RELIGION IN THE

AGE
OF
SECULARIZATION THESIS
RECONSIDERED
Peter L. Berger (1999) briefly
summarized the thesis of secularism:
“Modernization necessarily leads to
‘decline of religion,’ both in society
and in the minds of individuals” (p. 2).
SECULARIZATION THESIS
RECONSIDERED
With secularization, religious beliefs
cannot compete with the intellectual
credibility of both natural and social
science. Religious beliefs are made
relative to one’s private belief.
SECULARIZATION THESIS
RECONSIDERED
It is sufficient to claim a religious
belief as ‘true for me’ for it to be
recognized as in some way valid. Yet
scientific statements are considered
“truths.”
PENTECOSTALISM

The term Pentecostal is

derived from Pentecost, the
Greek name for the Jewish
Feat of Weeks.
FUNDAMENTALISM

Fundamentalist groups fear that the

church or their faith is threatened by the
advancements of science and humanistic
values of society. They feel that if science
replace religion, the it will lead to moral
relativism that would permit all forms of
immoral behaviors and practices.
EDUCATION AND
SOCIAL
REPORODUCTION
EDUCATION AND
PERPETUATION OF
INEQUALITIES
Another social institution that has the
pervasive influence in shaping the minds
of the younger generation is education. It
refers to the formal and informal process
of transmitting the knowledge, belief and
skills from one generation to the next,
EDUCATION-BASED
MERITOCRACY
It is the belief that education is the
great equalizer and the key to succeed
in life.
CREDENTIALISM

It refers to the common practice of

relying on earned credentials when
hiring staff or assigning social status
rather than on actual skills.
LINGUISTIC CODES
In an analysis extended by Basil Bernstein, difference
of restricted and elaborated code was tackled.
ex: Teacher: Why do you think people watch horror
movies?
Student (using restricted code): Thrill!
Student (Using elaborated code): Because by watching
it, people get the feeling of being horrified and afraid.
EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Lack of education has adverse impact
on the life course of individuals and
their well being. Education serves as a
human capital for society that
produces skilled and learned citizens.