Secularization Debate

Secularization of religion is the replacement of a religion’s “other worldly” concerns with concerns about this life. As industrialization and modernity has increased, religion has lost some of its social significance. Two strong positions are held by Bryon Wilson and Roger Finke on the secularization debate. Wilson notes that religious practices in society are a thing of the past. Religion started as a communal group phenomenon and has transformed into a part of one’…showed first 75 words of 259 total…

…showed last 75 words of 259 total…reference to (often new) institutions operating according to empirical, rational, pragmatic criteria.” Religion is experiencing a decline of social significance, Wilson argues. In the early communities and traditional societies, religion had a strong social significance. Everyday life was deeply influenced with elements of the supernatural or religious activities. Religion was a communal activity that existed in many parts of society. However, as the United States became industrialized, people moved from religion to the secular world.