What is secularisation?

• What is secularisation?

  The principle of separation of the state from religious institutions / the decline of religion in a country
• Who challenged the influence of the Church in society?

  Nietzsche said that 'God is dead'. He was referring to the idea of God. After the enlightenment, the idea of a universe governed by physical laws was now reality. Europe no longer needed God as the source for morality, value or order as philosophy and science were capable of doing that for us.
• Which areas of public life have the Church impacted or continue to impact over the years?

  Laws, poor relief, coronation, faith schools, hospitals, holidays are based on the Christian calendar, burial rights, House of Lords, monarchy
• How has belief in God declined?

  Within 2 years those who follow Christianity dropped by 13%
• What is the history of religion as the source of moral values?

  - Aquinas NML acted as a guide

  - Protestant reformation saw the sole authority of scripture

  - 17th and 18th saw the rise of scientific thinking
• What are the two ways in which religion is increasingly being seen as an exclusively personal matter?

  1. The number of people who choose not to belong to any religion is rising

  2. Those within a religious tradition may insist that it is not enough simply to attend worship, or to accept nominal membership through baptism
• Why would one see evangelism as immoral?

  Religion is relegated to the personal sphere so it is entirely a matter of personal choice and conviction
• How would Christians defend their faith?

  Preserving church buildings and cathedrals or having Christian ceremonies for state occasions contributes culture
• How does religion still belong to the public sphere?

  The Church of England remains the established religion in England. Civic occasions such as remembering those killed in war are still mainly religious