Some considerations on the future of secularization

• Author: Daniela Sorea
• Position: Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 93-106

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 10 (59) No. 2 - 2017

SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON THE

FUTURE OF SECULARIZATION

Daniela SOREA1

Abstract: The paper proposes a counter-secularization hypothesis based

on a holistic approach to the world, as suggested by contemporary physics.

Such a representation defuses the negative correlation between intelligence

and religiosity. Thus, the paper highlights the main dimensions of

contemporary religiosity, as well as those of the relation between religiosity

and secularisation. Moreover, it critically approaches the counter-

secularization hypothesis that is anchored in the genetic determination of

intelligence, religiosity and fertility.

Key words: secularization, religiosity, quantum physics.

1. Introduction

Specialists differ on secularization and its future. This paper is based on the holistic

approach suggested by the discoveries in physics made during the past century and aims

at formulating a counter-secularization hypothesis. The first part outlines the main

theoretical approaches to religiosity. The second part critically presents a counter-

secularization hypothesis based on the correlations between intelligence, religiosity and

fertility as highlighted by specialized literature. In the end, it presents arguments in

favour of an alternate counter-secularization hypothesis.

2. Features of Contemporary Westerners’ Religiosity

The recent research on the Westerners’ religion and religiosity predominantly

approaches the topics of secularization, privatization of faith and spirituality. The

borders of these topics are not strictly established. For instance, the privatization of faith

can be considered a part of the secularization process, as well as an argument for

contesting secularization. The revitalization of pre-Christian religions sabotages

Christianity, yet it maintains the Westerners’ religiosity. Spirituality may be considered

both a genre and an alternative to the official religion.

The paper presents a few theoretical positions considered to be relevant for the current

stage in the research of these topics and their interpenetrations.

2.1. Defining Dimensions of the Secularization

On the Weberian original line, the term is used in the socio-humanistic papers with three

1 Transilvania University of Braşov, sorea.daniela@unitbv.ro