4) Religion, renewal and choice (Postmodernism

• alternatives to secularisation theory:

  • late modernity and postmodernity - religion is not declining but merely changing as society develops.
  • religion market theory - secularisation is only one stage of a constant cycle of secularisation, religious revival and renewal.
• reject - secularisation thesis that religion must inevitably decline in modern society.

  rather they believe changes in religion are largely the result of changes in wider society eg. consumerism or moving to a postmodern society.


  Example: Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster:

  • New Religion Movement
  • Holy Book
  • no judgement on same-sex marriage
  • place of worship is in the home