Assess the View That the Nature of Religion Is Changing

Submitted by: Submitted by

Views: 25

Words: 672

Pages: 3

Category: Societal Issues

Date Submitted: 03/21/2015 01:07 PM

Report This Essay

Postmodernism deals with the idea that religion is changing rather than declining, these changes are largely due to the changes in the modern society such as increase in individualism and consumerism which has decreased the role of religion in today’s society.

Postmodernist claim that the nature of religion has changed to something we consume. Religion Is now a commodity, a product rather than something that is passed down in generations, as a result has made people in the modern society into spiritual shoppers and devalued the role of religion in an individual’s life. This is reinforced by Lyon and castells who claim that modern agents of socialisation such as religion, no longer define who we are, rather our identity becomes a construction site in which we can now choose our identity. This suggests that the function of religion has also changed, as it is more about individual fulfilment and choosing a religion that suits the individual needs and lifestyles. For example Madonna pics n Mixes her identity through a mix of a catholic name, wears a crucifix, and follows kabala a Jewish mystism and the Hindu peace sign tattooed on her hand.

In addition, another factor that shows nature of religion changing is the fact that it has changed into something that we consume through signs and symbols. This is reinforced by Baudrillard who claims that sign and symbols of religion no longer have a fixed meaning and have become unattached to its meaning. Therefore, people now use and interpret the symbol for their own purpose. Hence illustrating how the role of religion is changing. However, some may argue that people experiencing poverty and hardship will have a different take on what religion means to them. This suggests that the role of religion is declining.

Postmodernist used the concept of metanarratives to explain how the nature and role of religion have both changed. Meta narratives are grand explanations or big stories of modern society. Religion is an example of a...