Secularisation

Secularisation is one of the most debated topics in the sociology of religion. The secularisation thesis argues that the social significance of religion is declining in modern societies — that religious beliefs, practices, and institutions are losing their influence over public life and individual consciousness. This lesson examines the key theorists, evidence for and against secularisation, and the ongoing debate about whether religion is in decline or merely changing form.

Key Definition: Secularisation is the process by which religious thinking, practices, and institutions lose social significance. It can refer to declining religious participation, decreasing influence of religion on public institutions, or the weakening of individual religious belief.

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Bryan Wilson: The Classic Secularisation Thesis

Bryan Wilson (1966) was one of the first sociologists to systematically argue that secularisation was occurring in Western societies. He defined secularisation as "the process whereby religious thinking, practice and institutions lose social significance."

Wilson pointed to several key indicators: