Challenges To Secularisation (Theme 3)

Question 1

What percentage of people in England and Wales identify as Christian and ‘No Religion’ in the 2021 Census?

Answer 1

46.2% of people described themselves as a Christian

37.2% of people described themselves as having ‘no religion’

Question 2

How many people in Wales alone identify as Christian and ‘no religion’?

Answer 2

43.6% identify as Christian

46.5% identify as having ‘no religion’

Question 3

What percentage of Primary and Secondary Schools have Christian affiliation?

Answer 3

37% of Primary Schools have Christian affiliation

17% of Secondary School have Christian affiliation

Question 4

How have Christian rites declined?

Answer 4

The rites of Christianity are no longer a norm and are now quite rare

In the 1950’s 67% of the population were Baptised in England and Wales. This fell to 12% in 2011.

In 1957 72% of Marriages were conducted in Churches. This is not less than 36.3% in 2000

Question 5

How is the UK a Christian Country?

Answer 5

• Numbers are growing at Cathedrals
• Rare to never have a religious event in a persons lifetime
• Christian presence is seen through Chaplains
• There are many popular Christian festivals
• 77% of British believe that there are things that science cannot explain

Question 6

How is the UK not a Christian Country?

Answer 6

• Census shows a decline in Christians
• People believe in a more spiritual approach to the world
• People are increasingly doing other activities on a Sunday
• Churches are being closed down due to a lack of worshippers
• Atheism and Humanism are more represented within the UK
• Every convert to the Church, it loses 12 members

Question 7

How have adverts posed a challenge to Christianity

Answer 7

An advert with the Lord’s Prayer was played at the beginning of Star Wars: Force Awakens in cinema. The avert was banned as it went against the policy regarding not promoting ads with religious or political messages

Question 8

How has jewellery conflicted with the law and posed a challenge to Christianity?

Answer 8

There have been debates on whether a Crucifix should be legal. It is argued that it should be allowed to wear an outward expression of Religion but people fight that it is not a necessary requirement of Christians. It was decided to be allowed and David Cameron argues that people shouldn’t suffer discrimination due to religious beliefs

Question 9

How as Christian beliefs to same-sex civil partnerships conflicted with the laws of the Country?

Answer 9

A couple refused to let civil partnerships stay in a room due to their Christian beliefs. The couple were found to be acting unlawfully as all people have rights to relationships regardless of sexual orientation. Many Christians today interpret the Bibles teaching towards homosexual relationships positively with those who disagree less than 30% in 2011

Question 10

How is Secularisation a challenge to Christianity?

Answer 10

Secularism is the belief that secularisation is a benefit to society. Attendance performance of rituals, and government influence have declined. Religion is often linked to violence, control and intolerances, whereas science can be linked to progress and tolerance

Question 11

Is Christianity a relic?

Answer 11

Some see the decline of the church a shift to it being a choice instead of being a duty. There are also Christian initiatives that are progressive and positive (Street Pastors)

Question 12

What 6 factors should secularists consider?

Answer 12

• Religious vitality (continues to be popular with many forms)
• The nature of modernity (religion can be a source of modern living)
• De-privatisation (religion brings about positive social change)
• Globalisation (religious movements across the world)
• Gender (change in gender roles within the church)
• Rational choice (decline of the state church is not the decline in Christianity)

Question 13

What is the value of Christian faith schools?

Answer 13

Faith schools recieved funding from religious organisations and have a preference for staff that follow the religion. They follow the National Curriculum however RE is given 10% of the curriculum. The British Humanist Association campaigns against faith schools as they create a segregated future, however it is argued that many don’t do it for the religious aspect

Question 14

What supports faith schools?

Answer 14

• Parents can choose children’s education
• One of the best performing state-schools
• Element of diversity and choice in education
• Foster inclusivity and love

Question 15

What objections are there against faith schools?

Answer 15

• Inspected by religious organisations and not a government one such as OFSTED or ESTN
• Teaches doctrine rather than objectiveness
• RE doesn’t have to cover other religious views and non religious views
• Ethical issues are only discussed from a religious perspective
• There are elements of discrimination and homophobia
• Creationism could be taught as scientific