Secularisation in Britain

Wilson’s definition of secularisation + who agreed with him?

Wilson defined secularisation as ‘the process whereby religious beliefs, practices and institutions lose social significance’.

Bruce agreed with Wilson there has been a significant decline in church goers and adds that he predicts by 2030 the Church of England will be merely a small voluntary organisation with large amounts of heritage property.

What was Wilsons statistics for church attendance in Britain from the 1851, 1960s and 2015

1851 century church over 40% of adults in Britain were attending Sunday church

1960s church attendance in England and Wales has fallen from 40% of the population 10-15% + decline in church weddings, baptism and Sunday school attendance.

2015 about 5% of British adults attending Sunday church

What is a bogus baptism?

While infant baptism have declined those of older children have increased in recent years. This is as many faith schools, which tend to be higher performing schools, only take baptised children. Baptism thus becomes an entry ticket to a good school rather than a sign of Christianity.

Statistics on clergy’s and priest in Britain + what did Woodhead argue?

During the 20th century clergy’s dropped from 45,000 to 34,000 and priest dropping by a third from 1965 to 2011.

Woodhead argued that clergy’s are an ageing workforce and a lack of them within local communities means that the day to day influence of church has reduced.