Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society

Sociology professors Kasselstrand, Zuckerman (Society Without God), and Cragun (What You Don’t Know About Religion [but Should]) examine the rise of secularization in this edifying entry. The trend is global, they write: in South Korea, 42.6% of those born before 1940 attend monthly religious services, while only 17.6% of those born after 1990 do the same; Poland and Ireland have seen similar declines, aided by the Catholic church’s weakened influence; and only 47% of Americans report being a member of a place of worship, down from 73% in 1940. The authors trace the shift to two main drivers: “differentiation,” or the separation of religion from arenas such as politics and education, and “rationalization,” or the emphasis on modern, scientific ideals. They also debunk ideas about secularization, such as the notion that humans are “born believers.” In fact, they write, secularism has existed “at least as long as there has been religion.” The authors predict secularism will continue to rise, and while they don’t anticipate religion’s extinction, it will “become less prevalent... and [less] taken-for-granted.” The authors draw on rich empirical evidence and careful analysis to make their case, and the global perspective is both ambitious and rewarding. Religion students and scholars will find this illuminating. (May)