Postmodernist view on Religion

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Postmodernism view on religion A2 Sociology

A postmodernist society : 

A postmodernist society Society is becoming more postmodernist due to… Communication technology Consumer society People have more freedom to create their beliefs Increase in different faiths

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Postmodernist Bauman believes increased reflexivity in contemporary world poses problems for individuals People no longer accept that others have authority over them and that they must live their lives according to rules imposed by any form of external authority. Moderny tried to put ethical problems on one side. They were reduced to or replaced by rules or laws. People were encouraged to behave in particular ways postmodenity has left individuals with no external rules to govern their lives. This leads to a renewed emphasis on the ethical and the moral, but now it is personal ethics and morality that are important. Morality becomes privatized, a matter of personal choice. Individuals still seek to evaluate themselves and their own worth. They still want to make their lives have meaningful. Individuals have ‘life projects’, things that they want to achieve, ambitions they wanted to fulfill. With individuals responsible for their own morality, people turn to experts in morality, religious leaders, for some guidance.

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Postmodernist Lyon believes society have moved beyond high modernity and postmodenity is an increasingly important feature of many societies. The spread of computer and information technology allows ideas to be shared throughout the world as part of globalization. On the internet, it is possible to gain information about almost any type of religious or spiritual belief. People are exposed to a vast amount of religions.

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Increased in geographical mobility and travel, reduce the extent to which people’s identities are based upon local communities. They open up a wider range of possible beliefs for people. Global flows of information and ideas make it harder for people to maintain fixed and unchanging sets of beliefs. Consumerism, consumer culture means ‘people are free to choose on their own what to do with their time, their homes, their bodies and their Gods. Since people have so much choice, people feel they should be able to chose what they believe in.

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This change does not mean that religion is declining. Instead, religion is just relocating to a different sphere: the sphere of consumption. In a world which emphasizes choice, people are less willing to accept the authority of a church, but still seek meaning in their lives. Religion can be chosen in a post modernist world, religion can become an important sense of identity for a person. People still seek a narrative or story to put their lives in context, but they are less willing to accept an externally imposed narrative of an established church.

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Religion has far from disappeared, people have simply become selective consumers. There has been a general shift from religion as a social institution of great importance, to religion as a cultural resource which remains important to individuals in their lives. In Disney land a harvest crusade took place, this shows that religion interacts with the most postmodern of setting, Disneyland. Disneyland is often considered to postmodern because it is a fantasy world where the images or signs have no connection with reality. But they are treated as real. Harvest day crusade is an example of how religion is adapting to a postmodern society and becoming apart of it. Religion is no longer confined to traditional institutions such as churches.

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Dedifferentiation- the distinction between different features in society has become less clear cut; boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred. For instance the distinction between high culture and low culture has become blurred. In the case of Jesus in Disney land the distinction of between religion and popular culture is blurred. Religion can be found anywhere, people seek credible ways of expressing faith in contemporary modes, but outside the walls of conventional churches.

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Postmodernist Heelas belives the new age appears to involve a breakdown in the distinction between traditional religious beliefs and popular culture. The new age is detraditionalized because is rejects the established traditions of conventional religions such as Christianity. The new age appears to accept relativism. It does not accept on set of ideas as revealing the whole truth. The new age seems to have strong links with consumer culture. New agers can consume different practices from week to week. The new age emphasizes the importance of experience over the achievements of particular ends. For instance both consumers when shopping may become so involved in their activities that they forget who they are and simply enjoy the experience A person may do yoga on a Monday Then go to church on Sunday

Identity : 

Identity In postmodern society people’s identities are constructed more by personal choice.

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Individuals no longer identify with a single religion or political party for life, instead each of us experiments much more with creating our own identities. In this postmodern world, our identities are no longer moulded by a process of socialization, instead we are constantly inventing our own selves.

Decline of previously dominant religions : 

Decline of previously dominant religions Modernity is associated with authoritative institutions which provide metanarratives, were information was interpreted by highly regarded religious authorities. Metanarratives are overarching belief systems which claim universal legitimacy and authority. Globalisation- the spread of people and ideas around the world- has resulted in a greatly increased exposure to rival metanarratives, including a wide range of contradictory religions and philosophies. Due to postmodenity, there has been a decline in authority of both established religious institutions and religious metanarratives.

A growth of fundamentalism in all world religions : 

A growth of fundamentalism in all world religions Fundamentalism is seen by followers as a return to the basics or fundamentals of religion. It often involves a literal interpretation of religious texts and strict moral codes of behaviour. People tend to look to the past, to a ‘golden age’ of religion, and use this as a template for the present future.

The spread of new religious organisations. : 

The spread of new religious organisations. Scientology Kabbalah Neo- Buddhist Rastafarianism

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Postmodern society encourages people to select religious beliefs and practices to suit their chosen identities. Traditional metanarratives have lost their authority.