Component 03 The challenge of secularism: secularism and secularisation, Dawkins's New Atheism, Freud's psychological critique of religion, the spiritual but not religious movement, and Christianity in public life.

A 40-mark Component 03 essay on the six-level scheme (AO1 out of 25, AO2 out of 15). Explaining secularism earns AO1; the higher levels reward judging the threat.

Explain (AO1). Secularism is the separation of religion from public life and the state; secularisation is the social decline of religious belief and influence. The New Atheism of Dawkins attacks religion as false and harmful; Freud explained it as an illusion born of wish-fulfilment. The "spiritual but not religious" trend keeps spirituality but rejects organised religion.

Evaluate (AO2). For a serious threat: declining attendance, the loss of public influence, and forceful intellectual criticism. Against: religion remains globally vibrant, the criticisms are contestable (Dawkins is accused of attacking a crude target; Freud's theory is untestable), and Christianity has answered hostile critics before.

Judge. A top answer decides how serious the threat really is, and defends the verdict.

A levels-of-response essay testing AO1 understanding of Freud and AO2 evaluation of his claim.

Explain. Freud argues religion is an illusion: a belief held because it is wished for. It arises from the helpless human need for a protective father figure projected onto a cosmic scale, and from the need to tame nature and console us about death. Religion is thus a kind of collective neurosis we should outgrow.

Evaluate. Strengths: it explains the comfort religion gives and the parallels with the parent-child relationship. Weaknesses: an illusion (something wished for) may still be true; the theory is hard to test (Popper) and rests on contested evidence; wanting something to be true does not make it false (the genetic fallacy).

Judge. A high-level answer weighs whether Freud explains away or merely explains religion, and reaches a justified conclusion.