Religion and Modernity in the French Context: For a New Approach to Secularization

The notion that religion and modemity ate mutuaUy exclusive has been a leading theme oŸ the sociology of religion in France and has been amply confirmed by empirical studies of religious practice, clerical vocations, and parish culture. But recent work on popular religion, post-1968 ideological communities, and new religious movements has caUed the presumption of secularization into question. In fact, the theoretical argument can now be advanced that, ... from being antithetical to modernity, these "renewals" of religion are in harmony with modemity, especially in respect to the private and individualistic character o... their beliefs and the fluidity of their organizational forros. Modemity therefore generates its own forros of religion by creating and filling the gaps between rational certainties. Modemity arouses expectations that ir cannot satisfy without stimulating the religious imagination. Secularization is no longer simply the "decline" of religion but is the process whereby religion organizes itself to meet the challenges left by modemity.