1. Christianity – Theme 3 – Challenges from Secularisation
By the end of this lesson you will have:
Understood what is meant by secularisation
Considered the challenge of secularisation for Christians in Britain today
Considered whether Christian churches can respond to the problems of secularism

2. Spec Check
AO1
AO2
The conflicting religious and non-religious views on Christianity in the UK (the value of Christian faith schools; whether the UK can be called a Christian country); beliefs conflicting with the laws of the country; perceived challenges to Christianity (decline of role and status of Christianity; reduced impact in public life; restricted religious liberty)
The effectiveness of the Christian response to the challenge of secularism
The extent to which the UK can be called a Christian country

3. Is Britain a Christian Country?
Imagine you are a tourist visiting the UK, which things may you see which make you think that Britain is a Christian country
Write down as many ways in which you can argue that Britain is a Christian country

4. Is Britain a Christian Country?
Did you get….
Cathedrals in every major city
Churches in every village
A mixture of catholic and protestant churches
Royal family are the head of the state and head of the Church
Britain’s geography is divided into parishes
Christian schools
There are Bishops in the house of lords
Major British novels are based on Christian story (chonicles of Narnia / lord of the rings)
Songs of praise on TV and thought for the day on the radio

5. Is Britain a Christian Country?
However, has the tourist been misled?
How many people are actually attending services in the Churches?
How many students at the Christian schools are Christian?

6. Is Britain a Christian Country?
54% of the population affiliate with Christianity on 2011 census
15% of the population go to church
Church of England attendance is less than 2% of the population
The population is becoming increasingly ‘spiritual’ but less ‘Christian’
Linda Woodhead conducted surveys to establish the rising nature of ‘no religion’ in the UK. She discovered that this is growing amongst young people. She also noted that this isn’t a rise in ‘anti-religion’, simply no-religion

7. Is Britain a Christian Country?
Use page 77 of your workbook to make a table with 1 column listing reasons why Britain IS seen as a Christian country and 1 column listing reasons why it isn’t

8. The Value of Christian Schools in the UK
With your partner, one needs to argue for the value of Christian faith schools and one against.
Help each other complete a ‘for and against’ table using pages 78 and 79 to help you

9. The Value of Christian Schools in the UK
VALUE for Christian Faith Schools
NO value of Christian Faith Schools
All faith schools must follow national curriculum
Governors recruit as opposed to the local authority – meaning it can be exclusive (i.e. you must be religious to do the job)
Faith schools have funding from both state and church
Some families only attend church to get their children into school
They meet the need of religious parents
R.E is not inspected by OFSTED like other subjects
They add diversity and choice to education
Is it indoctrination?
They foster good values which are appreciated by religious and non-religious parents alike
Certain issues may not be explored properly i.e. contraception/abortion
Some faith schools go against scientific discovery i.e evolution

10. Beliefs Conflicting with the Laws of the country
As the UK is historically a Christian country, there aren’t as many tensions between law and religion as there may be with other religions
This advert for the Church Of England was banned from being shown at cinemas in case it offended people of ‘differing faiths and none’.
Were Digital Cinema Media company right to ban the advert?
The Equality and Human Rights Commission did not think the advert should have been banned stating that there is nothing in law which prevents a religion from promoting themselves through adverts

11. Beliefs Conflicting with the Laws of the country
Should it be illegal to wear a crucifix?
In 2006, British Airways suspended a worker for refusing to cover up her crucifix, despite other workers being allowed to wear a Hijab or a Turban.
Ms Eweida consequently took BA to court on the grounds of religious discrimination. She took her case to the European Court of Human Rights and won.

12. Beliefs Conflicting with the Laws of the country
However, there are cases where British Christians have lost their cases:
Shirley Chaplin, a nurse, was not allowed to wear her cross at work in case it spread disease
Gary McFarlane, a marriage counsellor, was dismissed for saying he might object to same sex marriage counselling
Lillian Ladele, a registrar, was disciplined after she refused to conduct same-sex civil partnerships

13. Secularisation as a challenge to Christianity in the UK
Secularisation = is the transformation of a society from close identification and affiliation with religious values and institutions toward nonreligious values and secular institutions
Many are committed to a secular ideal – they see religion as associated with violence, control and repression. Secularists assume that a country can’t be modern and religious
Denmark is one of the most secular countries in Europe – yet they remain culturally Christian – Wives of Copenhagen
Do you agree with a secularist viewpoint?

14. Secularisation as a challenge to Christianity in the UK
However, many people question the rise of secularism
Is modern science always reliable / ethical? – Black Mirror Trailer
They suggest there is a false dichotomy between science and religion
Moreover, what’s not to say people choose to be religious?
Religion has also helped to bring about a lot of positive social change – street pastors UK

15. Consolidation Task – Give me 5!
Make 5 key bullet points for the following:
Is Britain Christian?
The decline of Christianity
The meaning of ‘no religion’
The value of Christian faith schools
Objection to faith schools
Banning Christian adverts
The case of the crucifix
Challenge of secularism