Anthroclan

Secularization; Perspectives from a sociological lens One of the major questions that arise in this context concerns the exact meaning of the term ‘secularization’. Two scholars have immense contributions in this regard: Karel Dobbelaere and the second, Jose Casanova. Dobbelaere, in his work (1981, 2002), distinguishes three attributes of secularization operating at different levels of society: the societal, the organizational and the individual. The focus is on functional differentiation at the societal level, implying that the sectors under the church's authority gradually began to disintegrate into independent bodies. People ceased to consider the Church as their basic provider of healthcare, education and social services. These responsibilities were taken up by the state, thus reducing the role (and perhaps the paramountcy) of the Church. It must, however, be remembered that this particular trend was restricted solely to the West. The scenario is radically different in ot

Definitions of Secularism  1. Peter Berger ;  “the process by which sectors of society are removed from the domination of religious institutions and symbols" 2. Andrew Copson’s  2017 book  ‘Secularism – Politics, Religion, and Freedom’ defines it using principles from the work of French historian and sociologist of secularism, Jean Baubérot:  1) separation of religious institutions from the institutions of the state, and no domination of the political sphere by religious institutions;  2) freedom of thought, conscience and religion for all, with everyone free to change their beliefs, and manifest their beliefs, within the limits of public order and the rights of others;  3) no discrimination against anyone on the grounds of their religion or non-religious worldview, with everyone receiving equal treatment on these grounds. 3.  Dietrich Bonheoffer;    Secularism lays emphasis on this world rather than the supernatural, behaviour rather than belief, freedom rath