Page 2: Spiritual Shopping and Religious Transformation
This page explores the concept of "spiritual shopping" and the individualization of religious belief in postmodern society.
Danièle Hervieu-Léger's theory of religious transformation emphasizes:
- A decline in institutional religion partly due to "cultural amnesia" - the loss of religious traditions passed down through generations.
- The undermining of traditional church authority due to trends toward social equality.
- The development of personalized "DIY" beliefs that align with individual interests and aspirations.
Vocabulary: Cultural amnesia refers to the loss of religious knowledge and traditions that were previously passed down through generations.
Hervieu-Léger argues that while traditional collective worship has declined, religion itself has not disappeared. Instead, it has been transformed by individual consumerism, leading to the concept of "spiritual shopping."
Definition: Spiritual shopping refers to the tendency of individuals to selectively choose religious or spiritual beliefs and practices from various traditions, creating personalized belief systems.
This individualization of religion has resulted in two new types of religious engagement:
- Pilgrims: Those who follow an individual path of self-discovery, often through New Age groups or personal therapy.
- Converts: Individuals who join religious groups offering a strong sense of belonging and community, such as evangelical movements.
Highlight: While religion may no longer serve as the primary source of collective identity, it continues to influence societal values and can be a source of cultural identity and social solidarity.
Example: Values such as equality and human rights, which have roots in religious traditions, can provide a sense of shared cultural identity even for those not actively religious.
The page concludes by noting the decline of traditional structures like the Church in modern society and the rise of individualism in religious expression and belief.
