Ch. 14 Lecture -Secular Modernity

CHAPTER 14 & 15: THE SACRED AND THE SECULAR IN THE MODERNITY

Exploration of the sacred (religions) facing challenges of modernity.
Modernity characterized by secularization of institutions (government, education) and growing pluralism and globalization.
Religions confronted by complex threats to traditional beliefs and practices.

Secularization: Process of decline in religious authority.
Fundamentalism: Reactionary movements resisting modernization.
Islamic: Related to the religion of Islam.
Shi’ites/Sunni Muslim: Two main branches of Islam.
Gush Emunim: Israeli religious organization.
Al-Qa'ida: Militant Islamist organization.
Jerry Falwell: Prominent American fundamentalist preacher.
Premillenarian: Belief in a future 1,000-year reign of Christ.
Creation Science: Advocacy of a literal interpretation of the Bible in the context of origins.
Theocratic: Relating to a government run by religious leaders.
Jihad: Struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam.
Wahhabism: A conservative reform movement within Sunni Islam.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini: Leader of the Iranian Revolution.
Osama bin Laden: Founder of al-Qaida.

Examination of secularization and its impact on religious institutions in the context of modernity.
Historical perspective:
- Traditional governance by religion gradually replaced by civil institutions post-Enlightenment.
- The Treaty of Westphalia (1648) marked the birth of the modern nation-state and the principle ‘cuius regio, eius religio’ (whose realm, his religion).
- This led to forced migrations, inflicted conversions, and imposed legal sanctions on religious minorities.

Doctrine promoting the separation of religion and politics to ensure freedom of belief and prevent religious interference in governance.
Aims for societal peace.

Nationalism emerged as a secular narrative, legitimizing the state as the legal identity of the people.
Monarchs needed to serve people’s interests rather than relying on divine right claims.

Revolution against enforced religious conformity in the struggle for secular acceptance, exemplified by strong doctrines like French laïcité.
Laïcité: Division between private life and public affairs affected by anticlerical ideologies in France.

French law established state secularism in 1905; declared France a secular republic in 1958.
Series of bans and restrictions (2004, 2011) against religious symbols in public spaces due to secular laws.

A surge in revitalization movements suggests significant changes rather than decline in religious practice.
Western world witnessing increased personal religious awareness and New Age movements; the Middle East seeing rise in Fundamentalist groups advocating for the establishment of religious states under Sharia Law.

Fundamentalism viewed as a reaction against modernization, seen as hostile to cultural values.
Groups within Islam and Judaism often reject the term 'fundamentalism' due to its association with movements like American Protestantism.
Shared characteristics among diverse fundamentalist groups include:
- A divinely mandated worldview; rooted in sacred texts (Torah, Qur'an, Bible).
- Perception of internal corruption necessitating militant resistance.

Emerged from a movement in U.S. Protestant denominations during the 1920s with lasting impacts on religious and social life.
Biblical inerrancy as a foundation for fundamentalist ideology; growing influence of groups such as the Southern Baptists.

Fundamentalism emphasizes biblical inerrancy,
1905 Niagara Conference outlined key doctrines including:
- Divinity of Jesus, Virgin Birth, and the bodily resurrection, among others.

Notable for media influence and founding Liberty University (1971) focusing on fundamentalist societal views.
Promoted "Creation Science" challenging evolution.

Falwell's view of a 1,000-year reign of Christ, reflecting nationalist and dualist ideologies regarding America's role in the world.