As science has pushed back the boundaries of religious explanation, and as democracy has assumed authority in the state through the rule of law, pushing Church authority further into the background, sociologists have hypothesized a thesis for the Church's waning influence. Which of the following terms best frames this theoretical concept?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The secularization thesis suggests that as society becomes more secular and scientific, the influence of religion diminishes. This is in line with the description given in the passage, where science and democracy are portrayed as contributing factors to the Church's declining influence. Choices A and B are not supported by the passage, and while choice C may be partially accurate, it does not capture the full range of factors at play in the Church's declining influence.

As Science Has Pushed Back the Boundaries of Religious Explanation