Secularization Thesis

Secularization Thesis

Introduction

The paradigm of secularization has, for a long time, a significant frame of reference for better comprehending the place and function of religion existing amongst the contemporary societies of today. Primarily, even if the theory is considered on the basis of regional experience, it serves as a standard theoretical framework, used for interpretation of changes in the position of religion from all around the globe. Furthermore, in addition to, the consistently growing evidences from outside and within the United States on the vitality of religion, the thesis of secularization is challenged continuously and its applicability is limited steadily (Zielinska, 2011, pp. 79-91).

Discussion

Secularization is a widely used thesis that can be described better than to operationalise it. The origin of the term is one of the very few things that are comparatively unclear. In sociology, secularization refers to an idea according to which there is a considerable and consistent decline in the influence of religion, within the contemporary societies of today. According to Swyngedouw (1973), the secularization thesis represents a generic term, which covers the entire process of change that occurs in the contemporary society, with particular regard to what is traditionally known as “religion” (Sociology.org, n.d.).

The Theoretical Background

The concept of secularization is defined as the process through which the transcendent religious systems of the past are reduced relatively in the new, modern and functionally differentiated societies. In the process, the sub-system loses its overreaching claim. However, this definition only pertains to the society at a macro level. Thus, it only points out the higher religious authorities of various institutionalized religions losing their control over the numerous sub-systems, such as economy, family, education, etc. Moreover, secularization is more frequently observed as a consequence of functional segregation and, therefore, nothing but a descriptive theory. It can also be considered as the effect of functional differentiation for the sub-systems in religion while expressing the personal interpretation of the experience of religious personnel. According to Luhmann (1977), the religious personnel felt they have lost their influence is the worldly affairs, as well as, there is an existence of institutionalized segregation amongst the so-called secular and sacred (Dobbelaere, 2007, pp. 137- 147).

Arguments surrounding the Secularization Theory

There has been much debate within the Western Christians about the process of secularization. Frequently, many of us feel threatened by the measuring methods of declining religious concepts, which are provided as evidences. These include measures, ...