Sociology · Year 13 · Beliefs in Society · 4.º Período

Secularisation and Religious Diversity

Students will evaluate the secularisation thesis and examine the changing nature of religious participation in the UK and globally. The rise of new religious movements and New Age spirituality will be assessed.

TL;DR:The final topic in the beliefs unit asks: is religion dying out? Students evaluate the 'secularisation thesis', the idea that science and modernity are making religion less important. They will look at data on church attendance in the UK and compare it to the 'religious market' in the USA and the rise of New Age spirituality.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• AQA A-level Sociology 4.2.8.5
• AQA A-level Sociology 4.2.8.6

About This Topic

The final topic in the beliefs unit asks: is religion dying out? Students evaluate the 'secularisation thesis', the idea that science and modernity are making religion less important. They will look at data on church attendance in the UK and compare it to the 'religious market' in the USA and the rise of New Age spirituality.

Students will also explore why certain groups (women, ethnic minorities, the elderly) remain more religious than others. They will evaluate whether religion is 'declining' or simply 'changing its shape' (e.g., 'believing without belonging'). This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of religious diversity in their own communities.

Key Questions

1. Is the UK experiencing a decline in religious belief and practice?
2. Why are women generally more religious than men?
3. What explains the growth of sects and cults in contemporary society?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Secularisation means everyone is becoming an atheist.

What to Teach Instead

It refers to the declining influence of religious *institutions* on society. A 'levels of secularisation' chart helps students distinguish between personal belief and social power.

Common Misconception

New Age spirituality is just a 'fad'.

What to Teach Instead

Sociologists see it as a significant shift toward 'individualised' religion. A 'spiritual market' activity helps students see how these movements cater to modern needs for self-discovery.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk

The Changing Face of Faith

Display images of traditional churches, New Age shops, and 'online' religious services. Students must find evidence for both secularisation and religious renewal.

30 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share

Believing without Belonging

Students discuss whether they or people they know have spiritual beliefs but don't go to church. They pair up to evaluate Davie's theory that religion is becoming more private.

20 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle

The Gender Gap

Groups are given different theories for why women are more religious (e.g., socialisation, risk, clock-time). They must find evidence to support or challenge their assigned theory.

35 min·Small Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the secularisation thesis?

The argument that as societies become more modern, scientific, and rational, religious belief, practice, and the power of religious institutions will inevitably decline.

What does 'believing without belonging' mean?

Grace Davie's idea that people still hold religious or spiritual beliefs even if they no longer attend formal church services or belong to a religious organisation.

Why are ethnic minorities often more religious in the UK?

Sociologists suggest 'cultural defence' (using religion to protect identity in a new country) and 'cultural transition' (using religion as a support network during migration).

How can active learning help students understand secularisation and diversity?

By conducting their own 'mini-census' of local religious buildings or debating the 'spiritual' nature of modern life, students can see that the 'death of religion' is much more complex than a simple decline in church attendance.