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50
1
Maisie Wood
19/07/2025
Sociology
AQA Sociology A Level - Secularisation
2,259
•
19 Jul 2025
•
Maisie Wood
@alevel.revisionnotes
Secularisation in Modern Society: A Comprehensive Analysis
The process of ... Show more
This page delves deeper into various aspects of secularisation sociology revision notes, examining different definitions and contemporary demographic changes in British society.
Definition: Secularisation manifests in multiple ways, including religious decline, worldly conformity, institutional disengagement, belief transposition, and world desacralization.
Example: The 2021 Census shows significant demographic shifts, with a 5.5 million drop in Christianity and a 44% rise in Islamic followers, illustrating modern secularisation in the UK.
Highlight: Cities like Leicester and Birmingham have become 'minority majorities' with 59.1% ethnic minority populations, showing dramatic demographic changes from 2001 to 2021.
Quote: "From a sacred to a secular society: where a society moves from reliance on religion in promoting social solidarity towards a more complex situation where religion takes a place in a competitive market of beliefs and ideas."
Page 2: Theoretical Framework of Secularisation
This section outlines the key theoretical components of secularisation, exploring how religious institutions and beliefs transform in modern society.
Highlight: The decline of traditional religious practices involves multiple dimensions, including institutional disengagement and worldly reorientation.
Vocabulary: Conformity with this world refers to religious movements becoming more focused on earthly rather than spiritual concerns.
Example: Modern religious movements often prioritize practical solutions over spiritual salvation, demonstrating conformity with worldly concerns.
Page 3: Religious Change in Britain
An examination of the significant changes in British religious practice since 1851, demonstrating concrete examples of secularisation in the UK.
Highlight: Five major changes have occurred in British religious practice:
Example: The decline in church weddings reflects broader social changes, including increased divorce rates and cost considerations.
Page 4: Theoretical Perspectives
This page explores major sociological theories about causes of secularisation, including Marxist, Comtean, and Weberian perspectives.
Quote: Marx viewed secularisation as "inevitable due to the coming of socialism."
Highlight: Auguste Comte predicted modern society would be dominated by science rather than religion.
Definition: Rationalisation, as described by Weber, refers to the process of replacing religious and magical understandings with logical, scientific explanations.
Page 5: Social and Cultural Factors
An analysis of how social and cultural changes contribute to reasons for secularisation sociology.
Highlight: The transition from pre-industrial to industrial society significantly impacted religious community cohesion.
Example: The breakdown of stable local communities has weakened traditional religious bonds and practices.
Page 6: Weber's Rationalisation and Religious Change
This section delves deeper into Weber's concept of rationalisation and its relationship to religious decline.
Definition: Rationalisation involves interpreting the world through scientific rather than religious frameworks.
Highlight: The Protestant Reformation's emphasis on individualism contributed to secularisation by privatizing religious experience.
Page 7: American Secularisation
An examination of secularisation patterns in America, providing important contrasts to European experiences.
Quote: Wilson argues that religion has become "more part of American way of life now than of deeply held religious beliefs."
Highlight: American religious practice often maintains high attendance while becoming more superficial in nature.
The first page introduces core concepts of secularisation sociology and presents current religious demographics worldwide. It explores both substantive and functional definitions of religion, providing a foundation for understanding religious change.
Definition: What is secularisation sociology refers to the historical process where religion loses social and cultural significance, with faith lacking cultural authority and religious organizations having diminished social power.
Example: In the UK, only 6% of the population attends church regularly, with an average churchgoer age of 61, demonstrating practical examples of secularisation.
Highlight: The 2001 census revealed an interesting phenomenon where 'Jedi' was recorded as the fourth largest religion in the UK, surpassing traditional faiths like Judaism and Buddhism.
Vocabulary: Substantive definitions refer to traditional organized religions involving supernatural elements, while functional definitions focus on how religious institutions serve social purposes.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Maisie Wood
@alevel.revisionnotes
Secularisation in Modern Society: A Comprehensive Analysis
The process of secularisation sociology represents a fundamental shift in how religion influences modern society. Religious institutions have experienced declining social authority while secular worldviews gain prominence.
Key aspects include:
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
This page delves deeper into various aspects of secularisation sociology revision notes, examining different definitions and contemporary demographic changes in British society.
Definition: Secularisation manifests in multiple ways, including religious decline, worldly conformity, institutional disengagement, belief transposition, and world desacralization.
Example: The 2021 Census shows significant demographic shifts, with a 5.5 million drop in Christianity and a 44% rise in Islamic followers, illustrating modern secularisation in the UK.
Highlight: Cities like Leicester and Birmingham have become 'minority majorities' with 59.1% ethnic minority populations, showing dramatic demographic changes from 2001 to 2021.
Quote: "From a sacred to a secular society: where a society moves from reliance on religion in promoting social solidarity towards a more complex situation where religion takes a place in a competitive market of beliefs and ideas."
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Page 2: Theoretical Framework of Secularisation
This section outlines the key theoretical components of secularisation, exploring how religious institutions and beliefs transform in modern society.
Highlight: The decline of traditional religious practices involves multiple dimensions, including institutional disengagement and worldly reorientation.
Vocabulary: Conformity with this world refers to religious movements becoming more focused on earthly rather than spiritual concerns.
Example: Modern religious movements often prioritize practical solutions over spiritual salvation, demonstrating conformity with worldly concerns.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Page 3: Religious Change in Britain
An examination of the significant changes in British religious practice since 1851, demonstrating concrete examples of secularisation in the UK.
Highlight: Five major changes have occurred in British religious practice:
Example: The decline in church weddings reflects broader social changes, including increased divorce rates and cost considerations.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Page 4: Theoretical Perspectives
This page explores major sociological theories about causes of secularisation, including Marxist, Comtean, and Weberian perspectives.
Quote: Marx viewed secularisation as "inevitable due to the coming of socialism."
Highlight: Auguste Comte predicted modern society would be dominated by science rather than religion.
Definition: Rationalisation, as described by Weber, refers to the process of replacing religious and magical understandings with logical, scientific explanations.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Page 5: Social and Cultural Factors
An analysis of how social and cultural changes contribute to reasons for secularisation sociology.
Highlight: The transition from pre-industrial to industrial society significantly impacted religious community cohesion.
Example: The breakdown of stable local communities has weakened traditional religious bonds and practices.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Page 6: Weber's Rationalisation and Religious Change
This section delves deeper into Weber's concept of rationalisation and its relationship to religious decline.
Definition: Rationalisation involves interpreting the world through scientific rather than religious frameworks.
Highlight: The Protestant Reformation's emphasis on individualism contributed to secularisation by privatizing religious experience.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Page 7: American Secularisation
An examination of secularisation patterns in America, providing important contrasts to European experiences.
Quote: Wilson argues that religion has become "more part of American way of life now than of deeply held religious beliefs."
Highlight: American religious practice often maintains high attendance while becoming more superficial in nature.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The first page introduces core concepts of secularisation sociology and presents current religious demographics worldwide. It explores both substantive and functional definitions of religion, providing a foundation for understanding religious change.
Definition: What is secularisation sociology refers to the historical process where religion loses social and cultural significance, with faith lacking cultural authority and religious organizations having diminished social power.
Example: In the UK, only 6% of the population attends church regularly, with an average churchgoer age of 61, demonstrating practical examples of secularisation.
Highlight: The 2001 census revealed an interesting phenomenon where 'Jedi' was recorded as the fourth largest religion in the UK, surpassing traditional faiths like Judaism and Buddhism.
Vocabulary: Substantive definitions refer to traditional organized religions involving supernatural elements, while functional definitions focus on how religious institutions serve social purposes.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
