Secularisation

Question 1

What is secularisation?

Answer 1

Secularisation is the process by which religious institutions, practices, and beliefs lose their social significance.

Question 2

True or False: Secularisation leads to an increase in religious beliefs in society.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

What term describes the decline of religious authority in public life?

Answer 3

Secularisation

Question 4

Fill in the blank: According to Wilson, secularisation is the result of _______.

Answer 4

modernisation

Question 5

What is the significance of the term ‘disenchantment’ in the context of secularisation?

Answer 5

Disenchantment refers to the loss of magical or supernatural explanations for events, replaced by rational and scientific understanding.

Question 6

Name one sociologist who argued that secularisation is a linear process.

Answer 6

Bryan Wilson

Question 7

What is one indicator of secularisation in society?

Answer 7

Decline in church attendance

Question 8

True or False: Secularisation is uniform across all societies.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

What does ‘religious pluralism’ refer to?

Answer 9

The coexistence of multiple religions and belief systems within a society.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The _______ hypothesis suggests that as societies become more modern, they become less religious.

Answer 10

secularisation

Question 11

What is one effect of secularisation on religious institutions?

Answer 11

Reduced power and influence in political and social affairs.

Question 12

Name one country that is often cited as experiencing high levels of secularisation.

Answer 12

Sweden

Question 13

What role does education play in the process of secularisation?

Answer 13

Education promotes critical thinking and scientific understanding, leading to a decline in religious explanations.

Question 14

True or False: Secularisation results in a complete disappearance of religion.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

What is the ‘secularisation thesis’?

Answer 15

The theory that as societies progress, they become more secular and less religious.

Question 16

What does the term ‘religious fundamentalism’ imply in the context of secularisation?

Answer 16

A reaction against secularisation, where individuals or groups seek to return to traditional religious values.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The _______ of religion is often associated with the rise of individualism in modern societies.

Answer 17

privatisation

Question 18

Name a factor that contributes to secularisation.

Answer 18

Technological advancement

Question 19

What does ‘religious decline’ refer to?

Answer 19

The decrease in the number of people identifying with or practicing a religion.

Question 20

True or False: Secularisation can lead to the growth of new religious movements.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is one criticism of the secularisation thesis?

Answer 21

It oversimplifies the complex relationship between religion and society.

Question 22

What is the term for the societal shift from collective religious practices to individual spirituality?

Answer 22

Privatisation of religion

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Secularisation is often linked to _______ and urbanisation.

Answer 23

industrialisation

Question 24

What does ‘secular ethics’ refer to?

Answer 24

Moral principles that are based on reason and humanistic values rather than religious beliefs.

Question 25

Name one sociologist who opposed the secularisation thesis.

Answer 25

Steve Bruce

Question 26

What is the relationship between secularisation and globalization?

Answer 26

Globalization can lead to increased exposure to diverse beliefs, contributing to secularisation.

Question 27

What are changes in religion since 1851 Census (UK)?

Answer 27

Decline in population of church goers, mid 19th century = 40%, 1960s = 10-15% - Increase in average age of church goers - Fewer baptisms and church weddings - A decline in the numbers hold traditional Christian beliefs - Greater diversity, including more non-Christian religions