Does Secularization Matter?

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Authors

Porpora, Douglas V.

Issue Date

2018

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Journal Article

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Abstract

Does it matter whether the world – or a portion of the world – secularizes? That is the question this paper addresses. The answer depends in part on what secularization means. The paper begins by summarizing the different meanings attached to the notion of secularization and focusing on the presence of religion in the public sphere and in the hearts of individuals. The paper goes on to challenge the views of the new atheists, who tend to align religion with fundamentalism. From there it proceeds to examine how religion engenders a sense of moral purpose that can show up in the public sphere as pursuit of justice. Without some metaphysical grounding for social justice, the paper argues, there is a danger of a macro-moral disconnect that leaves morality resident solely in the private sphere.|Keywords: secularization; privatization of religion; religion and public sphere; new atheism; social justice

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Citation

Porpora, D. V. (2018). Does Secularization Matter?. Supplement Series for the Journal of Religion & Society Supplement Series, 17, 32-53.

Publisher

Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Center, Creighton University

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The journal is open-access and freely allows users to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of all published material for personal or academic purposes.

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1941-8450

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