Asses the View That Secularisation Has Been a Feature only of Modern European Societies

On one hand, some would argue that modern European societies are becoming more secular since the world is becoming increasingly globalised and modernised, leaving religion less significant. Alternatives to religion like science and technology offer explanations to questions that years ago only individuals would turn to religion for answers however since scientific theories can be validly accurate more people favour it. However on the other hand it could be argued that non European countries experience secularisation also.

In Western Europe the trend shows how secularisation is increasing. Norris and Inglehart argue that this is not surprising because these societies are the most equal and secure with well developed welfare state, reducing poverty and protecting the lower classes from insecurity. Whereas in other non European countries such as the USA people are more religious . Norris and Inglehart argue this is because the USA is the most unequal of rich societies with poor welfare provision which creates high levels of poverty and insecurity creating a demand for religion. However Vasquez (2007) criticises Norris and Inglehart commenting that they ignore the positive reasons people have for religious participation and the appeal that some types of religion have for the wealthy.

However, in 1962 Wilson found that 45% of Americans attended church on Sundays. He argued that going to church in America was more of an American way of life rather than expressing religious beliefs. Wilson claimed that America was a secular society, not because people had abandoned churches, but because religion had become apparent.

There has been a decline in membership in all major christian foundations. Church membership in the UK has declined by 40% from 1851 - 2007 which is an example of how societies are becoming more secular. However Bellah (1976) claimed that declining church attendance does not necessarily mean decline in belief and there has been a shift from public to private worship. Backed up by Davies (2002) people are becoming unchurched as technology has taken over and more people are able to worship from home through religious channels. However this theory has been criticised