Entry by Danielle 4/27/13

Blog Topic: The Impact of Religion on Society

Subject/Title: Religion and Secularization In American Society:

In Sociology Now, authors Kimmel and Aronson write: “Early sociologists believed that as societies became more modern, religion would decline. Individuals, and society as a whole, would no longer need it, and so society would become increasingly secular. Secularization—the process of moving away from religious spirituality and toward the worldly—was assumed to be the future of religion around the world” (p. 498).  However, as Kimmel and Aronson say, this is not the case. In fact, studies are showing an overall global trend of resurging religious activity, including within the United States: “The United States stands alone among wealthy, industrialized countries in its embrace of religion. Nearly six in ten Americans say religion plays a very important role in their lives (Pew Global Attitudes Project, 2002) [Kimmel, p. 500].

In general we define the term religion as a set of belief systems, world views, and usually a language of symbols and customs, that relate humanity with spirituality, or with meanings that encompass and integrate both material and nonmaterial “worlds.” We recognize that these are human concerns (we do not know that animals have these). Kimmel and Aronson point out that “no human society has yet been discovered that lacks an organized, coherent system of beliefs about a spiritual world” (489). On the other hand, secularization is defined as the transformation of a society from close identification with religious values and institutions toward nonreligious values and secular institutions. We know that the U.S. has transformed in this way, valuing and relying on science and technology.

In what manner do these seemingly opposite forces, religion and secularism, coexist in American society? Over the next few weeks, I plan to explore this topic from a sociological perspective  and post some of my findings here on this blog. I am looking for some relevant academic sources, including statistics, sociological theories, and discussion from (primarily) the beginning of the 21^st century. Sociologists consider religion to be one of the primary “agents of socialization” within societies. What current study and research is being done in this area?

Is the so-called “resurgence” of religion a reaction to the fragmenting, compartmentalizing influence of the modern industrial times? The Encyclopedia of Religion and Society (1998) contains information about the background of the study of religion and society. In fact, the editor,W. H. Swato writes,

“The sociology of religion has, very largely, become trapped in the discussions that concern the shift from preindustrial to industrial societies. The debate needs to move on. Building on to the best of the contributions concerning the nature and forms of modernity (Giddens, Beck, Baumann, and so on), those with appropriate skills need to offer alternative analyses that integrate rather than marginalize the role of religion in the modern world (Beckford 1996). Hervieu-Léger (1986, 1993) has made a significant start in this direction, recognizing that the nature and forms of religion at the turn of a new century depend significantly on the nature of modernity itself. Contemporary religion is a product of, not a reaction to, modernity” (“Content” page).

In the coming weeks, I hope to bring more of the discussion of the relationship between religion and secularization, and its effects on American society, to the blog.

Sources cited:

1. Kimmel, M. and A. Aronson. Sociology Now: Census Update. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2012. Print.
2. Swatos, W.H. “Content Pages.” Encyclopedia of Religion and Society. Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Alta Mira Press, 1998. Hartsem.edu. Web. 28 Apr 2013.