But for a society to undergo modernization it must also be open to change, whilst the will always be those with intransigent views that wish to restrict development of both their own and other societies in ‘maintaining tradition for tradition’s sake’ 1. Which may be detrimental to the advancement and expansion of the society. However some authors state that it is only Western societies that are seen as modern making all other societies less inferior, primitive or un-evolved by comparison, although Japan is now considered very modern.
Whilst modernity basically refers to the present-day confirming that any society in existence is modern and modernization is performed through changes in ‘processes’ and ‘offensives’ 2. In that new technology and laws control the limits of humans together with planning and achievements can be changed and criticized confirming that modernization is one of the most influential happenings in society.
Whilst the question does not specify a global location, consideration should be identified as this would result in different responses dependant on location. As the deterioration of religion having the social influences as it once did in Western Europe is not necessarily the standard worldwide as Ireland and Poland again differ from all other countries in Europe. It should also be noted that all countries except Egypt have shown a decline in religion.
‘According to the secularization theory, religion declines as a result of the process of modernization’ (AD173, 2001 p.81) which is due to social differentiation, societalization and rationalization (Wallis and Bruce, 1992, p.8).
In conclusion the secularization theory interaction on society are considered more than the individual. New development in both technology, economic, social and cultures enhance the flexibility of religion as it is no longer constrained within its traditional boundaries. These changes in religion do not mean that religion is becoming less popular in society and soon to become extinct, as although ‘religion no longer enjoys a central role’ (AD173, 2001. p.73) and it has lost its influence on the social system, in the Western society it has become a more private affair as there are an increasing number of new faiths today.
While Religions elsewhere have found ways to adapt to the new technologies especially in commutating religious traditions in innovative ways, evaluating these findings should be deliberated differently to that of the UK and most European countries. A final thought should also be given to the fact that even in this modern world there is still not a unanimous ‘freedom of choice’ (AD173, 2001.p.72).
What does the evidence from these extracts suggest about the relationship between religion and modernization?
The first extract states that religion is becoming less influential and significant in society and in most European countries, which has been evident since the 19th century. Development in technological advances and easily accessible information for all rather than the selected few has helped diminish ‘irrational beliefs and superstitious rituals’( Zuckerman, P. (2004) again which is evident with the decline in Church attendance.
While the second extract divides the designation of western society into the heading of America and Europe. Taking into account a common persona of Americans to over inflate evidence it states that American are more religious than most Europeans with the exception of the Irish and Polish.
The speaker in the DVD discuss the aftermath of Diana’s death with her media-given title of The Queen of Hearts. Many religious places of worship across the UK, cathedrals, churches including monuments became shrines as the general public wanted to ‘reclaim sacred space [...] as a means of expressing their deep felt spiritual sentiments and needs’ (DVD 1, band 3 )3.
Although the was no connection between peoples’ spiritual needs and their chosen place of worship over this period, it did allow for the ‘church’ to become a surrogate for all religious feelings and spiritual beliefs. As ‘now a day’s more people are buying into a looser structure, [...] belief and belonging don’t go hand in hand’. (DVD 1, band 3) 4 People are ‘not buying into commitment’ (DVD 1, band 3) 5 but using a ‘broadly defined set of spiritual beliefs and practices that they feel comfortable with.’ (DVD 1, band 3) 6
Diana created this response because she was portrayed as being vulnerable and accessible. Although her faith was not defined, it was believed that she had a faith in the idea that there is more than just this material world. The representation depicted by the media encouraged everyone to unite and mourn.
The evidence suggests that like the media and the collection of information for statistics this can be manipulated to suit the reason for its collection and one must ask the reason why the data/information was collected, who collected this information and final conclusion behind the data in what it is required to prove and who is presenting it.
Yes society is evolving and changing as well as people perceptions, while there still is a need for people to seek spiritual and religious truth, many are more inclined to ‘believe without belong’. (DVD 1, band 3) 7
References
Marion Bowman, David Herbert, Susan Mumm, 2001 AD317 Religion Today: Tradition, Modernity and Change. Course Introduction, The Open University pg 73.
Religion [First Edition]. Winston King. Encyclopaedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. Vol. 11. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. p7692-7701.
Wallis, R. and Bruce, S. (eds) (1992) Religion and Modernization, Oxford: Oxford University Press. p.8
Wilson, B (1982), Religion in Sociological Perspectives, Oxford: Oxford University Press p.149
Zuckerman, P. (2004)
Media References
1 Retrieved 12 Feb 08
2 Retrieved 12 Feb 08
3 Zuckerman, P. (2004)
4 DVD 1, band 3
5 DVD 1, band 3
6 DVD 1, band 3
7 DVD 1, band 3
8 DVD 1, band 3
The issue is certainly open to debate but I don’t think we should presume that the positions adopted are merely a reflection of the personal religious convictions of the authors or the lack thereof. Scholars in the field of religion attempt to take a dispassionate view in their interpretation of social trends, though in fact personal conviction may frequently influence their conclusions.
You should check the format for referencing on page 5 of the assignments booklet. It is important to get this right as otherwise it will lose you marks in future assignments and for the Course Essay.
OK, but the question is not asking here for a definition of religion and in a short essay in particular it is very important to stick rigidly to the designated task without deviation.
Be careful here with language use. The discipline of Religious Studies insists on a phenomenological approach that refrains from passing judgement. Terms such as barbarism and civilization are inherently judgemental, culturally specific and pose problems of definition. In the social sciences modernisation is used to refer to the process of social transformation involving industrialisation, urbanisation, expansion of the role of the state and the development of global capitalism. To some this might be seen as the spread of civilisation but others may see it as a rise of barbarism.
Perhaps, but there are perfectly valid arguments for resisting modernisation as it typically takes the form of westernisation, global capitalism and the gradual destruction of indigenous culture. Gandhi, for example, was utterly opposed to modernisation in India and was able to express very cogent arguments to support his position. Modernisation and westernisation cannot be regarded as inherently ‘good’; opposition to this trend may be based on very reasonable grounds.
Yes, but here we are using the word modernisation in its sociological sense, which you note above.
Perhaps, though more recent statistics from Ireland show that it is moving in a secular direction and the same trend does appear to be beginning in Poland as well.
This is not really the case and the USA is a very important example of a modern society that does not appear to be moving towards secularisation. Egypt may in fact be regarded as being typical of modernising societies that do not experience a parallel decline in the social importance of religion.
Yes this is an important point and more could have been said about these features of modernisation.
This sentence is not quite clear.
Though many commentators would argue that the rise of new forms of religion does not compensate for the huge decline in the strength of the traditional churches.
References should be inserted by naming the author. So in this case it should be (Bowman et al, 2001, p72).
Yes, Zuckerman is here emphasising the trend referred to as rationalisation whereby people’s belief in the supernatural declines and science rather than religion is regarded as providing answers to questions about the nature of the world. This inevitably has the effect of diminishing the influence of religion.
This is not a sentence. The word ‘while’ should be omitted.
The significance of this material is that it might appear to support Grace Davie’s view on ‘believing without belonging.’ She challenges secularisation theory by suggesting that although institutional religion has declined, people still retain forms of religious faith. Hence religion has not really declined but has just changed into different, less institutional forms. Other scholars, however, do not accept her views and argue that these vague forms of spirituality are not of any great significance.