Post by maruf on Aug 14, 2005 0:20:44 GMT -5
Why society and religion must be One.
This is an excerpt from a text on the sociology of religion. These comments by the editor were based on an article written by a sociologist named Peter Berger. The title of the article is Secularization and pluralism. This is not a new article, just one buried in the books where the truth comes out about secularism. He also points out that Islam, unlike Christianity, was not opposed to modernization and technology. The theory of secularization implies that modernization and technology will bring secularization. However, Islaam goes hand and hand with science and technology, thus the theory of secularization does not apply to Islaam. What it came from was of course the reformation, renaissance, and enlightenment in Europe and Christianity.
The most important points to understand are his words below on what secularism does to religious thoughts in the individual. Especially, the secular society, which undermines one’s religion or faith—one’s religious belies simply are not backed up in society. This makes it clear that in order for there to be no conflict between the individual and his Deen (religious ideology,), i.e. harmony and peace, he has to have it implemented in society for it to reach significance and for it to impact him and others in society. If not, he will constantly be undermined by the institutions that are secular.
Ma'ruf
“Berger further argues that a meaning system works most seamlessly when it is shared throughout society. For a meaning system to stick—for it to remain plausible to believers—it needs support form other social institutions (e.g., legal systems, economic and political systems, social systems). It is one thing for your religion to tell you not to step on bugs, but is entirely another for the legal system and your friends to punish you for doing so. The beliefs are more plausible if they are espoused by other people and built into different social institutions, and maintaining belief is less problematic when others support our beliefs.”
“A meaning system that is neither shared nor supported by other social arrangements has a shaky "plausibility structure," and is more likely to be consciously adhered to than taken for granted. Berger is interested in the effects of religious Pluralism on how people experience religion, particularly on the plausibility of religious meaning systems. His work should get you thinking about the nature and status of religious belief in a society that has multiple, competing belief systems.”