Secularisation is a complex and multifaceted process of decline in the social and cultural influence of religion in modern societies. While many contemporary societies have become increasingly secular, the extent and nature of secularisation are subjects of ongoing sociological debate and research. Secularisation can be observed and measured in various ways, including a decrease in levels of individual involvement with religious organisations (such as lower rates of church attendance and religious affiliation), a reduction in the social and material influence wielded by religious institutions in areas like politics, education, and social welfare, and a decline in the degree to which people hold traditional religious beliefs and adhere to religious practices in their personal lives. Secularisation does not necessarily mean the complete disappearance of religion, but rather a shift in its role and significance in society and individual lives, often leading to a greater separation between religious and secular spheres of life.