Against Secularisation
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 7.4.2
Explanations Against Secularisation in the UK
Davie argues that the true extent of religious belief can be seen when ‘interruptions to normality’ occur. Helland discusses the importance of globalisation and the media in shaping religious engagement.
1. ‘Believe without belonging’
- Davie argues that ‘vicarious religion’ is now the norm; the majority choose not to go to church but still associate themselves to the beliefs of the religion.
- Instead, it is the role of the ‘active minority’ to pray on the behalf of the rest of the wider religious community.
Davie
- However she argues that the true extent of religious belief can be seen when ‘interruptions to normality’ occur.
- For example a natural disaster often causes church attendance spikes for a short period of time.
Explanations Against Secularisation in the UK
Davie argues that the true extent of religious belief can be seen when ‘interruptions to normality’ occur. Helland discusses the importance of globalisation and the media in shaping religious engagement.
2. Online religion
- Helland discusses the importance of globalisation and the media in shaping the way that the public engage with religion. - The growth of the internet has altered the way in which the public can interact with the religious community.
- Therefore religious beliefs are becoming removed from places of worship and transported to a digital space online.
Helland
- Helland discusses two different ways in which people engage with religion on the internet.
Religion online
- Religion online:
- When established religious movements use the internet to communicate messages to their followers.
Online religion
- Online religion:
- Where like-minded people can interact in forums to discuss their beliefs in an unstructured format.
- They may create online communities that do not exist in the real world.
Test yourself on Against Secularisation
What example does Davie give that causes church attendance spikes for a short period of time?
What three things does Helland believe now shapes religious interactions?