Secularisation Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is Secularisation?
The decline in religion
(for secularisation) What does Weber state?
Rational Thought: People are now looking towards science and rationality rather than believing religion and the supernatural.
Ao3 - For example, Removing a priest for paedophilia.
(for secularisation) What does Bruce state?
Technological Worldview: Religious beliefs have now become marginalised, with people turning to them for a last resort.
Due to the advanced technology in society, instead of people turning to religion for answers the turn to tech. E.g. Google
(for secularisation) What does Parsons state?
Structural Differentiation:
Disengagement and Privatisation -
(for secularisation) What does Berger state?
Sacred Canopy: There was a monopoly (Catholicism) over people, but this has now changed to peoples own versions of the truth.
There is no longer one sacred truth. Instead, more religions being creating. This then causes the Plausibility Structure. People now are questioning the truth in religion, turning it into a matter of opinion.
Ao3 - The Sacred Canopy is making more religions, so religion can’t be in decline. E.g. NRM’s and NAM’s.
(for secularisation) What does Lyotard state?
Competing Metanarratives: Religion have lost their influence, people are more likely to control their own identities.
This leads to a Pick n’ Mix identity, with people mow having more choice in which metanarratives they want to believe = wider choice. E.g. Creating their own religions.
Ao3 - If their are more religions being created, religion is increasing.
(Against secularisation) What does Davie state?
Believing without Belonging: The church is no longer needed to a religion.
This leads to vicarious religion. Religion is still being practiced, people are still sharing thesis religious events without belonging to a church.
(Against secularisation) What does Leger state?
Spiritual Shopping: Leads from Davie. There is personal choice rather than an obligation to follow religion.
This creates ‘Cultural Amnesia’.
Instead of religion being passed on from generations, children are now able to decide for themselves.
(Against secularisation) What does Lyon state?
(Against secularisation) What does Helland state?
Online Religion/ Religion Online:
Religion Online - Relgious organizations use the internet to address members and potential converts.
Online Religion - Religions that have no existence outside of the internet. E.g. virtual worship and meditation spaces.
What is a postmodernist criticism of Helland’s argument?
They see online religion as a radical alternative.
(Against secularisation) What is Heelas and Woodhead’s study?
In their study in Kendall, they found that there was a decline in traditional religion but an increase in new age movements.
They identified this as Holistic Milieu.
(Against secularisation) What are Stark + Bainbridge’s findings?
Rational Choice theory:
Based on the assumptions that people are naturally religious with religion meeting human needs, and it’s human nature to seek rewards and avoid costs.
They argue religion provides people with compensators, such as the reward of immortality.
E.g. Religion in America vs Europe.
(Against secularisation) What is Norris + Inglehart’s theory?
Existential Security Theory:
They argue that it is not the amount of choice determining religiosity but the degree of existential security. (The feeling of survival being taken for granted).
Don’t agree with S&B.
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