Question 1

Is secularisation just another word for atheism?

Accepted Answer

No. Atheism is the active disbelief in God or gods. Secularisation is a sociological process referring to the declining social significance of religion. A secularised society is not necessarily atheist; rather, it is one where religion has lost its influence over public life and institutions, and may have become a privatised matter of individual choice.

Question 2

Does the growth of New Religious Movements (NRMs) disprove the secularisation thesis?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily, but it does complicate it. Proponents of secularisation, like Steve Bruce, argue that the growth in NRMs is insignificant compared to the large-scale loss of followers from major established churches. He argues they are a marginal feature of a secularising society. However, critics argue it shows a shift in the nature of belief (resacralisation) rather than a simple decline, indicating continued spiritual interest.

Question 3

Is secularisation happening everywhere in the world?

Accepted Answer

No, the evidence suggests it is not a universal process. While there is strong evidence for secularisation in many Western European countries, the United States remains highly religious, a phenomenon known as 'American exceptionalism'. Furthermore, many parts of Africa, Asia, and South America are experiencing significant religious growth, particularly in Pentecostal and Islamic faiths. This makes the original secularisation thesis appear Eurocentric.

The secularisation debate

What you need to know

The secularisation debate