hoses must approve. UK law is influenced by Christianity due to Parliament containing Church of England bishops. - Meetings of both Houses open with Christian prayers. - An example of a law that reflects the teachings of Christianity isDo not kill

Census Data The trends between 2001 and 2011 Christianity decreased from 71.7% to 59.3%. Atheism rose 14.8% to 25.1%. Islam rose 3% to 4.8% London was the most diverse nation with Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity being identified with. North-East and West highest proportion of Christians while Wales highest proportion of atheism. The British social attitudes survey showed that actually less that 15% report attending religious services on a weekly basis- this is RELIGIOUS, not explicitly Christianity and also potentially inflated due to people thinking they attend more than they do. This is staggeringly different to what percentage we see associated with Christianity.   Arguably, we cannot say we are truly a ‘Christian country’ when figures show that very few people regularly attend church services, those affiliating with non-religious groups/atheism /agnosticism are growing and there is very little even distribution in the age of those who affiliate with the Church of England. ‘no religion’ category: Some are atheists, others are questioning the existence of God. Some even participate in religious or spiritual practices but what brings them together is not being part of a religious community. less than half of these people are atheists, most people doubt the existence of god and think maybe god exists. 60% of people identifying with no religion are 18-24 years old- meaning it is likely to expand. Half the population say that they believe in God.This study does not state if this is the Christian tradition of God based on creeds or the doctrine of the Trinity. The BBC commissioned the ORB (opinion research business) to do a survey in 2000. they discovered it might be more accurate to say the population is more spiritual. The decline of Christianity is clearly visible when looking at the number of people participating in rites such as baptism, marriage and funerals. All of these services are either declining or being reshaped into non-religious practices. C of E: in the 1950s- 67% of the population were baptised. In 2011- 12%! 1957: 72% of marriages were in churches, but by 2000 this was now 36.3% There are still religious funerals but often they are now ‘celebrations of life’. Often less religious. Often there is little discussion from the government and politicians regarding religion. Popular culture also shows evidence of criticism, rather than acceptance of religion ‘The God delusion’ (2006) by Richard Dawkins- a best seller

Faith Schools/ denominational schools

-A school associated with a religious tradition

>Design own RS curriculum, often have a mission statement

>Faith school- some of the best schools due to being funded by religion

>Most are affiliated with Christianity

>Receive some funding from religious organisations which could own the building or land

-Linda Woodhead: arguably faith is important but Woodhead says the main motivations are academic standards, location, discipline, ethical values, prestige, exposure to a faith tradition, and transmission of belief about God

-In these schools they might appoint governors to represent the religious ethos of the school.

>They can be responsible for the admission policy and appointing staff so they can hire people who adhere to the religion.

-They often prioritise people affiliated with the schools faith

>e.g. ask for a baptismal certificate or a letter from a religious leader to certify the their attendance at worship. But some have have removed this criteria because often people will attend church just to get a place over someone who lives nearer

-Faith schools must still follow the national curriculum but they can focus on their own tradition in RS

-Advantages: need met of parents wanting children with religious grounding in their education, good values, diversity and choice in educational landscape often best performing state schools

-Issues: indoctrination and lack of exposure to other religions, isn't inspected specifically by Ofstead, not an objective approach to religion, doesnt cover all religions, may exclude ethical issues From non-religious perspective.

>PSHE might teach sex and relationships components in a homophobic or gender discriminatory way. Things are taught as scientific theories e.g. creationism.

-British humanist association campaigns against faith schools: want the public to petition against eating one to acome morolic iud wants the

-They argue it contradicts the belief of a fully inclusive and integrated education system-excludes staff and students and governors based on faith.

-

77% of parents choose to send their children to a faith school on the basis of academic standards, followed by 58% choosing location. Massively juxtaposes the 5% of parents who send their children there for exposure to the faith and the 3% who do it for transition of beliefs.

Positives of secularisation:

Religious viability: religion continues to be popular in other forms.	De-privatisation: religion has brought about positive social change, it is not just a private personal belief. Moving religion away from it being private	Globalisation- Christianity can be boosted in some places due to transnational religious movements
Nature of modernity: different ways of being ‘modern’. Religion can be a source when science doesn’t give a solution.	Gender: views on gender roles can explain the success/failure of individual denominations	Rational choice: because there is less state regulation, religion thrives. The decline of the state church isn’t the same as the decline of Christianity (RCCG

 

• Some argue it allows for a more humane society. It is natural and good as often religion is associated with violent, authority and control. However, science is associated with progress, humanity and tolerance.

• Many argue that the more modern society becomes, the less religious it will be- the two are incompatible!

 

Christianity has resisted secularisation:

• ‘Modern science’ has not really helped with issues like health care, famine or global warming.

• Believers and those with no religion often come together: the boundaries are not always strong e.g. Occupy movement; protesting the excesses of global capitalism. Moved to the grounds of St Paul’s cathedral hoping the church would be an ally with their cause. It was a social cause that brought together religious and non-religious people.

• It means faith has more meaning- secularisation has meant that religion is seen less as a duty but as a choice

• Lots of religious movements are progression and ‘modern’ e.g. Street Pastor movement- church response to urban needs. Helping those at night with volunteers, not to convert people. A listening ear. They are widespread in over 300 towns.

 

Theme 3D: Challenges from Secularisation

A02

 

“The U.K. can be called a Christian country” To what extent do you agree?

 

Themes	The UK/ Britain is a Christian country	The UK/ Britain is no longer a Christian country	Judgement
Church attendance	Cathedral worship is growing Many use churches at a time of transition- funeral, wedding. Even most small remote rural villages have a church There are many active and growing churches with contemporary worship (Holy Trinity Brompton)	Appeal to Church attendance figures- Only 5% attend church regularly Empty churches are for sale e.g. a church in the UK is being turned into a mosque Secular marriages and funerals are on the rise.	L Woodhead “Britain… exists somewhere in between Christian, multi-faith and none” Many identify as Christian but are less active in the community.
Public lifeand culture	Head of state is head of the church and bishops play a role in the house of the lords Literature and media is permeated with Christian themes e.g   Christmas and Easter holidays and decorations. E.g. Christmas lights across towns and cities.	G. Davie “The centre of British society is gradually shifting away from Christianity, but remains deeply coloured by it.”   New Atheism has received literary nd media attention.   Christians sometimes feel restricted in the UK- the banning of the Lord’s prayer advert before Star Wars in 2015.   Other festivals e.g. Bonfire night and Carnival celebrate the diversity of modern Britain and do not focus on a religion. There are also days for non-religious groups e.g. World Humanist Day   Some Christians find themselves marginalised because of their beliefs: e.g. Nadia Ewida suspended by British Airways for not covering her crucifix. Other religious groups are allowed to celebrate their festivals e.g. Eid al-Fitr. These celebrations remind us that the UK is a multi-faith country.
Schools	Approximately 1/3 of schools in the UK have a faith affiliation. This results in some power to a faith criterion for subscription and to teach RE in their own way.

 

 

 

 

 

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“Faith schools should no longer exist in the UK” To what extent do you agree?

 

Themes	Faith schools should no longer exist in the UK	Faith schools should exist in the UK	Judgement

An example of how the law has changed due to secularisation is how trading hours on Sunday are not longer as rigid. This shows how Christianity has potentially lost its status in society.

Dawkins: religious belief conflicts with scientific understandings. Schools now teach the Big Bang and evolution so arguable there is a conflict between the views.

Dawkins criticises the teaching of creationism in schools because it reduces scientific literacy. However, he acknowledges the cultural significance of Christianity. He just disagrees with its continued influence on modern life and policy.