Is secularisation occurring? A2 sociology essay plan. Beliefs.

The process whereby religious institutions, beliefs and practices lose their social significance

In 1851 it is estimated that 40% of adults attended church on Sundays

Found in 2005 that only 6.3% of the adult population attended church on sundays

To make something measurable

Found that attendance and membership of large organisations such as the Catholic Church and the Church of England have declined

Believing without belonging / people can make the personal choice not to attend church but retain their faith

In Canada 25% of Canadians attended regularly but 80% said they had religious beliefs and turned to religion for rites of passage

Spiritual shopping + personal choice: pilgrims and converts

Religious diversity and choice erodes absolutism. In 1924 94% of young people agreed with the statement \"Christianity is the one true religion.\" By 1977 only 41 percent agreed

Spiritual Revolution rise of new age beliefs and a decline in traditional christianity. Identify two groups: the congregational domain (traditional Christianity) and the Holistic Milieu (spirituality and new age beliefs)

Religious market theory. People are naturally religious and the overall demand for religion remains constant. Marketisation of religion, competing for customers increases quality of religion. Places where one religion has a monopoly encourages a decline in standards and therefore a decline in religious believers. It is human nature to seek out rewards and avoid costs. Religion provides compensators.

Disenchantment and Rationalisation. // The God of the gap was more prevalent in older times but now scientific discoveries are beginning to fill those gaps in knowledge instead the devine fallacy loses influence as people no longer have to look to God for answers

Rejects religious market theory as it only applies to the USA and it fails to explain the variations of religiosity between different societies

Religious Market Theory fails to explain how people are naturally religious

Re-enchantment is occurring due to a growth in spirituality and unconventional beliefs

Jesus in disneyland: growth of consumerism means that religion is now a product found in wider society and is relocating from churches to the internet and television. Televangelism enables people to express their faith without attending Church

Church attendance in 2016