Christianity and the challenge of secularisation

• 10 marker – Info on Britain as secular society


  .-        in pre-reformation Europe peoples lives were controlled by the church- even in Tudor times the monarch dictated the religion that all had to follow

  -        when people were able to study the bible themselves religion became more personal- not just imposed by an authority

  -        in 18the century with emphasis on reason and scientific thought a more individualistic approach to religion was encouraged
• 10 marker – Info on the replacement of religion as the source of truth and moral values-


  .-        the development of social sciences weakened morality and the links with religion

  -        Marx regarded religious views on morality as a social/political tool used by those in power to control the masses

  -        Freud claimed it satisfied a psychological need

  -        modern secular humanism- people can lead morally good lives without religion
• 10 marker – Info on regulation of religion to personal sphere


  .-        increasing secularization means that religion is seen as a personal and private matter- less pressure

  -        Christianity still plays role in Britain- Code is established church- national anthem
• 10 marker – Info on response to materialistic secular values

  .-     expansion of British power created trading opportunities and led to development of capitalism- this was reinforced in industrial revolution- great wealth created by banking and trading while great poverty for families who went to cities to work in factories

  -        materialism is seen at every level of British society now- the wealthy see well-being as dependent on obtaining more wealth-poor see gaining money as key to happiness- material possessions seen more important than spiritual qualities
• 10 marker – Info on NT attitudes to wealth and possessions


  .-        Jesus told a rich man if he wanted eternal life he must give all he has to poor (Mark)

  -        his parable of the rich man and Lazarus- warned of consequences of enjoying wealth and ignoring the poor

  -        Jesus didn’t condemn wealth itself but the attachment to it- Zacchaeus would still be wealthy after giving away some money but Jesus said he was saved
• 10 marker – Info on the relationship between Christian belief and wealth in modern society-


  .-        some Christians have adopted Jesus’ teachings and way of living- the bridehood live in communities without any personal property and make vows to live simply and condemn materialism

  -        other people have positive attitudes to materialism and follow 'the prosperity gospel' and believe Christian beliefs are rewarded by god through material prosperity

  -        mainstream Christians believe there is nothing wrong with wealth but you should use it to help others
• 10 marker – Info on Richard Dawkins- the god delusion


  .-        believes the god hypothesis (belief in god) is irrational and religion is primitive harmful and has spread like a virus

  -        religion encourages discrimination and is a major cause of conflict- teaching it to children is a form of mental abuse

  -        people can be morally good without religion
• 10 marker – Info on McGraths defense of Christianity: the Dawkins delusion


  .-        Dawkins is wrong in assumption that good science is bound to a result to atheism- many religious scientists

  -        challenges view that science disproves religion- claims that they overlap and come at the world from two different but equally valid perspectives

  -        criticizes Dawkins assumption that all Christians hold fundamental view of Bible

  -        accuses Dawkins of fundamentalism in his unquestioning acceptance of atheist views

  emergence of new forms of Christian expression
• 10 marker – Info on Fresh perspectives


  .-        movement has evangelical aim to share Christian message without traditional extremes

  -        it shares with those with no contact with church communities what it means to live in a secular society- listen to life experiences of ordinary people and explain how Jesus may add value to those experiences
• 10 marker – Info on The House Church movement


  .-        in early days of church Christians met in private homes- this replicates that

  -        a movement away from meeting in conventional church buildings with all formality of worship associated with them

  -        the movement often fundamentalist view of bible- focus on individual experiences of god calling them to Christianity
• 10 marker – Info on Christianity continuing relevance to a secular society-


  .-        it times of major disaster people find comfort from church for their grief

  -        locally-church plays role in helping local communities come to terms with tragedy
• 10 marker – Info on liberalist approaches: supporting the poor and defending the oppressed central and southern America


  .-        extreme poverty caused by political corruption elicited 2 approaches to the problem

  o   some leaders of Catholic church advocated a non-violent/confrontational response

  o   other leaders of Catholic church joined forces with secular protests groups in order to force change- liberationist approach- some saw violence as only way to remove corruption – archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated for his criticism of government oppression of the poor in El Salvador