Sociology – Paper 4 – Religion: The influence of religion | e-Consult

“De‑secularisation” refers to the re‑emergence or strengthening of religion in the public sphere, suggesting that secularisation is not a linear, irreversible process.

How it challenges the thesis:

• It highlights that religious movements can regain political influence, contradicting the claim that modern societies inevitably marginalise religion.
• It underscores the role of globalisation and migration in introducing vibrant religious communities that reshape national religious landscapes.
• It points to the capacity of religion to adapt, mobilise, and address contemporary concerns (e.g., identity, social justice), thereby maintaining relevance.

Contemporary examples:

1. Turkey under the Justice and Development Party (AKP): Since 2002, the AKP has promoted policies that foreground Islamic values in education, media, and public life, reversing decades of strict secularist reforms.
2. The rise of evangelical Christianity in the United States: Evangelical groups have become a powerful political lobby, influencing legislation on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and education, demonstrating religion’s renewed public authority.
3. Hindu nationalism in India: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has integrated Hindu symbols and narratives into state rhetoric, fostering a close alignment between religion and national identity.

These cases illustrate that, rather than a uniform decline, religion can experience resurgence, especially when it aligns with nationalist or identity‑based politics. Consequently, the secularisation thesis must be reframed to accommodate both secularising and de‑secularising dynamics across different contexts.