Secularization in Britain-Sociology Dissertation Essay

Secularization in Britain-Sociology Dissertation - Essay Example How are these factors represented in the United Kingdom? In general, secularization is still the word of the day, yet while in the past trends directed almost exclusively towards secularization, now there are mixed trends leading both towards and away from secularization. Secondary data analysis is the reuse of quantitative data, the analysis of data collected by others. The following secondary data analysis is essential to guiding our research. First: It is important for us to understand the theoretical approaches of those who have gone before us. As the secularization theory (McGee) we review below indicates, things that might seem to be a sign of one thing (desecularization) can actually be a sign of another (secularization) if interpreted under a different framework. Understanding what data means, not just prior data, is essential. Second: It's impossible to identify trends without introducing longitudinal data. Thus, surveyed below are studies primarily from the 2000s, but with data and trend analysis going back much earlier than that. Third: To hedge against bias and presuppositions, it is vital to see what others think. The data below is drawn from a number of sources, including multiple major analyses of the UK's religiosity: An analysis of churchgoing; an analysis of the UK as compared to other countries; and longitudinal trends. The variety of sources is essential to get many different handles on the idea of secularization. As our data indicate, the exact definition and amount of religiosity is not something that can be ascertained from one vector. Someone can identify themselves as an atheist yet admit to prayer; someone can view themselves as not especially religious yet be uneasy with the idea of teaching evolution in the schools. We thus chose to look for many different factors to truly understand the face of secularization in the UK. Variables chosen include self-identification as religious or atheistic/agnostic, which is vital for understanding secularization since a secular society should presumably have more secular people; the degree of belief in prayer; the degree of value that people place on religion, such as people's beliefs that religion makes one a better person or causes wars and conflict; belief in evolution, an important specific choice because it acts as a prima facia plausibility test to see if the other variables might be exaggerating the secularization and overestimating its practical and social impact; etc. We did not focus on specific sectarianism as it generally is not important for the way that secularization is proceeding. The limitations of the data analysis below are obvious. The longitudinal data is good but doesn't take into account a broad enough set of variables or ways that people behave. Anomalies emerge, like a general trend towards secularization alongside increased scepticism about evolution. Secondary Data Analysis Unquestionably, the historical trend in the UK has been towards secularizati on. Brierly (1989) found that from 1900 to 1985 the trend was overwhelmingly towards more secularization, and predicted this trend would continue. The British Social Attitudes (2010) studies confirm this fact. The number of people from