Modernity does not mean religion inevitably retreats, say panelists

Published: 2007-12-10

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Modern life does not inevitably entail the retreat of religion from the public forum, concluded participants in a Dec. 5 Fordham University panel discussion on the myths and realities of secularization. Those who equate modernization with secularization oversimplify the argument and fail to distinguish between social theory and actual examples found in diverse countries around the world, they said. The discussion between Peter Steinfels, co-director of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture, and Jose Casanova, professor of sociology at New School University in New York, drew an audience of 200 people to the Lincoln Center campus of the Jesuit-run university. It was co-sponsored by the department of sociology and anthropology and the religion and culture center. Secularization, which once referred to the movement of priests from monasteries to parishes, is now generally understood as a society's movement away from religious influence as its primary guiding force. Steinfels said the discussion of secularization engages many people, some of whom fearfully equate it with a loss of religion and heritage. Casanova said one could argue the world is growing both more secular and more religious.

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