Secularization and Secularism Flashcards
_____________ refers to the historical process where the dualist system between “this world” and the sacramental structures mediating between this world and the other world progressively break down, leading to the disappearance of the medieval system of classification.
secularization, according to José Casanova
____________ is considered a “project,” indicating an ongoing and evolving process.
Secularization
What do scholars like Marx, Tönnies, Durkheim, and Weber suggest about the decline of religion?
They believed that religion would decline as modern social arrangements became the norm, though this decline has not fully occurred yet.
How does religion’s decline differ across countries, according to R. Inglehart’s “Giving Up on God”?
Religion tends to decline in high-income countries, with the exception of religious nationalism, such as in India.
How does secularization occur, according to the material?
Secularization doesn’t happen all at once; it occurs when countries attain high levels of existential security and is intergenerational, often linked to fertility and birth rates.
____________ is a political doctrine that separates religion and politics as a fundamental principle of governance, often in response to the “wars of religion.”
Secularism
How did the Peace of Westphalia (1648) shape the relationship between religion and governance?
The Peace of Westphalia established sovereign boundaries where religion was determined by the monarch and emphasized a balance of power in emerging Realpolitik.
“_____________” is a way of thinking about “the human” that had to occur before “secularism” could take root in contemporary societies. It is dependent on Western historical narratives and shapes political and social engagements, especially in terms of managing violence.
The secular, Talal Asad
_________is the principle that religion is a private matter, religious involvement in the public sphere is irrational, and political debates are largely stripped of religious narratives.
Laïcité
The ______________ refers to the balance between democratic freedom and religious autonomy, informed by the Lutheran doctrine of the two kingdoms: the temporal and spiritual spheres
“Twin Tolerations”
How does John F. Kennedy’s speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association relate to secularism?
Kennedy’s speech emphasized the separation between religious beliefs and public governance, aligning with the idea of secularism, particularly in the context of political discourse in the U.S.
The _____________ is the space where political and social matters are discussed and debated, and it involves participation under certain conditions (e.g., freedom of speech, access to information).
public sphere
Rawls’ concept of ______________ suggests that political decisions should be made based on shared reasons that all citizens can accept, regardless of their individual religious or philosophical beliefs.
“public reason”
Habermas argues that a _______________ of religious language into secular terms is necessary in the public sphere, and both religious and secular actors must work together to understand and engage in public discourse.
“translation”
What are some strengths and weaknesses of Habermas’ proposal for the public sphere?
Strengths: promoting dialogue and mutual understanding between religious and secular actors.
Weaknesses:challenges in translating complex religious concepts into secular language, potentially losing meaning or alienating participants.
