seclularisation
Secularisation in Britain
Crockett (1998) estimates that in 1851, 40% or more of the adult population of Britain attended church on Sundays, which led some to claim that the 19th century was a golden age' of religiosity.
Wilson (1966) argues that Western societies have been undergoing a long-term process of secularisation, where 'religious beliefs, practices and institutions lose social significance'.
It is certainly the case that there have been some major changes in religion in the UK since the 19th century: a fall in the proportion of the population attending church, an increase in the average age of churchgoers, and greater religious diversity.
Church attendance today
Only about 4% of the adult population attended church on Sundays in 2020, halving since the 1960s and likely to fall further.
Sunday school attendance, church weddings and baptisms are declining.
Overall, religious affiliation (membership) is declining. Since 1983, adults with no religion have risen from a third to over a half, and those identifying as Christian have fallen by a 40%.
Some small organisations have grown. The number of Catholics has increased slightly. due to East European immigration. Non-Christian religions have also increased, due to immigration and higher birth rates.
Religious belief today
Evidence from 80 years of surveys shows a decline in belief in God, in Jesus as the son of God and in Christian teachings about the afterlife and the Bible.
Religious institutions today
Bruce (2002) agrees with Wilson that all the evidence on secularisation has shown that 'there is a steady and unremitting decline'.
The influence of religion as a social institution is declining. Religion once affected every aspect of life, but now is relegated to the private sphere of individual and family.
The state has taken over many of the functions the church used to perform, e.g. schooling.
The number of clergy fell from 45,000 in 1900 to 34,000 in 2000, while the population increased in size, reducing the church's local, day-to-day influence.
Bruce predicts that the Methodist Church will fold by 2030 and the Church of England will be merely a small voluntary organisation with a large amount of heritage property.
Secularisation (Decline of religion’s influence in society)
1. Rationalisation
People use science and reason to explain things instead of religion.
Example: Doctors explain illness through medicine rather than God’s will.
2. Religious Diversity
There are many different religions and beliefs, so no single religion has authority over everyone.
Example: People can choose from many faiths or no religion at all.
3. Cultural Defence and Transition
Religion can remain important during times of change or threat.
Cultural defence: Religion protects a group’s identity.
Cultural transition: Religion helps migrants settle into a new country.
Example: Churches, mosques, and temples can provide support networks for migrants.
4. Structural Differentiation
Other institutions have taken over functions once carried out by religion.
Example: Schools provide education. Hospitals provide healthcare. Courts provide justice. This makes religion less important in everyday life.
5. Social and Cultural Diversity
Modern society is more diverse, with many lifestyles, cultures, and beliefs. People can choose their own values rather than following religious rules.
Example: People may base decisions about marriage, family, or morality on personal choice rather than religion
Rationalisation = Science replaces religious explanations.
Religious diversity = More religions = less authority for one religion.
Cultural defence & transition = Religion helps during threats and change.
Structural differentiation = Other institutions take over religion’s roles.
Social & cultural diversity = More choice means less religious influence.
Secularisation in the USA (Bruce, 2002)
Although America appears very religious, Bruce (2002) argues that it is becoming more secular.
1. Declining church attendance
Church attendance figures may be exaggerated. Opinion polls suggest around 40% of Americans attend church regularly, but Hadaway et al. (1993) found actual attendance was much lower than people claimed. This suggests fewer people are practising religion than surveys indicate.
2. Secularisation from within
Religion has changed its purpose. Instead of focusing on worshipping God and achieving salvation, it increasingly focuses on personal happiness, self-help, and coping with problems. Bruce argues that religion has become more like therapy than traditional religion.
3. Religious diversity and relativism
People are more accepting of different beliefs. Relativism means recognising that different people can hold different beliefs and that no religion has a monopoly on truth. Lynd and Lynd (1929) found that 94% of churchgoing young people believed Christianity was the one true religion, but by 1977 only 41% agreed. This shows that certainty in religious beliefs has declined.
Evaluation
Some sociologists argue that the USA is still highly religious because belief in God remains widespread, religion continues to influence politics, and many churches still attract large numbers of worshippers.
Quick summary: America is becoming secular because church attendance may be lower than claimed, religion has become more focused on personal wellbeing, and religious diversity has encouraged greater acceptance of different beliefs.