A while ago I posted about the relationship between secularization and sacralization. Since then I've done some further reading on the different theories posited for the apparent contradiction between the secularization and sacralization theories. One theory is that we are experiencing a ‘relocation of religion’ rather than secularization. In other words, as mainstream religion loses authority, new forms of significant religion will evolve to compensate. I have explored this theory further here, but the basic premise is that disenchantment is the precursor to re-enchantment
Another way in which we can understand the complexity of the relationship between secularization and sacralization is through the Subjectivization Thesis.
This thesis seeks to explain the varied fortunes of different forms of religion and spirituality by reference to the process of subjectivization. The claim is that there has a subjective turn in contemporary western societies. None of these studies claim that the whole of western culture now subscribes to subjective-life values, but rather that the values of subjectivization are becoming increasingly more influential. The influence of this subjective turn is therefore outworked in peoples approach to religion and spirituality.
Underlying the subjectivization thesis is the Durkheimian principle which states that people are more likely to be involved with forms of spirituality that are ‘consistent with their ongoing beliefs and values.’ For examples in an egalitarian community it is unlikely that a hierarchical form of religion will become mainstream. Therefore in a society that is turning towards subjectivization then a historic religion that proposes objective truth will lose its significance.
The New Age movement has been able to successfully attract people who have made the subjective turn. Whereas tradition churches have seen decline because on the whole they have not been able to retain or attack subjective-life orientated people.
If we make the subjective turn within our churches we lose objective truth, but if we don't make the subjective turn then, according to the Durheimian principle, we will lose people...what way do we turn?
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