‘Resacralisation is occurring in many societies.’ Evaluate this view
CAMBRIDGE
A level and AS level
2023
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Introduction
Briefly introduce the concept of resacralisation and the secularisation thesis. State your argument - are we seeing resacralisation or continued secularisation?
Arguments for Resacralisation
Discuss evidence supporting the resurgence of religion:
- Growth of NRMs: Explain the appeal of NRMs and provide examples.
- Rise of Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism: Analyze the reasons behind their growth and cite examples like the US Evangelical movement.
- Increased Interest in Spirituality: Discuss the trend of "seeking" and exploring spirituality outside traditional religions.
- Religion in Public Life: Provide examples of religion's influence on politics (e.g., the USA) and education (e.g., faith schools in the UK).
- Believing Without Belonging: Explain this concept and how it relates to resacralisation.
- Theistic Regimes: Briefly discuss the return of religiously-based governments in some countries.
Arguments Against Resacralisation
Present evidence supporting the continued decline of religion:
- Declining Church Attendance: Provide statistics and discuss the implications for traditional religious institutions.
- Competition from Other Belief Systems: Explain how secular ideologies and alternative spiritualities challenge traditional religion.
- Challenging Religious Authority: Discuss how individuals and societies increasingly question religious doctrines on moral issues.
- Profanity and Heresy: Analyze the implications of increased acceptance of ideas once considered blasphemous.
- Questioning Faith: Discuss the trend of believers becoming more skeptical and less devoted to religious practices.
- Social Pressure vs. Genuine Belief: Explain how outward religious observance might not always reflect genuine belief.
- Difficulties in Measuring Religiosity: Highlight the challenges of quantifying and interpreting data on religious belief.
Evaluation and Conclusion
Critically evaluate both sides of the argument. Consider if resacralisation is a global phenomenon or limited to certain contexts. Offer a nuanced conclusion on the state of religion in contemporary society.
Resacralisation: A Critical Evaluation
The concept of resacralisation, suggesting a renewed significance of religion in contemporary society, has sparked considerable debate among sociologists. While some point to evidence such as the rise of new religious movements and the increasing visibility of religion in public life, others remain unconvinced, highlighting the continuing decline in traditional religious observance and the enduring influence of secularisation. This essay critically examines both sides of this argument, ultimately suggesting that while elements of resacralisation are evident, they do not necessarily signify a complete reversal of secularising trends.
Arguments for Resacralisation
Proponents of resacralisation highlight several trends. Firstly, the growth of new religious movements (NRMs) like Scientology and Hare Krishna, often attracting younger demographics disillusioned with established religions, suggests a continuing search for spiritual meaning. Secondly, the resurgence of fundamentalist movements within major religions, such as Evangelical Christianity in the US, demonstrates a desire for more rigid and traditional forms of faith. This is further supported by the increasing use of social media for religious engagement, particularly among younger generations, indicating that religion is adapting to and thriving in modern contexts.
Furthermore, the concept of "believing without belonging," coined by Davie (2002), argues that traditional measures of religiosity, like church attendance, fail to capture the continued significance of personal faith. People may not actively participate in organised religion but still hold strong spiritual beliefs. This is evidenced by the growing popularity of individualised spiritual practices like meditation and yoga. Additionally, the increasing influence of religion in areas like politics, particularly in the US with the rise of the religious right, and education, with the growth of faith schools, signifies a re-emergence of religion in the public sphere.
Arguments Against Resacralisation
However, the secularisation thesis remains a compelling counterargument. Statistics consistently show declining membership in established religious organisations across the Western world. This, coupled with competition from alternative belief systems like secular humanism and atheism, points towards a general decline in religiosity. Moreover, participation in religious ceremonies, a key indicator of religious commitment, continues to dwindle. This suggests that while people may dabble in spirituality, it does not necessarily translate into active religious participation.
Furthermore, evidence of desacralisation continues to abound. People are increasingly willing to challenge the authority of religious institutions on moral issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. The rise of profanity and blasphemy in popular culture further suggests a decline in the sacred. While some societies might appear more religious due to social pressures to conform, as seen in parts of the Middle East, this outward piety does not necessarily equate to genuine belief.
Finally, measuring religiosity remains a complex task. Statistics on religious affiliation might not accurately reflect the diversity of individual beliefs and practices. It is also crucial to acknowledge that resacralisation is not a monolithic phenomenon and manifests differently across societies and demographics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while evidence of resacralisation exists, it does not necessarily signify a complete reversal of secularisation. The religious landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, with people engaging in a pick-and-mix approach to spirituality. While traditional religious institutions might be losing their grip, the human search for meaning and purpose persists, finding expression in both new and established forms of faith. Ultimately, the debate between resacralisation and secularisation remains nuanced and contested, with neither perspective fully encompassing the complexity of contemporary religious trends.
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Resacralisation in Many Societies: An Evaluation
The claim that resacralisation is occurring in many societies is a subject of ongoing debate within sociology. This essay will evaluate this view, considering both supporting and opposing arguments.
Arguments for Resacralisation
Proponents of resacralisation point to a number of factors, including:
- Growth of new religious movements: The emergence of new religions and spiritual groups suggests an increasing desire for alternative forms of spirituality.
- Increased support for evangelical and fundamentalist religions: The rising popularity of these movements, particularly in the United States, indicates a potential shift towards more traditional and expressive forms of religiosity.
- Growing interest in spirituality: Studies suggest a rising interest in personal spirituality, often independent of traditional religious institutions. This could be interpreted as a reawakening of the sacred.
- Increased involvement of religion in public life: The influence of religion in areas such as politics (e.g., the US) and education (e.g., faith schools in the UK) suggests a greater public acceptance of religious values.
- The idea of 'believing without belonging': While many established religious organisations are experiencing declining membership, the growing phenomenon of individual spiritual exploration, often through social media, supports the idea that a religious revival might be occurring in a less institutionalized form.
- Re-emergence of theistic regimes: The rise of theocratic states like Iran and Afghanistan under the Taliban indicates a resurgence of religion in political power.
Arguments Against Resacralisation
Opponents of the resacralisation thesis argue that evidence points to a continuation of the secularisation process, including:
- Falling membership of religious organisations: The declining membership in traditional religious institutions suggests a decline in religiosity rather than a resurgence.
- Continuing decline in participation in religious ceremonies: The declining number of people attending religious services indicates a loss of traditional religious practices.
- Evidence of desacralisation: Many societies exhibit a growing tendency to challenge the authority of religious institutions on moral issues, suggesting a secularization of values.
- Increased profanity and acceptance of heresy and blasphemy: These trends suggest a decline in the sacredness of religious norms and beliefs.
- Less time devoted to religious activities: Studies indicate that people of faith are engaging in fewer religious activities today, and some are questioning their beliefs.
- Social pressures and conformity: In some societies, religious observance may be driven by social pressures rather than genuine faith, obscuring the true level of religious conviction.
- Difficult to measure religiosity: The difficulty in accurately measuring religiosity makes it challenging to interpret empirical data about the strength of people's beliefs.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding resacralisation highlights the complex nature of modern religiosity. While evidence suggests a growing interest in spirituality and the re-emergence of religious influence in public life, the declining membership of traditional religious organisations and the continued secularization of many aspects of society raise questions about the extent and nature of any potential resacralisation. Further research is needed to understand the diverse and often contradictory trends shaping the relationship between religion and society today.