Religious Secularization Has Been Increasingly Term Paper

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(Casanova, n.d., pp. 10 -- 26)

The Secularization by Rodney Stark

In the article titled Secularization, Stark (1999) is discussing how secularization is having a dramatic impact upon the society. This is because organized religion has not offered any kind of new or creative ideas in over two hundred years (which are leading to its decline). Moreover, many of the more mystical religions are experiencing similar decreases. The combination of these factors are important, in showing how there has been fundamental shift in morals and values. (Stark, 1999, pp. 249 -- 273)

Evidence of this can be seen with observations from Stark who said, "The day will come when religion has been relegated to memory and museums. This will not have been caused by modernization, and the demise of faith will bear no resemblance to the process postulated by the secular doctrine." (Stark, 1999, pg. 269) This is illustrating how modern religion is going through a period of slow decline. As a result, Stark believes that many of these ideas will be looked at from a historical perspective (in understanding how these concepts influenced individual thinking). This is when scholars can show how the morals and values of society evolved with these beliefs. (Stark, 1999, pp. 249 -- 273)

What elements do these critiques have in common?

The basic elements that secularization has in common with other ideas are that it is openly questioning modern religious philosophy. This is leading to a transformation in how ideas are discussed and what specific morals are applied socially. Over the course of time, this is shifting the way various concepts are understood and interpreted (which leads to changes in different viewpoints).

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(Stark, 1999, pp. 249 -- 273) (Casanova, n.d., pp. 10 -- 26)

In what ways do these sociologists' views on the secularization thesis differ from each other?

The way that these ideas differ from one another is the lasting impact of secularism in society. As Casanova believes, that religion is still continuing to remain a dominant force because of secularism. The reason why, is because he thinks that these changes lead to new ideas and philosophies about religious doctrine. This is when new sects emerge, which will create alternative ideas and interpretations. Once this happens, is when there will be an increase in how these concepts are embraced by society (with them becoming more dominant). (Stark, 1999, pp. 249 -- 273) (Casanova, n.d., pp. 10 -- 26)

Stark believes that opposite is taking place. This is from modern religion continuing to embrace the same worn out concepts and ideas. According to Stark, this is the contributing factor that is leading to the decline of modern religion. In the future, he thinks that many of these ideas will be utilized by historians to understand how empowering levels of thought evolved. Therefore, secularization is changing the way society embraces select morals and values. (Stark, 1999, pp. 249 -- 273) (Casanova, n.d., pp. 10 -- 26)

Conclusion

Clearly, secularization is leading to major shift in social norms. This is because there is a transformation in how these various concepts are applied. As a result, there are conflicting views about what these changes mean and how they will influence the way everyone is interacting with each other on a regular basis. Depending upon the author; the ideas,.....

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