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Religious Pluralism – evidence for the argument that society is becoming more secular.
Bryan Wilson highlights how historically, religions were monolithic (i.e. there existed one dominant faith). The wide range of religions in modern society mean that religion has lost its power and religious influence has become weaker. (E.g. Church of England co-exists with other religions in the same society. Therefore, religious beliefs have been ‘diluted’ as a result of the sheer number of religions offering competing views. Their influence has declined and this is evident when we consider church attendance figures.)
Peter Berger notes that “religious institutions have become marketing agencies”. In other words, religious pluralism has brought us to an era of the ‘cashpoint religion’, where members of society merely ‘pick and mix’ their preferred beliefs. It can be argued that this is evidence of secularisation, as we now shape religious beliefs to our own taste, rather than the religious beliefs shaping us as they did in the past. If the term secularisation is interpreted as ‘a decline of previously accepted symbols, doctrines and institutions’ as Shiner pointed out, then indeed, religious pluralism has contributed to secularisation, as symbols/doctrines that were previously accepted are now not, as there are new/different doctrines on offer.
Bryan Wilson believes that sects are the result of an increase in secularisation. In a non religious society, the only way to have a truly religious experience is by isolating oneself from the secular world (i.e. by joining a sect). This supports the idea that religious pluralism is an indicator of a secular society, because if society was not secular and more religious, we would not need sects.
Roof & McKinney argue that “religion has lost its force as an integrative influence. They suggest that because people have the choice of religions, they also have an increased freedom NOT to choose any religion, and this results in a secular society.
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- Suitable for: OCR A2 Sociology
- Written by: 8owman
- From this thread.
