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Year 9 - Religious education

The future of religion

Census: How has the landscape of belief changed in Britain?

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will interpret census data to explore religion and belief in the UK. They will examine the growing diversity within Christianity and the rise of cultural Christians. They will use work by the sociologist, Linda Woodhead, to analyse the rise of 'no religion' in the UK.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain what the Secularisation Thesis is and how this relates to religion and Generation Z today.

Key Notes

  • The census and other data can show that religion is on the decline in some societies.
  • The census and other data can show that some forms of religion are not declining in societies.
  • The Secularisation Thesis states that as societies modernise, religion will be less important and influential.
  • There is some evidence that Generation Z may be more open to religion than previous generations.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • generation: a group of people born and living around the same time, usually about 20-30 years apart
  • Secularisation Thesis: the idea put forward in social science that as a society becomes more modern it becomes less religious
  • spiritual: a sense of connection to something greater than oneself such as a higher power, or nature

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The census data for England and Wales shows that all religious groups are 'declining' in numbers.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

The census and other data can show that religion is on the decline in some societies. The census and other data can show that some forms of religion are not declining in societies.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'generation'

a group of people born and living around the same time, usually about 20-30 years apart.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: The census data for England and Wales shows that all religious groups are 'declining' in numbers. Correction: The census data shows that Christianity has less numbers overall but other religious groups, e.g Islam, and particular groups within Christianity are increasing in numbers.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 9 Religious education guide library.