Invisible Religion
Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Service Examination.
Relevance : Sociology Paper -1 , Unit – Religion & Society
Invisible Religion
- “The Invisible Religion: The Problem of Religion in Modern Society” is a book penned by German sociologist Thomas Luckmann. delves into the concept of invisible religion born out of the challenges faced in maintaining traditional religious practices amid the societal upheavals brought about by the industrial revolution.
- Luckmannn challenges the notion that modern life is devoid of religion. Instead, he asserts a transformation from the older, Church-centered form of religion to a newer, invisible, and largely unexplored form.
- He contends that the secularization process, often seen as a crisis for ecclesiastic-oriented religion by some sociologists, is an irreversible shift. Furthermore, Luckmann broadens the scope of religion, asserting that one’s worldview, considered an objective reality, constitutes an essential aspect of religious experience.
- He critically explores the idea that modern life, far from being inherently irreligious, necessitates a shift in focus from the perceived “irrationality” of religion to the “rationality” inherent in contemporary life. Luckmann investigates the institutionalization of religion in the post-Constantine church and the emergence of a new, “privatized” form of social religion within industrial Western societies
Features of Invisible Religion:
- Origin: The Industrial Revolution prompted substantial societal changes, leading people to alter their residences, workplaces, habits, and worldviews. Traditional religious practices associated with ecclesiastical religion became challenging to maintain. For instance, church attendance in England dwindled from 40% in the 1850s to 10% by 1970.
- Relevance of Religion: Despite diminishing faith in orthodox religious elements, religion continued to serve essential functions such as social integration and solidarity. Studies, like Kaufman’s, suggest that while church attendance declined, the number of believers remained stable.
- Reinterpretation: The rise of individualism has led to personal interpretations of religious doctrines. For example, the belief that ‘Children are a form of God’ has shifted the focus from regular religious practices to individual expressions of compassion.
Forms of Invisible Religion:
- Civic Religion: Involves a religious or quasi-religious reverence for civic values and traditions. Symbols like the flag and national anthem are accorded similar respect and faith as traditional religious symbols.
- Revivalism: Religious activities experience a resurgence, resembling 19th-century movements. This includes the incorporation of religious elements into modern political speeches and public monuments.
- New Sects: Deprived sections of society may create voluntary, exclusive religious groups based on imported values. The example of Dera Sacha Sauda sect in North India illustrates this phenomenon.
- Cultural Importation: Small voluntary groups adopt established religions from different parts of the world. This reflects the idea that a religion dominant in one region can find a cult-like following elsewhere.
- States: While states may adhere to civic religion in public, individuals often follow their private religious scriptures, particularly in personal matters such as marriage and adoption.
- Communalism: In the context of invisible religion, communalism involves a strong allegiance to one’s religious group over society as a whole. It can lead to stereotyping and discrimination against religious minorities.
- Fundamentalism: This involves strict adherence to a set of principles or beliefs, often in opposition to rationalism and humanism. An example is cow vigilantes targeting beef-caters without resorting to legal channels.
Conclusion:
While the theory of secularization has garnered widespread support, doubts persist. Opponents argue that religion remains a significant force in new and unfamiliar forms, emphasizing that it is not merely a cognitive system of dogmas but also a meaningful experience.
Reference: Static Portion
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
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