Secularization

The term secularization is not clearly defined, but is disputed. It comes from the Latin word saeculum, meaning „age,“ „century,“ but also „world“ or „worldly (minded)“ (DWDS 2019). One possible description is that of secularization as a worldview in which the notion of a God as a directing power, „has been replaced by a notion in which man himself is the source, ground, and standard of knowledge and action“ (Raes 1986, 31). Secularization thus means that „churches no longer offer a spiritual authority that regulates social structures as a whole“ (Valadier 1986, 35), but „man […] becomes the measure of all things“ (Schrey 1981, 4). This situation is present today in Germany as well as in most industrialized countries of the world. „Our culture is based on modern natural sciences and finds its expression in them“ (Raes 1986, 13).

Beginnings of secularization

It should not be forgotten that „our contemporary society is by no means in the process of becoming secularized only now“ (Raes 1986, 13). „Since the time of the Renaissance, it is no longer self-evident that secular power finds its justification in religion“ (Valadier 1986, 37). Already since the development of sciences that oppose mere faith with something else, secularization is also developing. „Explanatory models of the world based on natural science […] have existed […] for three and a half centuries“ (Raes 1986, 14). These have been elaborated and deepened more and more and since the „19th century finally […] the whole sensually perceptible reality, man himself included, has been the object of natural scientific analysis“ (Raes 1986, 14).

Finally, science attains such a high status that „[a]ll that which is not scientifically provable […] is systematically discarded and eliminated“ (Raes 1986, 17 f.). Secularization, for example, can be seen as „the result of man’s relationship to man and to nature“ (Valadier 1986, 36). No religion is necessary for this, but „[t]he anthropology takes the place of theology“ (Schrey 1981, 4).

Throughout time, however, secularization has encountered opposition and has been shaped by many historical events (cf. Schrey 1981, 2). For example, some people have felt threatened by the loss of a supposedly absolute certainty of ‚truth of faith‘ (cf. Schrey 1981, 1 f.). In addition, secularization itself has also changed, e.g., Schrey describes, „Secularization as the secularization of Christian concepts turns into secularism as a turning away from Christian origins.“ (Schrey 1981, 5)

Values and norms today

The secularization of a society, however, does not mean that it is free of values and norms. Even in non-religious contexts, „what is recognized, recommended, respected, and […] becomes the decision-making and orientation standard for social action“ (Raes 1986, 27). Thus, there are social rules even where secularization has taken hold. Secularization has had the effect that „those social values are clearly given priority“ (Raes 1986, 28) over religious values. These social values are not given by a higher power, but are in a sense an „agreement of the citizens“ (Valadier 1986, 36). As a result, the society of people is now in a „permanent conflict over the common bases of action“ (Valadier 1986, 40). This is also visible in today’s society, which is „clearly already the result of secularization“ (Raes 1986, 33).

However, not all religion has simply disappeared. Religions are still present, but have been and are being „relegated to the private sphere of the individual or the family“ (Raes 1986, 11). Thus, brought about by secularization, they no longer have a direct influence on the state and politics.

Literature

DWDS – Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache (ed.): Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. https://www.dwds.de/wb/s%25C3%25A4kularisieren [02 Feb. 2019].

Raes, Jean (1986): Secularization. In: Kerber, Walter (ed.): Secularization and Changing Values. Analyses and reflections on the social situation in Europe. Munich: Peter Kindt, 11-34 (= Fragen einer neuen Weltkultur. Publications of the Research and Study Project of the Rottendorf Foundation at the School of Philosophy, Vol. 2).

Schrey, Heinz-Horst (1981): Introduction. In: ders. (Ed.): Secularization. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1-48 (= Wege der Forschung, Vol. CDXXIV).

Valadier, Paul (1986): Critical questions on secularization. In: Kerber, Walter (ed.): Secularisierung und Wertewandel. Analyses and Reflections on the Social Situation in Europe. Munich: Peter Kindt, 35-52 (= Fragen einer neuen Weltkultur. Publications of the Research and Study Project of the Rottendorf Foundation at the School of Philosophy, Vol. 2).