What Secular Society Looks Like? and is Being Secular Unnatural? | Beyond Doubt review of ch. 4 & 5

What is it like to be a secular person and to live a secular life free of religion? Is it even possible? What about the opposition to religion? Is it reasonable to be antireligious? This video is reviewing chapters 4 and 5 of "Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society".
"Beyond Doubt" demonstrates that the secularization thesis is correct, and religion is losing its grip on societies worldwide
In the decades since its introduction, secularization theory has been subjected to doubt and criticism from a number of leading scholars, who have variously claimed that it is wrong, flawed, or incomplete. In Beyond Doubt, Isabella Kasselstrand, Phil Zuckerman, and Ryan T. Cragun mount a strong defense for the theory, providing compelling evidence that religion is indeed declining globally as a result of modernization.
Though defenses of secularization theory have been mounted in the past, we now have many years’ worth of empirical data to illuminate trends, and can trace changes not just at a given point in time but over a trajectory. Drawing on extensive survey data from nations around the world, the book demonstrates that, in spite of its many detractors, there is robust empirical support for secularization theory. It also engages with the most prominent criticisms levied against the theory, showing that data that are said to refute the narrative of religious decline are easily explainable and in keeping with the broader tendency toward secularization.
Beyond simply defending secularization theory, the authors endeavor to formalize it, offering clear definitions of relevant terms and creating propositions that can be repeatedly and accurately tested. Beyond Doubt offers the strongest argument to date for the existence of a global secularization trend, and will be a vital resource for students and scholars alike who study religion and secularism.
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#secularization #religious_decline #religious_studies #religiolog
Check out my other videos:
Part 1 - Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society by NYU Press 2023 | book review - • Is Religion Dying? Bey...
10 areas of Atheist Discrimination in the US. Atheophobia in America - • 10 areas of Atheist Di...
Religion's Sudden Decline by Ronald Inglehart - • Religion's Sudden Decl...
What is secularism? - • What is Secularism? 3 ...
History of Soviet Atheism - • History of Soviet Athe...
Bibliography/ Recommendations:
Kasselstrand, Zuckerman, and Cragun. 2023. Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society. NYU Press.
Ronald Inglehart. 2021. Religion’s Sudden Decline What's Causing it, and What Comes Next? Oxford University Press.
Norris, P., & Inglehart, R. (2011). Sacred and secular: Religion and politics worldwide. Rev. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press.
Voas, D., & Chaves, M. (2016). Is the United States a counterexample to the secularization thesis? American Journal of Sociology, 121(5), 1517-56.
Smolkin, Victoria. 2018. A Sacred Space Is Never Empty: A History of Soviet Atheism. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Bruce, Steve. 2011. Secularization: In Defense of an Unfashionable Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Zuckerman, Phil. 2020. Society Without God, 2nd Edition. New York, NY: New York University Press.

[@religiologEng]

Thank you for your likes, comments and support! Link to Part 1 of this book review - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHeVkHmveNp1odU Please, support Religiolog through a one-time donation: www.paypal.com/paypalme/relig... Or become my Patron: www.patreon.com/4religiolog

[@SpayAndNeuterChristians]

I really appreciate you.

[@alexander3845]

One of the best religious channels out there! ❤️ Keep up doing a great job! 💪🏼

[@religiologEng]

Thank you Alex! deeply appreciate your comment!

[@DenglischDocs]

A lot of great questions 🤔 Thanks for recommending the book! 🙏

[@religiologEng]

Thank you for the comment!

[@jamiegallier2106]

Appreciate the well defined description of secular philosophy and culture- and your insights. The study and breakdown of the book was fascinating. Thank you! I’m going get the book. Previous studies I’ve seen had seemed biased and incomplete, always favoring those most religious.

[@religiologEng]

Dear Jamie, thank you for your feedback. I am glad the review was helpful and I hope you watched the first part of the review.

[@azizpatel]

Being both a traditional scholar of religion, as well as having done an MA in the academic study of religion, I'm really impressed by the videos you produce. Please keep up the great effort you put into your work, as well as in providing extensive references.

[@religiologEng]

Thank you so much Aziz! All this requires lots of time. I have many ideas but very little time to realize them. But I'll keep doing my best. Also, I'd appreciate any help from your side - likes, comments, shares - in order to boost the channel. Thank you in advance!

[@modvs1]

I read a paper recently that concurred with (Norris, Inglehart/world values survey data) national level correlation with wealth and religiosity, but found no significant correlation at the individual level, based on studies of individual experiences of tragedy, resource deprivation, loss of a loved one, etc. There are many other good theoretical reasons to reject the existential threat hypothesis as being a significant driver of religiosity.

[@religiologEng]

yes, there are. Therefore, it is important to also explore religiosity among wealthy and happy people. Feel free to share such reasons or studies here in the comments.

[@user-yi7vr8wg5h]

It turns out that an online translator is a good thing.Thank you.Good content.

[@religiologEng]

oh, I'm glad it works out well

[@daletpave4123]

Once again, very nice video; both content and production wise. Liked and shared it. Hope you get to do many, many more. 👍

[@religiologEng]

I hope so too! Thank you for your help, Dalet!

[@SpayAndNeuterChristians]

Thank you for this work. Well done.

[@religiologEng]

Thanks for watching! Here is the link to part 1 of this review. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHeVkHmveNp1odU By the way how did you find this video?

[@victoriamathis4227]

Thank you, I'm very glad I've found you online.

[@religiologEng]

Hi Victoria, now we are friends on Facebook. Please enjoy the channel and help to share some of your favorite videos. On the channel you may find lots of interesting stuff and many more to come.

[@religiologEng]

by the way, if you check my playlist with Shorts then just in 10-12 minutes you may get lots of interesting info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5O5iZKXbrR5e5Y

[@Knowledge_Seeker64]

I’m guessing the reason that secular people outside of secularized nations have strong values and dedication to certain things is because their values and dedication led them to lack of belief, not the other way around. Same goes for people who transition between religions, who have to think deeply to question the way they were raised. Meaning that the reason that apostates identify with non-belief more than lifers is because of attrition bias, where everyone in a believing community that keeps believing the same way is selected out, and everyone who changes belief is selected in (with focus on religious dones). No such attrition exists in communities of lifers.

[@religiologEng]

thank you for sharing your thoughts

[@douglasemsantos]

I spent many years being very religious, and when I left the church, at first I thought I would need another church to be happy and fulfilled. Years have passed and I don't attend nor miss going to the church, and I believe having a more secular society would be helpful for everyone. But since I have religious roots, I still can't figure out how to raise a kid without ever talking about religion. How would you explain God to a child, being secular? I still haven't reached the point where religion is 100% not an issue

[@religiologEng]

Thank you for your question. Please check this sources: Manning, Christel. 2015. Losing Our Religion: How Unaffiliated Parents Are Raising Their Children. NYU Press. Bengtson, Vern L., Norella M. Putney, and Susan Harris. 2013. Families and Faith: How Religion is Passed Down across Generations. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Christina, Gretta. 2014. Coming Out Atheist: How to Do It, How to Help Each Other, and Why. Pitchstone Publishing.

[@douglasemsantos]

@@religiologEng thank you for the sources! I'll check them out.

[@voicegea3995]

I think you should research and talk about China and North Korea, that's the Atheist Majority country, it would be an interesting study.

[@religiologEng]

thanks for recommendation, where do I get such data?

[@daletpave4123]

Well, what's stopping you? Why wait on someone else if you're so interested? 🤷

[@voicegea3995]

Wow my comments got deleted over and over again, search the guy who make "why is she crying ? China dark side" And watch the people who go to North Korea and releveal stuff how people living in there

[@voicegea3995]

@@religiologEng Sorry for some reason my comment got deleted, this is the 6th time I comment ! hopefully this one not deleted, search the guy who make video "why is she crying ? China dark side" And watch the people who go to North Korea and releveal stuff how people living in there Seems like when I mention the channel name that make "why is she crying ? China dark side" KZbin delete it

[@religiologEng]

got you! Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out.