Sociology - Secularisation In North Somerset
...2
Context 3
Methodology 6
Final Questionnaire 8
Evidence 10
Evaluation 14
Pilot Questionnaire 16
Bibliography 18
Research Diary 20
Rationale
Religion and society has always been a focus of interest for me. I have been intrigued by what kinds of people attend church on a regular basis and whether today’s society is becoming secular. I have noticed the decline in the influence and practice of religion. I have decided to carry out my individual assignment on whether the decline in religion in Somerset is a myth or whether we are becoming a secular society.
I have chosen this area of study as I have noticed the decline in mainstream religion. The definition of secularisation according to Bryan Wilson, the arch proponent for the secularisation thesis, is:
“The process whereby religious thinking, practices and institutions lose their social significance.”
Therefore in my study I will research into the decline of the social significance on those factors. I will look into what influence mainstream religions still have on the society and I will also look into whether sects and cults are increasing in popularity or whether privatised religion is soon becoming the dominant religious type in my local area. So my hypothesis is:
• Mainstream religious influences are in decline in the North of Somerset.
The objectives for my individual assignment are as follows:
Carry out my pilot questionnaire and make any needed amendments.
Conduct the questionnaire on a wide scale basis using research participants who would be opportunity sampled.
Trying to spread the questionnaire to a range of age groups so I can map a trend between religion and the ages of...
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