The Challenge of Secularism Flashcards
What is Secularism and Secularisation?
Secularism is the belief that religious institutions and ideology should not affect how the state is run; all belief systems are equal in the eyes of the law.
Secularisation is the process of making a society more secular by removing religious influences.
Who was Sigmund Freud and why did he advocate secularism?
He was an atheist psychoanalyst who believed that religion was an ‘obsessional neurosis.’ He believed science and psychoanalysis would be able to cure someone of their religion.
What are some key points surrounding Freud’s anti-religious stance?
- Religion is wish-fulfilment because it is the subconscious projecting onto the conscious mind.
- It is a result of the Oedipus Complex, where a boy resents his father because he cannot sexually possess his mother. This resentment forms a bond with God, the ultimate father figure.
- Expressed in primitive cultures through a totem pole, a phallic symbol where one seeks forgiveness.
- Repetition of this worship is obsessional.
- Religion leads to conflict and negativity.
Who is Richard Dawkins and why does he advocate secularism?
He is an evolutionary biologist known for his rejection of a need for a creator God, given the evidence for evolution. Scientific progress has removed the need to speak of a metaphysical power and questions should not be answered with an unsubstantiated belief in God.
What are some key points surrounding Dawkins’ anti-religious stance?
- It causes war and conflict.
- Religion holds back children - it is a form of child abuse because parents label their children before they can think for themselves.
- Religion advocates ignorance as Christians believe the world was created 6000 years ago in six days with the species in the current form. There is lots of evidence against this.
What are some arguments in support of faith schools?
- Only 1/3 of schools are faith schools so families have choice.
- Church attendance might be dropping but many still consider themselves Christian and this could be reflected in their child’s education.
- All schools have mission statements and value systems so faith schools are no different from other schools.
- It reflects diversity and tolerance.
- Pupils in faith schools are diverse and don’t always reflect their faith background.
Arguments against faith schools?
- They label children from a young age.
- Religious bias behind some areas like RE and Science may reaffirm narrow beliefs and cause radicalisation.
- Children in faith schools are not fully aware of the rest of secular society.
- Might reflect the narrow views on what religious people are like.
- Faith should be something taught only by parents are religious communities.
What is the UK’s relationship with the Church like?
The UK historically has close ties to Christianity. The Church of England is a national Church and the King is its supreme governor. Some bishops have automatic seats in the House of Lords. In modern times, more faith denominations are being represented in the House, although some argue these links should be severed.
What are some negatives and positives of state secularisation?
Positives:
- More balanced secularisation could celebrate all perspectives, including religious ones.
- The religion Jesus founded spoke from within a secular context.
Negatives:
- “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” - Romans 13:1.
- A Secular state could lead to censorship of religious approaches.
- Has led to communism and fascism.
What are some accusations that suggest Christianity is a cause of major conflict?
- Christianity has been the cause of warfare, like during the Crusades.
- Rejects science and holds society back.
- Is patriarchal and oppresses women.
- Has suffered from the child abuse scandal and has not reacted appropriately, suggesting the Church thinks its untouchable.
- Many views on social issues are outdated and isolating.
- Some Christian evangelists preach to earn money only.
- Christians place their trust in a morally ambiguous, dated book which condones things like slavery.
How could one defend Christianity from the argument that it is outdated and harmful?
- They are a community seeking the best way to live, and they aren’t perfect. You can’t judge Jesus against human beings.
- Some might argue that a church united under one denomination would be more harmonious.
- Just because society beings to accept something widely, doesn’t make that thing right, like homosexuality and abortion.
- Christianity has done good, it supports civil rights, education, food banks, charity etc.
Why could secularism and secularisation be opportunities for Christianity?
- Early Christians lived within a state, not opposed to it.
- Secularism might allow the church to come into its own and give Christians more freedom to talk about their beliefs.
- Could be an opportunity to adapt to the modern age and draw in more members.
Why could secularism and secularisation be detrimental to Christianity?
- Christian views might be sidelined.
- Christianity would affect the lives of far fewer people.
- Secularisation would place capitalism, materialism and science at the centre of society which the church would reject.
- The Christian influence would be removed from the House of Lords, which might make it more democratic for us, but less useful for Christianity.
- Secular influences like science, and the rise of extremism, have already pushed people away from organised religion.
Are spiritual values the same as human values?
YES: 2002 Amsterdam Declaration outlines humanist values and many are similar to religious values: ethics, creativity, human rights, social responsibility, rationality etc.
NO: Christian values have an extra, spiritual level to them, and many are contentious (i.e. sanctity of life.) Human values are also subjective and relative.
Why should Christianity be a contributor to society’s culture and values?
- Britain would not be what it is today without Christianity.
- Our artistic heritage owes much to Christianity.
- It can contribute without being dominant in the conversation.
- Christian ethics on a human level are ethics that apply to all, not just Christians.
