1. SO1506 Introduction to Sociology 2 Prof. David Inglis

2. RELIGION IN MODERN BRITAIN Do we live in a secular society? - Is Christianity increasingly unimportant and irrelevant? - What do people believe in? - What might be replacing Christianity? - Is this society WHOLLY secular, or not?

3. Cant cover everything Focus on the UK Relevant to other north- west European countries e.g. Germany, Scandinavia Different situations in other parts of the world (e.g. USA)

4. The Secular Society? 1) What is religion? 2) What is secularisation? 3) Religion in the medieval world 4) Challenges to the Catholic Church 5) Measuring secularisation

5. WHAT IS RELIGION? a social institution involving beliefs and practices based upon a conception of the sacred (Macionis and Plummer) SACRED versus PROFANE (Spiritual / special versus common & everyday)

6. WHAT IS SECULARISATIO N? the historical decline in the importance of the supernatural and the sacred (Macionis and Plummer) Religion less important in peoples lives: 1) religious ideas - 2) religious authorities - e.g. priests

7. Religion in the medieval world Catholic Church: 1) Ideological Role 2) Political Role 3) Welfare Role

8. Challenges to the Catholic Church 1) Rise of Protestantism - 16th century - Northern Europe - New ways of worshipping - Monopoly on belief destroyed

9. Challenges to the Catholic Church II 2) The rise of science - Faith versus tests & experiments - God versus Nature - Culture of rational thought - Culture of scepticism

10. Mid-19th century: Charles Darwin Man created by God OR Man evolved from apes Religion only one way of thinking New ways of explaining the world

11. Challenges to the Catholic Church III 3) The rise of capitalism - revolutionises society - the search for profits - money is everything - money replaces God Karl Marx

12. MEASURING SECULARISATION Decline in: 1) Influence in society of religious institutions 2) Number of people involved with churches (membership / attendance / personnel) 3) Popularity & impact of religious beliefs

13. 1) Influence of religious institutions a) From Church to Churches - competition for influence - free market in beliefs b) Religion and politics separate - the State becomes secular c) Religion and welfare separate - State takes over welfare roles

14. Church membership Church of England: 1900: 13.5% of English people are members 1990: 3.9 % n 2) Number of people involved with churches Figures from Steve Bruce, Religion in Modern Britain

15. Number of people involved with churches II Church attendance All Christian churches in England & Wales: 1851: 50% of adults attend at least once a week 1990: less than 10%

16. Number of people involved with churches III Personnel Church of England: 1900:20,000 priests 198410,000 priests

17. 3) Popularity and impact of religious beliefs Much less important than 100 years ago? Important events in life: 1990: 1 in 3 English couples married in Church 1993: 30% of children born in England baptised by Church of England

18. Individuals beliefs: religiosity Around 75% of people in UK believe in some sort of supernatural power Only about 4% are atheists Popularity and impact of religious beliefs II