Evaluate the secularization thesis.

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Evaluate the secularization thesis

Secularization as defined in the Oxford dictionary of Sociology (Marshall G, 1998) is the process whereby, especially in modern industrial societies, religious beliefs, practices, and institutions lose social significance. The secularization thesis argues that this has occurred in modern societies, due to a number of factors. This essay will assess whether this theory has value. I will present the main definitions of religion and the contrasting points of view, as the meaning of religion and both sides of the secularization thesis have to be understood in order to evaluate it.

To be able to comprehend the secularization thesis, religion must, first of all, be defined. There are two main approaches that have been presented by sociologists, the functional and substantive definitions (Haralambos and Holborn, 2000). The functional definition relates to the purposes of religion – what it does. It states that one of these purposes may be to ‘provide solutions to ultimate problems’ (Bruce, 1996). Religion can also provide guidelines for how to behave according to the functional definition, which in turn contributes to social order and stability. The substantive definition sees religion as what it is rather than what it does. So religion could be explained in the following way according to the substantive definition: beliefs and actions, which involve Gods and other supernatural beings (Jorgensen et al, 1997)

It is felt that there are problems with these meanings. Firstly, the functional definition could be seen as defining religion as an umbrella term. For it includes belief systems

which some might not view as a religion, for example nationalism could be seen as a religion under the functional definition as it offers answers to fundamental questions

(one of the purposes of religion). Secondly, it becomes difficult to say what an ‘ultimate problem’ is in different societies, what is an ultimate problem in one part of the world may not be in another. It is also felt there are problems with the substantive definition. The supernatural is mentioned in this meaning so it excludes religions that do not believe in the supernatural, Buddhism being an example of this. The substantive definition could also be seen as having a Western slant; most Western religions have a God and a belief in the supernatural.  This approach can cause difficulties when it comes to identifying those belief systems, in other parts of the world, that do not have a god or a belief in the supernatural as religions.

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Proponents of the secularization thesis argue that a change in society has occurred due to modernity and this social change has led to a change in religion resulting in secularization. Pre-modernity, religion namely Christianity was a dominant force and it pervaded all parts of society. All knowledge of the world came from religion and an individual’s life was marked by religious events. The Reformation marked a change in the dominant religious tradition in Europe and paved the way for modernity (Bruce, 1996). Science and industrialisation, which were factors in modernity, were also said to add to the decline of ...

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