Secularization: Europe—yes, United States—no

Skeptical Inquirer ^ | Phil Zuckerman

[mathprof]

A major concern for sociologists of religion--and a topic of heated debate--is secularization, the process of religious beliefs, symbols, and institutions becoming less influential and significant in society (Swatos and Olson 2000, Bruce 2002, Stark and Finke 2000, Berger 1967). The idea that religion is steadily dying has enjoyed widespread acceptance over the course of the last three centuries among social scientists, with prominent voices from within sociology, psychology, political science, economics, anthropology, history, and philosophy lending support. This is the gist of the theory: In the wake of the Enlightenment, with the rapid progress of scientific inquiry and industrial development, with emerging insights into the human mind and body, with the growth of broader and more accessible educational facilities, and amidst the mounting achievements of technology, irrational beliefs and superstitious rituals--the heart and soul of religion--will fade.

What the best available empirical research reveals is that secularization is unambiguously observable in most of Western Europe, but not in the United States. In fact, religion remains remarkably strong in the United States. For instance, more than 95 percent of Americans claim to believe in God or a universal spirit or lifeforce, compared to 61 percent of the British; nearly 80 percent of Americans claim to believe in heaven, compared to 50 percent of the British; 84 percent of Americans believe that Jesus is God or the son of God, compared to 46 percent of the British (Gallup and Lindsay 1999). Comparing additional traditional religious beliefs, over 70 percent of Americans believe in life after death, compared to 46 percent of Italians, 43 percent of the French...

[mathprof]

This was supplied by a liberal friend (another math professor). We spent the afternoon debating whether there actually is a rise of religion in the US and whether or not this is bad. Like many Democrats, he tends to frame things in terms of Europe versus the US (even though he's American).

[zzen01]

Europe-in decline-YES
United States-in decline-NO

[Unam Sanctam]

Actually, there is a precedent for a revival in religious beliefs -- the early 19th Century and the romantic reaction against Enlightenment rationalism -- of course ultimately a synthesis emerged which allowed for the coexistence and to some extent commingling of religious belief and enlightenment ideas.

[paudio]

People tend to think what happened in Europe will happen anywhere else in the world. Well, it's not necessary like that. Other societies learned how to accept modernity but not leaving their religious aspects behind. They learn how to avoid European path. Again and again people find revitalization of religion in different places with different flavors. And this happen to all 'world' religions. Including Christianity.

[SolutionsOnly]

Good or bad? Well, if you want immediate gratification, religion is a bad thing. If you want long term happiness, then religion is a good thing.
For he record, I'm more interested in the long term.

'Secularization' is another way of suggesting moral anarchy. Instead of right and wrong (religious values), things are either legal or illegal(secular). There's a profound difference in those two approaches to decision making - and in the ramifications of those decisions. Human secularism implicitly encourages narcissism, Religiosity discourages it. Which is better for a society in he long run?

I don't think there's a rise in religion (actually I suspect a slow decline overall, but with a lot of cross currents like a growing 'born-again' movement peeling off members from the more liberal denominations). But I do think there's a huge increase in the amount of media attention to religion - and because religion stands in the way of the secular humanist agenda, it will be portrayed in as negatively as possible.

[1stcap]

Well,we all try to make our world the way we want it to be. Let the left get thier best toe hold and so will we. We'll see who gets forgotten first. I want a Christian world. I want a government and a culture that is friendly to Christianity, not hostile to it. I want a culture that embraces Christian values and traditional American patriotism and I am going to work to affect that in my culture.
I perceive the left to be hostile to both. As a supporter of conservative Christian values and an American who believes we as Christian Americans have made unique and significant contributions to our world, I will continue to advance the causes of my fore fathers. We have always fought evil, advanced justice, equality, and God given moral direction to our nation and the world. I will not stand idly by and watch the left dismantle and distort the legacy of our good work.
The left has stolen and now has possession of our public education system. They use it to advance their world view of a secular humanist society. In their system God is not welcome. I want to re-institute a 'God is welcome' mentality in my public schools, the schools my Christian American Patriot fore fathers built. If the left wants their religion of atheism to be dominant in schools then they are free to build their own, but they can't have mine. I want prayer back in my schools. I want teachers who are Christians and want to have bibles on their desks to be free to do so. I want them free to discuss their faith and morals with our children. I want them to be free to pray whenever they choose. I want our history of Christian influence accurately taught in American history classes. The NEA, a union that is hostile to God, owns the democrats. As Christians who love America we must vote for and contribute to Christian Republicans. There is no other option at this time.Let the parade begin.