7.4.3

Secularisation US

Test yourself

Secularisation in the US

Hadaway et al. and Bruce argue that secularisation is occurring in America.

Illustrative background for Secularisation in the USIllustrative background for Secularisation in the US ?? "content

Secularisation in the US

  • 40% of Americans claim they attend church. 
  • However, Hadaway et al.  found that this is not the case.
  • Instead they found that whilst many people stated they went to church, churches had much lower attendances than expected.  
Illustrative background for Secularisation from within  Illustrative background for Secularisation from within   ?? "content

Secularisation from within 

  • Bruce argues that religion in America has become ‘secularised from within’.
  • He argues that the Christian Churches have had to compromise their beliefs in order to remain popular amongst believers.
  • Bruce claims that contemporary Christianity in America is more about personal development rather than traditional beliefs.

Against Secularisation in the US

Stark and Bainbridge argue that the study of secularisation is ‘Eurocentric’ and does not apply to Europe and America in the same ways.

Illustrative background for Existential security theoryIllustrative background for Existential security theory ?? "content

Existential security theory

  • Norris and Inglehart believe that Americans are more likely to be genuinely religious than European nations like the UK. 
  • They suggest that Americans have less support from the welfare state and lack access to effective free health care which may make them feel less secure in their chances for survival. 
Illustrative background for __Norris and Inglehart__Illustrative background for __Norris and Inglehart__ ?? "content

Norris and Inglehart

  • Therefore American citizens may have more need for religion than their European counterparts who benefit from more substantial and generous welfare systems.
Illustrative background for Religious market theoryIllustrative background for Religious market theory ?? "content

Religious market theory

  • Stark and Bainbridge suggest that people are naturally religious and therefore there will always be a demand for some form of religion.
  • They also believe that all humans want big rewards for the smallest costs, so humans will make rational decisions about what benefits them the most. 
Illustrative background for __Stark and Bainbridge__Illustrative background for __Stark and Bainbridge__ ?? "content

Stark and Bainbridge

  • Religion is unique because it can continue to provide supernatural rewards for people that other institutions cannot. 
  • Believing in religion has a small cost and barely any risk, yet it promises the possibility of great rewards.
Illustrative background for EurocentricIllustrative background for Eurocentric ?? "content

Eurocentric

  • Stark and Bainbridge argue that the study of secularisation is ‘Eurocentric’.
  • They criticise secularisation theorists for fooling people into believing that there was a ‘golden age’ of religion in the past and that this has since declined.
Illustrative background for Secularisation cycles Illustrative background for Secularisation cycles  ?? "content

Secularisation cycles 

  • Instead, Stark and Bainbridge believe that religious belief tends to flow through cycles, known as secularisation cycles where periods of secularisation are only temporary before religious revivals occur due to the creation of new religious and New Age movements. 

Jump to other topics

1Theory & Methods

2Education with Methods in Context

3Option 1: Culture & Identity

4Option 1: Families & Households

5Option 1: Health

6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare

7Option 2: Beliefs in Society

8Option 2: Global Development

9Option 2: The Media

10Crime & Deviance

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson