Sociology – Paper 4 – Religion: Religion and social order | e-Consult
Paper 4 – Religion: Religion and social order (1 questions)
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Secularisation theory predicts a steady decline in religious belief and practice as societies modernise. Evidence from Western Europe supports this trend:
- Church attendance in the United Kingdom fell from around 30% in the 1960s to less than 10% by the 2020s.
- In France, the proportion of people identifying as non‑religious rose from 30% in the 1970s to over 50% today.
These patterns align with the theory’s emphasis on rationalisation, increased education, and the rise of individualism. However, critics argue that:
- Religion remains culturally significant, evident in the persistence of religious holidays and public debates on moral issues.
- Immigration has introduced vibrant religious communities, partially offsetting declines among native populations.
Thus, while secularisation theory explains broad macro‑level trends, it underestimates the complexity of religious pluralism and the enduring symbolic role of religion in public life.