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| Question | Answer |
| Intro | Wilson 'decline in religious thinking, practice and institutions' Depends on definition of religion |
| Religious Thinking | Bruce- growth of scientific explanation Weber-rationalisation(disenchantment) |
| Religious Thinking Evaluation | Postmodernists-mistrust of science/return to religion Many people are still religious (70%) Bruce- halfway house |
| Religious Practice | Bruce-statistics are an important objective measurement 1851-40% 2015-2% Attendance at ceremonies in decline Catholic church in decline(controversial opinions) |
| Religious Practice Evaluation | Hammond- church attendance and religious belief cannot be equated Self-declared Christians Davie- believe without belonging Luckmann- Privatised worship Meaning and Validity Glasner- inaccuracies(Victorian) |
| Religious Institution | Bruce-disengagement is evidence of secularisation Church has less influence over social, political and economic areas of life Ceremonies can now be performed anywhere |
| Religious Practice Evaluation | Martin- religion still has a strong influence Monolithic countries Religious education and worship is a legal requirement in schools |
| Is Secularisation happening everywhere? | NO Low attendance in the UK but in monolithic countries there is still high attendance rates |
| TWO MAIN THEORIES to explain secularisation in some countries and not others | Rational Choice Theory-Stark and Bainbridge, cost/benefit analysis (USA) Existential Security Theory-Norris and Inglehart, Low existential security = more religiosity(USA IS AN ANOMALY) |
| Conclusion | Difficult to prove or disprove secularisation; different definitions(e.g. Wilson and Bruce) Glock and Start-defining RELIGION is the issue Exclusive V Inclusive Luckmann 'invisible religion' Shiner concludes: 'secularisation is a difficult term to define and sociologists should be carefu in using it'. |