rvative views of the church. As a result of Vatican 2 Catholicism was modernized and membership within the religion was re-established. Although the nature of Catholicism has changed in this age of materialism and consumerism, this does not necessarily indicate direction of decline.Before I begin my findings I would like to define the nature of secularism which is a word you will hear throughout my research. Secularism: rejection of religious and sacred forms and practices in favour of rational assessment and decision-making, and civil institutions of governmentWithin my assignment I broke my research into 6 main areas1.How have the changes in politics affected Catholicism since 19452.How has Americas rapid social change and culture affected Catholicism 3.How has modernisation, science and technology affected Catholicism in America4.How has the mass media affected Catholicism since 19455.How has modern education affected Catholicism6.Whether Catholicism has declined in AmericaTo my first sub-question whether Catholicism has declined in America. The Gallup Poll, a world-leading source of public opinion established in 1935, that showed catholic membership has actually increased over the years with slight dips at various points. Although does this really mean that Catholicism is not in decline. For example the Gallup Poll states church attendance fell from 74% 1958 to 48% 1988. So devotion has dropped considerably over the years, but as a result of what? At Vatican 2 1960s one of the many changes that precipitated was that Sunday Mass attendance was no longer a serious sin. Also another cause of devotional decay occurred as a result of the Popes birth control encyclical in 1968. According to Greeley it sent the church into a sudden and dramatic decline; Sunday and weekly mass attendance dropped off sharply. Although does this drop in devotion translated to the decline in Catholicism. Not necessarily for as Greeley states Religious behavio...
