Explanations of Secularisation

What disengagement mean in the context of secularisation?

- The Church has become disengaged/become separated from society.

What does Bruce argues about disengagement?

- Bruce argues that the Church and the state are becoming more separate - and in fact, the Church may well take different views on issues from the government.

- Consider the debate concerning same-sex marriage in the Anglican church and the recent debate on the Assisted Dying Bill.

- Also, when Tony Blair (a man with strong religious commitment) was PM, he made little comment on religious issues. The line, from Alistair Campbell, was: 'We don't do God.'

What is meant by Societalisation?

- The Church used to be the centre of the community, but today it is not involved in many communities as it once was.

- However, this might not be the case for some ethnic minorities. This is known as Societalisation (process by which aspects of life become the responsibility of the state and less of a responsibility for religion and local communities).

What is an evaluation of Disengagement?

- As a result of structural differentiation (institutions becoming more specialised) the Church can now concentrate on 'real religion' - God's world, spirituality, morality etc.

- The Church does still have a role to play e.g. Pay Day Loans, Food Banks, the political debate on homosexuality, gay marriage, abortion.

- In some cultures, such as fundamentalist Islamic states, religion remains very important.

What does Woodhead say about the social disengagement of religion?

- Woodhead (2008) argues that religion does still have a significant influence as shown by the role of religion in national celebrations or mourning, such as the Queen's death in Sep 2022.

- Woodhead also points out that large numbers of people still use church services for rites of passage.

- Also, the legal system is still underpinned by religion e.g. through the swearing of oaths on the Bible. You can now either an oath or make a legally binding promise, known as an affirmation.

How does Rationalism/Desacrilisation contribute to secularisation?

- Some sociologists have argued that society has been undergoing a process of desacrilisation, in which supernatural forces are no longer seen as controlling the world, and action is no longer directed by religious beliefs.

- It's the idea that rational thinking (science) has replaced religious influence in our lives. Science has given explanations for phenomena which once religion provided answers for such as how the world was created.

What does Bruce argue about rationalism?

- He claims that technological and scientific advances give people a greater sense of control over the natural world, and they don't need to resort to supernatural explanations, e.g. the Tsunami is a scientific weather phenomena and not the work of God.

- This has led to 'disenchantment' with God.

What does Herberg argue about rationalism?

He also points out that Churches themselves have become less religious e.g. Warm spaces, social spaces, Childcare & Community space.

What is an evaluation for rationalism?

However, scientific beliefs do not necessarily dominate.

- People still prefer religious explanations for random events, e.g. the loss of a loved one.

- People still believe in fate or luck e.g. Superstitious signs & Astrology,

- Religion still helps people to cope with stress.

- The growth of NRMs and NAMs means that there is still an important place in life for non-rational ideas. e.g. Meditations, Spirituality.

- There is also an interest in general distrust in science, due to it creating more problems than it solves; e.g. pollution and the failure to cure diseases.

How is religious pluralism an explanation for secularisation?

- This is the ideas that there is no longer one religion that promotes value consensus or social solidarity, there are many. There are many different and diverse religious beliefs (pluralism) in the world, so religion is no longer a force to integrate, influence and unite society.

- In the Middle Ages, the CC held an absolute monopoly - it had no competition. This meant that everyone lived under a single sacred canopy (shared set of beliefs). This gave these beliefs greater plausibility because no-one questioned the church's version of the truth.

- Because of this plurality, religion is more questioned much more so. If there are different versions of the 'truth' who is say if which is true.

- Also, because there are alternative ways of thinking and behaving different churches have come together.

- Other evidence for religious pluralism is the growth of NRMs and NAMs which may mean people have become 'spiritual shoppers', which suggests they are less likely to commit to a religion.

What is an example of different churches working together?

The Ecumenical Movement

- The ecumenical movement that promotes unity among Christian churches and denominations by finding common theological ground.

- Practically this also means that churches come together because of declining congregations and the rising coast of keeping churches open, when attendance is lower. E.g. World Council of Churches, Queen's Funeral was largely multi-faith.

What is an evaluation of Religious Pluralism?

- The fact that a diversity/pluralism of religions exist can be seen as a strength. Religion is still valued and important.

- Heelas would argue against the idea that religious pluralism is a sign of secularisation. Heelas and Woodhead's Kendal Project (2000-2002) pointed out that the people of Kendal were heavily involved in alternative spirituality (TM, yoga, tai chi, aromatherapy etc).

- Stark & Bainbridge argue that NAMs and NRMs are becoming more important in meeting the needs of individuals and religion acts a Compensator (something that makes up for something missing.)

- The growth of evangelical churches (such as Pentecostalism) suggests that UK society is undergoing a religious revival. These churches according to Nelson offer a more spontaneous religion, which is less reliant on ritual and is more attractive to young people.

- Resacrilisation - some would argue that interest and belief in the sacred are coming back (Jonas brothers - chastity rings etc).

What is a Global perspective of secularisation?

- Many writers have pointed out that secularisation has tended to be seen in terms of decline of organised established churches in Northern Europe.

- However, according to surveys, some European societies continue to experience reasonably high levels of church attendance, especially the mainly Catholic countries of Ireland, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Italy.

- The Pew Center (2014) has reported that between 1991 and 2008 the share of Russian adults identifying as Orthodox Christians rose from 31% TO 72%.

What does Hamilton point out?

- He points out that in some developed and industrialised non-Western countries religion is central to cultural life e.g. Japan, where 180,000 groups were registered at religious corporations in 2011, visits to shrines are a crucial part of Japanese holidays. Prayers are left with shrines before important exams, interviews etc.

How is American an example of a religious nation?

In the USA:

- 40% of the adult population regularly attend Church.

- 20 million watch 'televangelist' programmes each week.

- 90% of Americans claim to believe in God.

- 2% of American adults claim to be atheists.

However, in the US it might be harder to be an atheist as many Americans are worried about being ostracised by parents, friends, employers etc. There is huge pressure to conform.

What Scharf (1970) suggest about religion in America

- He suggests that American Churches have developed in a secular way.

- Regular belief becomes subordinate to other values of democracy, freedom, attainment and material success.

What does Bruce argue about religion in America?

- He argues that religion in the USA has mainly developed as a means of cultural transition and cultural defence.

- The argument is that religion itself has become more secular.

- But, there is a dominance of fundamentalist Protestant religions in the southern Bible Belt. These take the bible literally, they are opposed to abortion, homosexuality and the teaching of evolution in schools.