Summary Of Peter Berger's The Secularization Of The World

Improved Essays
Summary In Peter Berger’s The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics, he did an excellent job in given his readers a deeper understanding of how religion and secularization has been affecting the political aspects that are in society. Berger uses the history located behind religion and secularization to outline the distinctions between the two for his readers to grasp a better understanding of what is going on. Berger makes his stance on the matter clear, “religion loses social and cultural significance” even when the world is advancing into modern ways. Throughout the text it becomes evident that Berger’s goal is to scrutinize secularization, discrediting it. If Berger wanted to leave the reader with one thing, it would initially be that readers understand the progressive modernization that is in the world provides the evidence that is needed to be able to reinforce the religion in politics.
Critique
…show more content…
One of Berger’s views that are considered weak is when describes Judaism. Berger is very passionate about covering the Judaism portion of his book, he even talks about the Jews and their continued existence but he leaves the reader questioning if he stance is firm. Merely in a quick bible search he would of found a verse proclaiming the promise that he beloved people would indeed last forever thus, supporting his stance…I will plant Israel in their own land, no longer shall they be pulled up, from the land I have given them, says the Lord your God. If he had utilize this verse by incorporating it into his discussion, his stance would have been made to the readers which would have been a strengthener for his argument favoring the continuity of the

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    “Commentary” Response “Commentary” is an article written and presented by Ben Stein, a comedian who doubles as a political and cultural activist. This article was written specifically to discuss the issues in today’s Western culture concerning religion and the way it is perceived by the general population. Stein seeks to defend religion in the face of an endless torrent of unacceptance and blame from society, and tries his best to convey his message for change to the audience. Ever since the beginning of recorded history, humans have shown a natural instinct to learn. Our very nature dictates that our curiosity must always be satisfied, and that for every answered question two more must rise to take its place.…

    • 1381 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The theme of conservatism versus progressivism is a classic in the discourse of the role of religion in society. Although most liberal societies insist that the church and the state are separated, the fact that religion does play a crucial role in political socialization is undeniable. Since religious characteristics can be channeled into political action, religion is considered as a component of politicization (Wald, 29). Nevertheless, “Doubt” reassembles the dichotomous theme of conservatism versus progressivism, which is not under the context of the church versus the state but within the church itself. Thus, the clash between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn is not only a religious and moral confrontation, but also a political one.…

    • 247 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Stephen Prothero’s Religious Literacy, the author gives us an insight into the controversy of teaching religion in United States’ public schools. Prothero’s premise is that we as a nation of supposed religious citizens are actually lacking in any real knowledge of the core teachings of the many world religions, “I am convinced that one needs to know something about the world’s religion in order to be truly educated”(Prothero 11). Is this lack of religious knowledge at the core of the intolerance that is so pervasive in our nation and threatens to continually drive us apart? At the core of Prothero’s book is that we all need religious literacy in order to truly be effective citizens, and being effective citizens we must realize that religion…

    • 1170 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Religious politics can be explained as the activation of religion through specific political issues. It affects citizens on an individual level. Through the inclusion of high intensity…

    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Comprehending religion in an unbiased and thorough manner can be an ordeal that unintentionally highlights certain Western viewpoints. Although politics, economics, and psychology can be used to explain the causes human religious activity, limiting our study to solely these factors ignores a fundamental institution in which humans engage: religion. Studying the People’s Temple phenomenologically gives way to understanding it without letting societal norms cloud our judgement. Chidester’s approach to religion as “that human ability to symbolize whatever may be held to be sacred”(48) allows for a respectful study of the People’s Temple, recognizing that “religious worldviews create context for the construction of human identity” (48). Calling the People’s Temple a cult rather than embracing it as a religion dehumanizes those who believed in the ideals of the People’s Temple, stripping them of a legitimate and crucial aspect to their identities.…

    • 994 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    There is a need for constant evolution in any society, but one of the hardest things to change in any culture is the ideas of the people. The use of religion in the evolution can have great effects on the change. It can both hinder and excel the ideas of society in both the right and wrong direction. The writing of Matthew Scully, and Harriot Beecher show both the misuses of religion, and support their claims by showing how it may be used in the betterment of the world. They do this by utilizing two distinct strategies in their writings.…

    • 1149 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    However, if a religious organization is established, it cannot participate in any political activities. Countries such as The Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Germany, and France have a large population of people who reject belief in God. Numerous surveys are taken to try to determine why there is such a high rate of secularism in the world. Some of the surveys are attributing it to higher standards of living, social safety nets; people don’t seek assistance from the churches, surprisingly education, and conversations about augments against the existence of God.…

    • 1005 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Sacred Canopy Analysis

    • 1333 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Individuals want to have meaning, so religion plays that specific role by creating and preserving that for individuals in society. What Berger focuses on as important in the first part of the book is that humans need to have meaning and order. He also discusses the ways that humans function with religion as a way to shield themselves. In the second part of the book Peter Berger examines, the process of secularization and how it can have an impact on religious traditions involving individuals within society.…

    • 1333 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    In addition, secularization can occur on two separate levels: one on the individual awareness level and the other occurs on the level of society. Many religious institutes lost their power or influence within the public sphere. For example, the percentages of people going to churches declined from 40% in 1858 to 7% in 2005, (Lecture, 15, Feb.). Yet, religious beliefs both old and new are still sustained in the lives of many people. Sometimes by taking different new kinds of influential forms and it may lead sometimes to great religious upsurges.…

    • 1651 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    In his book Fundamentalism, Steve Bruce starts by admitting that religion is a “very rich diet” for most. Most people are not willing to put their entire lives into religious traditions and choose instead to practice religion with few rituals, helping fund their religious communities, and trying to work with what their religious leaders say is a moral, good life. After all, not everybody can be a monk or priest, as there have always needed to be people keeping the secular life functioning, tending the farms and running the local shops, so very early on there became a clear divide in spiritual labor. In the text, Bruce introduces a group that is eager to consume the “rich diet”, a group of people that he calls the “modern religions zealots”,…

    • 1672 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Politics and the Wars of Religion By: Phillip Ableidinger, Jin Johnson, and Matthew Kellen “Discuss the relationship between politics and religion by examining the wars of religion. Choose three specific examples from the following: the Dutch Revolt, the French wars of religion, the English Civil war, and the Thirty Years’ war.” Politics and religion have for long been two sides of the same coin. Although it’s easy to dismiss their relationship as desultory or ineffectual, it has jointly wielded considerable power on the geopolitical stage; perhaps even single handedly changing the course of modern European history. The partnership between church and state cannot be understated, having been the main cause of power-struggles, societal collapse and power shifts throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.…

    • 903 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    All throughout history, religion has played an instrumental role in determining the way people choose to live their lives. Whether it be by uniting groups of people across the world or isolating those who are afraid of opposing beliefs, religion has a tremendous impact on society and the way that it functions. The blurred line that connects religion and society has evolved over time, proving that religion is no longer what dictates the rules people must follow, specifically in culturally diverse areas around the world. In literature, authors have been able to highlight how the influence of religion on society has changed over time, through the development of their characters and the time periods they belong to. In works such as The Crucible,…

    • 1275 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Peter Berger Sociology

    • 1103 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In this encyclopedic entry, I intend to highlight and critically discuss the key sociological concepts presented by Peter L Berger. Berger provides an interesting case in which his work develops empirical arguments both for and against the theory of secularization. By looking at his two major books, The Sacred Canopy and The Desecularization of the World, this account will be looking at his theory of religious world-construction, his key arguments of secularization and later his arguments of religious revival. I will also be acknowledging the large influence he has had on other studies and the field of sociology as a whole. Firstly, a brief biographical account will be given of Berger’s life to deepen our understanding of the context behind…

    • 1103 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Religion occurs where ever societies exist, from the Sumerians and the Ancient Egyptians right through to modern society religion is everywhere. This essay will look at religion from a sociological perspective and try to answer whether or not Britain is becoming a more secular society. When it comes to religion sociologists, unlike theologists and philosophers, are not as interested in the details of religions themselves, but in what effects religion has on its particular society. The sociological study or religion is separate from the philosophical approach, which is concerned with such questions as the nature and existence of God and the relationship between God and science (William Alston, 1967), in that it does not seek to answer whether or not there, is any validity to religious beliefs. Sociologist Peter L Berger (1967) coined the term ‘methodological atheism’ to describe the process needed in comparing the different beliefs of various religions.…

    • 1079 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bruce talks about how religion plays a huge part on what we see today. Every group has their own views on different matters. People today debate if women should have an abortion. They argue about when life starts and if it’s morally wrong to kill a fetus. “Fundamentalists were provoked into campaigning by cultural and social changes that reminded them of their increasing marginality: the black consciousness, feminist, anti-Vietnam war, gay rights and hippy movements; increasing sexual submissiveness and recreational drug use; mass media portrayals of sexuality; the legalization of abortion and the acceptability of divorce” (Bruce 73).…

    • 1057 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays