Postmodernism

What is Postmodernism?
Postmodernism is very difficult to define and there is a lot of controversy over exactly
what it means. Scholars infinitely more clever than me debate over it’s definition! But
this is an overview, there is a lot more online if you’re interested

• Mid/late 20th century movement that followed modernism

• Modernism was about having absolute truths in a wide range of different areas
e.g. science, ideology, philosophy etc. These claims of absolute truths are
known as meta-narratives (or grand narratives). Communism, atheism,
Christianity are all meta-narratives.
• Postmodernism however emphasises the existence of different world views
and concepts of reality, with no set ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. Meta-narratives are seen
as subjective, flawed accounts and instead mini-narratives are formed. Mini-
narratives are temporary, situational ideas that don’t claim to have universal
truth.
• Andrew Wright “postmodernism is the rejection of those imperialistic attitudes
that so arrogantly attempted to colonise, patronise and marginalise”
• Apparent realities are recognised as social constructs not absolute truths.
• Andrew Wright “we no longer have to conform to any pre-established norm
but instead are free…to continually construct our own personal realities”
Much of the development on post-modernism came from France, and 3 scholars
in particular:
1. Lyotard. It was this scholar the devised the word meta-narratives to represent
the stories people tell to explain the whole of reality, be they political,
philosophical, artistic etc. The two dominating meta-narratives in western
thoughts are Christianity and Natural/Evolutionary Science. This approach is
flawed because human reason is unable to provide us with any sure and
certain knowledge of the world.
2. Derrida – we are caught up in a linguistic labyrinth which is misleading. We
use words to describe what we think is ultimate realities e.g. a scientist uses
language to describe their experience of ultimate reality of the physical world,
a theologian use language to describe what they think is the ultimate reality of
God etc. Despite it sounding like absolute truths all we are creating is
subjective mini-narratives which constantly change
3. Foucault – modernist knowledge is not neutral or objective as people claim
but is bound up with social, economic, political and psychological power
structures. Knowledge can’t be separated from propaganda.
The meaning of the phrase “God is Dead”
• This is a quote from Nietzsche was has become iconic and representative
of the decline of religion however it is much misunderstood.
• Nietzsche did not like Christianity but he was not exactly an atheist either,
he hated militant atheists like J.S.Mill.
• The phrase ‘God is dead’ is spoken by his character the madman in two of
his books ‘The Gay Science’ and ‘Thus Spake Zarathustra’
• It means that God is no longer relevant to society, that modern lifestyles
and knowledge have made God redundant, squeezed him out.
• Modern knowledge in particular can answer some questions which religion
always claimed to have the truth about, as such the need for God is
decreasing.
• Nietzsche has influenced post-modernist thinking on religion a great deal.
Postmodernist view of religion
Religion as cultural constructs
• Postmodernism rejects the absolute truth claims of all religions
• Sociologist Durkheim argues that religion is a product of the
society in which it developed
• Religion also serves a role within society e.g. communion
unifies people and brings communities together through shared
experience
• Religions should be deconstructed (Derrida) and understood as
relative, subjective accounts rather than absolute truths
• Lyotard believes that religions were the logical interpretations
of the nature of reality as understood by that culture
• As they are relative the different religions are compatible.
No right or wrong religion
• Os Guinness wrote “There is no truth, only truths. No grand reason,
only reasons. There is no privileged civilisation only a multiplicity of
cultures, beliefs, norms and styles”
• Postmodernism teaches tolerance of all religions and pluralism.
• Postmodernism implies agnosticism as opting for anything more
definite would be moving towards a meta-narrative and ‘closing oneself
off to the other’ (Derrida)
• Caputo talks about “religion without religion” that is without the
confined of dogmas and certainties but with a genuine love for/belief in
God.
• Postmodernism is also uncertain about precisely what God means. This
element of mystery is found in most faiths. Augustine wrote “is love our
best name for God or God our best name for love?”
Religion as a personal spiritual search
• With no religion seen as true it is up to the individual to select their own
mini-narrative that most resonates with them.
• James Beckford: “at the supermarket of faith, the consumer seeks to pick
and mix religious items to match their commitment and faith”
• New Age spirituality is based on this individualistic approach. Paul
Heelas calls it “an eclectic hotpotch of beliefs, practices and ways of
life”
• The line between what is religious and what is secular is blurred.
• Cuppitt was a postmodern anti-realist who therefore felt God really
existed but as an idea within believers rather than an external, objective
being.
• God can be seen a symbol of our spiritual life and following a religious
life helps us to achieve self-perfection.
Living rather than intellectual faith
• Religious beliefs should be based on faith, not facts.
• Postmodernists would not support religions which try to prove
their authenticity with facts and reasons.
• Caputo: “religious belief is not a formula to recite but a deed to
do”
• Jesus called people into action i.e. “love thy neighbour” rather
than legalism. It is how you live your life that matters.
• Andrew Wright: “the heart of Christianity is not a set of
dogmas but a transformed life”
So, is postmodernism FOR or AGAINST
religion?
Postmodernism affirms religion:
 Most religions emphasise the impact of living out faith
 Broadly in line with the Quaker outlook which has no religious creed and is
pluralistic
 God is described as transcendent and ineffable (William James) which entails
that he can’t be contained within the boundaries of human knowledge. This is
broadly in line with the postmodernist embrace of mystery and rejection of
absolutes.
 The absolute claims of atheism are countered and deconstructed by post-
modernism in the way absolute faith claims are.
 Derrida’s emphasis on ‘openness to the other’ preserves the possibility of a
religious/spiritual dimension.
 Postmodernism fits well with new religious movements, spirituality etc.
 Harvey Cox’s book ‘The future of faith’ shows that Christians have began to
reject dogma and embrace spirituality
Postmodernism threatens religion
The rejection of any absolute or universal truths directly contradicts the key
teachings of many religions. Christians say that Jesus is ‘the Way, the Truth and
the Light’. All religions no matter how pluralistic make some sort of truth claim.
Them most postmodernists can say is that they are open to the possibility of God,
this agnosticism may not be seen as enough.
Cuppitt’s anti-realist approach asserts that there is no objective existence of God.
Arguably this is agnosticism in all but name.
Without any absolute truths there can’t be moral teachings e.g. 10
commandments, natural law, even things such as Situation Ethics which is based
on the meta-narrative of love.
The pick’n’mix approach turns believers into consumers and faith into a product.
It removed any need for someone to be loyal to their God or their faith which is
often a fundamental teaching at the heart of each religion.
When you broaden out the definition of religion too much it become meaningless.