Secularisation in America

HADAWAY ET AL:

• Opinion poll research suggests church attendance has been stable for 40% of population since 1940.
• However, figure does not match Churches' own attendance statistics.
• Research in Ohio showed claimed attendance was 83% higher than estimated nationally.
• This exaggeration is a recent trend since the 70s.
• Opinion polls have masked a decline in church attendance in the USA.
• It is still seen as socially desirable to attend church.

BRUCE:

• Religion in America has adapted to the modern world by becoming secular from within.
• Emphasis on traditional Christian beliefs has declined.
• Religion has become more psychologised and become a form of therapy.
• The change has enabled it to fit with a secular society.
• American religion has remained popular by becoming less religious.
• Purpose of religioon had changed from seeking salvation to personal improvement.
• Lack of committment to traditional beliefs can be seen in attitudes and lifestyles.

BRUCE:

• Growth of religious diversity has led to churchgoers becoming less dogmatic in their views.
• There has been a trend towards practical relativism.
  • American Christians accepting that beliefs are now varied.
• Counter part to relativism is the erosion of absolutism.
  • Variation of interpretation of truth undermines the idea that our own view is absolute truth.
• Religious diversity generate competition and encourages religious groups to actively recruit new members counteracting secularisation.

• Religion is not declining but changing form.
• Secularisation theory focuses on decline and ignore revival and growth of new religions.
• Ignores people who believe but do not attend church.
• Secularisation is not globally universal.
• The past was not a golden age of religion and the future will not be an age of atheism.
• Religious diversity increases participation as it increases choice.
• There is no overall downward trend.