The changing position and meaning of religion and the church in Western Europe-a sociological analys...

مرکز و کتابخانه مطالعات اسلامی به زبان های اروپایی

منو

" The changing position and meaning of religion and the church in Western Europe-a sociological analysis "
Gerard Dekker

Document Type	:	AL
Record Number	:	1083093
Doc. No	:	LA126722
Call No	:	‭10.1163/157430196X00220‬
Language of Document	:	English
Main Entry	:	Gerard Dekker
Title & Author	:	The changing position and meaning of religion and the church in Western Europe-a sociological analysis [Article]\ Gerard Dekker
Publication Statement	:	Leiden: Brill
Title of Periodical	:	Religion and Theology
Date	:	1996
Volume/ Issue Number	:	3/3
Page No	:	246–258
Abstract	:	The changes that have taken place in religious and ecclesiastical life in Western Europe are characterised as a process of secularisation. Secularisation encompasses three different processes, namely a decline in the religiosity of people, the restriction of the range of influence of religion and the adaptation of religion to the values of society. By means of these processes on three levels the developments with relation to religious life in its entirety can be described. Since changes in religious life are connected with changes in society and the culture of the society in which that religion functions, a better understanding of what secularisation entails demands that we look at those developments in society which have promoted changes in religion and the church. Developments in society that are discussed include the changed organisation of society and processes of rationalisation, democratisation and subjectivation. Finally, it is shown how these developments resulted in the diminishing significance of religion and the churches in and for society. The changes that have taken place in religious and ecclesiastical life in Western Europe are characterised as a process of secularisation. Secularisation encompasses three different processes, namely a decline in the religiosity of people, the restriction of the range of influence of religion and the adaptation of religion to the values of society. By means of these processes on three levels the developments with relation to religious life in its entirety can be described. Since changes in religious life are connected with changes in society and the culture of the society in which that religion functions, a better understanding of what secularisation entails demands that we look at those developments in society which have promoted changes in religion and the church. Developments in society that are discussed include the changed organisation of society and processes of rationalisation, democratisation and subjectivation. Finally, it is shown how these developments resulted in the diminishing significance of religion and the churches in and for society.
Location & Call number	:	‭10.1163/157430196X00220‬