[3.2] Secularisation in America Flashcards
What did Wilson (1962) find?
45% of Americans attended church on Sundays, but this was mainly due to an expression of the American way of life, not a commitment to God.
Which three sources does Bruce (2002) use to support Wilson’s view that America is becoming increasingly secular?
Declining church attendance, secularisation from within and religious diversity.
What did Hadaway (1993) find?
Church attendance figures did not match those obtained through surveys.
Until when did church attendance figures match opinion polls?
The 1970s.
What does Bruce (2002) suggest?
The stable 40% attendance rate over the past years has masked the decline in religion.
What could the widening gap between actual attendance and said attendance show?
It could show that it is still seen to be socially desirable to go to church in America.
What has religion become in America?
A form of therapy.
How has American religion remained popular?
By becoming less religious, secularising from within.
How has the purpose of religion shifted?
It is no longer about seeking salvation but it is about personal improvement in this world.
What does religious diversity mean for churchgoers?
They have become less dogmatic in their views.
What is there a trend towards in American Christians?
Practical relativism, where you accept that others can hold differing beliefs to your own.
What did Lynd and Lynd find?
In 1929, 94% of young churchgoing people agreed with the statement ‘Christianity is the one true religion and all people should be converted to it’. In 1977, only 41% agreed.
Criticise secularisation theory in three points.
- Religion may not be declining but simply changing it’s form.
- Evidence of falling church attendance does not consider those who believe without belonging.
- Religion may have declined in Europe and America, but that does not mean that secularisation is a worldwide phenomenon.
