secularisation

• Secularization


  The process by which society becomes less religious and more focused on rational and scientific thinking
• Secularization is largely associated with the western world and the period of modernity
• Secularization can be traced back to the Enlightenment and accelerated throughout the period from the industrial revolution onwards
• Not all sociologists agree that society is becoming more secular in a global context
• Reasons for secularization in western society

  • Movement towards rational and scientific thinking (Max Weber)
  • Declining influence of the church (Brian Wilson)
  • Structural differentiation leading to changes in beliefs (Talcott Parsons)
  • Growth of individualism and technology (Steve Bruce)
• Max Weber's argument


  Changes in wider society such as industrialization led to religion having less influence as society leaned more heavily on science and technological advancements
• Protestantism


  The first sign of disenchantment as it removed many of the mystical qualities of God, with individuals displaying virtue and worthiness through their own characteristics
• Brian Wilson's examination


  Declining influence of the church in guiding moral principles of individuals as social attitudes changed rapidly and religion failed to provide answers
• Talcott Parsons' views


  The process of secularization was an adaptation to structural differentiation as many of the functions of religion were replaced by other institutions
• Steve Bruce's argument


  The growth of individualism and the movement from collectivist to individualistic ideas led to the privatization of religion, with individuals holding religious beliefs but not practicing them in public
• There is a long-term decline in attendance at religious ceremonies and rituals, particularly in western Europe, which can be seen as evidence of the views of Wilson, Parsons and Weber
• Globalization has seen some argue that there's been a renewal of faith particularly outside of Europe, while the impacts of globalization have brought new forms of spirituality to the attention of the western world offering alternatives to more traditional religions