1. The case against secularisation

2. Different evidence
• Resacrilisation (linked to sects/NAMs etc)
• Individuation
• Rise of fundamentalism
• Cultural defence

3. Resacrilisation
Traditional religions maybe declining but other
religions are growing.
Resacrilisation is a ‘renewal or continuing vitality
of religious beliefs’ (Greeley, 1972).

4. Resacrilisation
Heelas
- People are shifting from traditional religion to
a more individualistic spirituality centred on
the self.
- (see NAMs – self improvement)
- People are blending ‘hybrids’ (postmodernity)
of religions to suit their own needs.

5. Brierley (2005)
• Sects have been rising from 2.4% in 2000 to
3.1% in 2010
• Statistically that’s a healthy jump!

6. Evaluation
Glendinning & Bruce
 Question Heelas’s data.
 Only 1 in 50 people in the Kendal area were
engaged with NAMs in a typical week.
 Only half of that figure saw these activities as
spiritual.

7. Wilson
• Sees sects etc as ‘irrelevant’
• Members are in their own little enclosed worlds
• Mainly appeal to drop outs or damaged people.
• These religions have very little impact on their
everyday lives as religions proper would do, ie)
moral guidance
Berger
• Sects are ‘islands in a secular sea’

8. 2. Individuation
Davie
• Believing without belonging
• Privatised worship
• The rise of ‘vicarious religion’ – people
experience second hand religion at baptisms
etc

9. Evaluation
Voas & Crockett
• Use social trends data to show that since 1983
there has been a decline in attending and
believing.
Bruce
• If people are not investing effort in attending
then this represents a lack of commitment
and a decline in strength of belief.

10. 3. Growth of Fundamentalism
Many parts of the world have seen a revival of fundamentalist
ideas.
They are committed to religious laws.
Almond
Rise of Fundamentalism amongst:
• Jews in Israel.
• Muslims in Pakistan/Palestine/Egypt/former Soviet Union
• Sikhs and Hindus in India
• Christians in USA
• Buddhists in Sri Lanka

11. Roof & McKinney
• New Right (USA) – conservative Protestants
• High church attendance/strong morality

12. Evaluation
Bruce
• Sees New Christian Right have only slowed
down secularisation in USA.
• These groups only appear significant because
they are ‘unusual’ – they stand out in a secular
world.

13. 4. Cultural Defence & Transition
Bruce
• Identifies 2 trends that go against
secularisation – these are linked to
high levels of religiosity.
• Cultural defence (religion is a focal point for the
defence of identities against threats)
eg) Catholicism in Poland/Islam in Iran 1979.
• Cultural transition (religion provides support and sense
of community)
eg) immigration to new country
(this can be linked to Herberg – Protestant, Catholic, Jew)

14. Evaluation
Bruce
• Religion only survives in these situations
because it as a focal point for IDENTITY..not
spirituality.
• Religion will survive where it performs this
function..not because of a belief in faith
(hence it does not really prove secularisation
isn’t happening).

15. task
Assess the arguments for and against the claim
that contemporary societies are becoming
more secular (33 marks)
• Use the material in this ppt to plan the case
AGAINST secularisation.
• How would you use it?