Secularisation Flashcards
(52 cards)
What are the three main challenges of secularisation?
- The replacement of religion as the source of truth and moral values
- The relegation of religion to the personal sphere
- The rise of militant atheism: the view that religion is irrational
What is secularism?
The principle of keeping the state separate from religious institutions, and neutral on matters of religion
What is secularisation?
The shift in society away from religious concerns, values, and traditions
What could potentially replace religion as the source of truth and moral values?
Social and cultural trends, celebrities and influencers / science / scientism / Humanism / other philosophical views and political ideologies / New Age spirituality and other forms of alternative expression
Why might the replacement of religion as a source of truth and moral values be an issue for Buddhists?
People less likely in a secular society to turn to religion for guidance, including Buddhism / could undermine sources of wisdom e.g. Pali Canon, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas / makes it harder for the Sangha to maintain a relationship with ordinary people if they are no longer valued
Why might the replacement of religion as a source of truth and moral values be an opportunity for Buddhists?
The shift away from Christianity as a source of truth leaves former Christians open to alternatives sources of truth e.g. Buddhism / Buddhism could use Upaya to adapt its teachings e.g. through secular Buddhism / society has experienced a ‘crisis of meaning’ as a result of the ‘death of God’ or replacement of religion, and Buddhism could address this
What is the personal sphere?
The part of life where individuals enjoy the greatest authority and freedom from state interference, e.g. the family, home, close friends. Also known as the private sphere.
How has religion already been relegated to the personal sphere in Britain?
Law on daily worship in schools no longer enforced / case of Michaela School banning prayer / most religious laws e.g. blasphemy, homosexuality now abolished at state level / less tolerance for public expression of religion
Why might the relegation of religion to the personal sphere be an issue for Buddhists?
Many Buddhist practices are public in nature and involve ordinary people, e.g. alms walks/building of temples and stupas / fewer people learning about religion means fewer opportunities to teach the Dharma / the bodhisattva ideal involves trying to save all sentient beings, which goes beyond practicing religion in the personal sphere
Why might the relegation of religion to the personal sphere be an opportunity for Buddhists?
Many Buddhist practices can be done at home and without affecting the public sphere e.g. Puja at a personal shrine, meditation, chanting / isolated Buddhist communities such as Amaravati would not be affected by this / Buddhists could use Upaya to present a more personalised, less institutionalised, form of Buddhism
What is militant atheism
The belief that religion is irrational and harmful, and should be actively opposed
What are some of the main arguments of militant atheism against religion?
It encourages people to be satisfied with a lack of understanding / the portrayal of God in holy scripture raises many moral problems / faith often goes directly against reason and evidence (e.g. rejecting evolution) / religion is the main cause of war and conflict and holds society back with outdated attitudes
Why might the rise of militant atheism be an issue for Buddhists?
Buddhism is a religion so would be damaged by any large-scale atheist movement / Buddhists have some outdated views which militant atheists would attack (e.g. blaming karma for misfortune in life, women having to follow additional precepts, not ordaining homosexual monks) / some forms of Buddhism are very reliant on faith rather than reason (e.g. Pure Land) and so would be seen as irrational
Why might the rise of militant atheism be an opportunity for Buddhists?
Militant atheism is mostly opposed to Abrahamic religions, and any damage to these could cause more people to turn to Buddhism instead / many of the militant atheist arguments apply far less to Buddhism, e.g. there is no problem of evil, Buddhists very rarely get involved with war and conflict, many Buddhist scriptures have very liberal messages (e.g. Dragon King’s Daughter) / Batchelor argues Buddhism is not a religion so could not be attacked by militant atheists
Which British Buddhist school has preserved traditional forms of Buddhism?
Amaravati (based on Thai Forest)
What are the two new forms of Buddhism which have emerged in the UK?
Triratna and Secular
What aspects of traditional Buddhism are preserved by Amaravati?
Traditional monastic lifestyle / following precepts / reliance on donations / running retreats for laypeople / aspiring to the Arhat ideal
How does Triratna Buddhism adapt Buddhist teachings for a new audience?
Moving away from “cultural accretions” such as the bodhisattva and arhat ideals / focus on Samatha and mindfulness meditation / encouraging followers to live together in single-sex communities but without a distinction between monks and laypeople / encouraging and supporting Right Livelihood businesses
Why might Amaravati appeal more than other forms of religious expression?
In an increasingly secularised world it is an opportunity to experience traditional and authentic religion / it could be good for those looking for opportunities to build self-discipline through stricter practice
Why might Triratna appeal more than other forms of religious expression?
Allows laypeople to continue to pursue secular goals while having a religious life / it is adapted to the needs of British people so may be less challenging to follow
Why might Secular Buddhism appeal more than other forms of religious expression?
It doesn’t require people raised in a secular world to believe what they might see as far-fetched religious ideas / it is based around mindfulness so has psychological benefits / it is not a ‘religion’ so does not carry as much stigma
Which form of Buddhism would be the most obvious response to the replacement of religion as a source of truth and moral values?
Triratna -> argues that religion still has a place in guiding our lives even in a secular world
Which form of Buddhism would be the most obvious response to the relegation of religion to the personal sphere?
Amaravati -> does not require followers to engage at the level of the public sphere
Which form of Buddhism would be the most obvious response to the rise of militant atheism?
Secular Buddhism -> redefines Buddhism so it is not a religion and therefore less vulnerable to attack
