Having examined arguments about the role of religion and how far it encourages or inhibits social change, we now look at arguments and evidence about the extent to which religion has declined.

 

Secularisation refers to the decline in the importance of religion. There is much disagreement among sociologists about whether or how much religion has declined.

 

This topic looks into:

 

• Considering the arguments and evidence put forward by sociologists who support the theory of secularisation

• Look at how secularisation theory has been applied to the UK and the USA

• Examine the claim that a spiritual revolution is taking place, contrary to the downward trend in religion predicted by secularisation theory.