Religion and Modernity from the Viewpoint of Anthony Giddens

Subject Areas : Christianity

فریبا طشت زر ¹ , حسین حیدری ² , جواد روحانی رصاف ³

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Received: 2014-09-06 Accepted : 2012-10-22 Published : 2012-03-20

Keywords: Anthony Giddens, early modernity, late modernity, religion, secularization, new religious movements, religious fundamentalism,

Abstract :

The theory of “late modernity” is the key to understand Giddens’thought on religion and his critique of early sociologists. According toGiddens, religion has had two different phases in early and latemodernity. The misunderstanding of the nature of the early modernityled to some wrong predictions about the future of religion as somesociologists claimed that religion would eventually disappear. Howeverin late modernity, given its specific characteristics, appeal for religionand spirituality has increased. By surveying the outcomes of themodernity and criticizing the views of early sociologists (such as Marx,Durkheim and Weber) Giddens asserts that religion is not going to beabolish. Nevertheless, religious revival of late modernity does notindicate that religion will return to its traditional condition. Acompromise between modernity and religion could be possible,provided that religion undergoes ongoing reflexivity and dialogue.