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Reasons for secularisation: Scientific
Bruce argues growth of scientific explanation for why things happen + tech application = undermined religion. Resulted in religion being sidelined/marginalised. Only used as a last resort eg, illness.
Weber agrees saying they’re squeezing out religious ways/thinking (disenchantment). Argues in pre mod society, enchantment was common + people have meaning to various natural phenomen. The increase of modernity/science = shift to more predictable understanding of world. Events are no longer to be explained as the work of the unpredictable supernatural beings but predictable working forces.
Reasons for secularisation: scientific
Who are the main sociologists with the scientific explanation
Bruce: growth of scientific explanation
Weber: disenchantment
Reasons for secularisation: institutional changes
Who is the key thinkers for this explanation
Parsons: structural differentiation
Herberg: secularisation from within
Reasons for secularisation: institutional changes
Parsons
Parsons: structural differentiation is where religious institutions have withdrawn from society. In the past, churches were the focal point (family,education,healthcare,economic support) making them a fundamental part in people’s lives. Nowadays, we have specialised institutions that have taken over (NHS, care home, state benefit).
Reasons for secularisation: institutional changes
Herberg
Herberg argues about secularisation from within. In order to survive in a secular society, religious institutions have been forced to move away from religious doctrines + watered down beliefs to be less religious. Proof of this is with female priests, divorce, abortion, contraception. Religious institutions have become so weak they no longer set trends.
Reasons for secularisation: religious diversity
Who is the key thinker for this
Berger - the sacred canopy
Reasons for secularisation: religious diversity
Berger discusses the sacred canopy. The Catholic Church used to have a monopoly of truth, having 0 competition. As a result, everyone lived under 1 set canopy of beliefs. This gave those believes a greater plausibility structure + Catholic Church went unquestioned. Due to globalisation, RD has increased with diff versions of the truth, challenging the church. Society is no longer unified under the sacred canopy. Instead, RD creates a purity of life worlds where people’s perception of the world Varys + begin to feel lost/confused on what to believe in.
Reasons for secularisation: who discusses Disneyfication
Lyon discusses disneyfaction. Which is the transformation of something to a diluted version of original form to create attraction. He found this insight attending harvest day at Disney with Christian figures replacing the other attractions. This enabled us people to interact with artificial Disney land fantasy’s. This blending of religions + consumerism = religion being seen as a packaged commodity. Creates shallow spirituality not religious belief. Eg, Christmas (average 2 trillion) Celebs being paid to promote religion (Tom cruise with Scientology).
A03 key thinkers for the critism of explanations of secularisation
Berger, Aldridge, Davie, Bruce, general
A03 key of explanations of secularisation: Berger
He changed his mind. He now argued diversity/change would stimulate interest/participation in religions. Growth of new religious movements/costs suggests growing demand of religious/spiritual belief.
A03 key of explanations of secularisation: Bruce
Religion has increased amongst ethnic minority. Cultural defence = religion provides a focal point for defence of national ethnic identity in a struggle against a hostile society.
Cultural transition: religion provides support/community for EM eg, migrants, mosques, temples aid process of integration into society.
A03 key of explanations of secularisation: Davie
Davie discusses believing without belonging. Argues decline in church attendance doesn’t equal decline in religion but a search for more personal/religious experience. People with developing spiritual beliefs tend to feel disillusioned with the trad church due to restrictive values + have casual loyalty to religion known as fuzzy fidelity. Reasons for not belonging could include (work/life balance no time, judgement from church)
A03 key of explanations of secularisation: Aldridge
Argues loss of churches doesn’t mean loss of religion. Some religious groups are dispersed across the world with no focus point. Aldridge calls the imagined communities. Despite their lack of religious institutions, it’s religion that brings theM together via SM/internet. Eg, the Jewish community.
A03 key of explanations of secularisation: General
Church still holds power. They have funds of 5.2 billion and is 1 of the largest property owners in uk.
Why has religious institutions changes
Religious institutions have changed with the way the gov have taken over the church, making religion confined to a private sphere.
Examples: Introduction of faith schools, House of Lords act 1999, divorce law 1969, the pilll 1970, same sex marriage 2013
How has religious affiliation changed
Those identifying as Christian fell by 1/3. Non Christian religions have increased due to immigration, high birth rates, social attitude.
What are some problems with measuring secularisation
• No universally agreed definition of secularisation, sociologists may interpret it diff.
• historical documents are sparce, making it difficult to find trends. High participation doesnt mean high believe.
