The secularisation debate — common mistakes

In essays, clearly define secularisation at the start. Distinguish between the decline in religious belief, practice, and institutional power, as sociologists debate whether all three are declining at the same rate.

Use specific evidence in your answers. For example, you could mention that less than 2% of the UK population regularly attended Church of England services by the 2010s, a significant drop from previous decades.

Evaluation is key. Use counter-arguments like 'believing without belonging' to directly challenge the evidence for secularisation. Explain how it challenges the thesis, rather than just stating it.

Broaden your analysis beyond the UK. Use examples like the USA or the growth of Pentecostalism in South America and Africa to argue that secularisation is not a universal process.

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.

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.

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.