Why there is no way back for religion in the West | David Voas | TEDxUniversityofEssex
TEDx Talks・10 minutes read
Religion is declining in the Western world, attributed to generational replacement and modernization, resulting in less religious belief and importance in life across various countries. This trend is seen in New Zealand and the United States, with younger generations less religious than older ones, suggesting an irreversible secular transition.
Insights
- Younger generations in the Western world are less religious than their parents, leading to a decline in religious affiliation, belief, participation, and importance in life.
- Modernization drives a secular transition in Western countries, eroding religious commitments and respect for religion, with this trend being consistent and likely irreversible due to the challenges faced by non-religious individuals in adopting a religion.
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Recent questions
Why is religion declining in the Western world?
Due to generational replacement and modernization.
What factors contribute to the decline of religion?
Generational differences and modernization.
Is the decline in religion reversible?
Unlikely, due to modernization and generational shifts.
How does New Zealand compare in religious affiliation?
New Zealand shows a significant shift in religious affiliation.
What impact does modernization have on religion?
Modernization leads to a secular transition, eroding religious commitments.
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Summary
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"Decline of Religion in Western World"
- David Voas, a quantitative social scientist, discusses the decline of religion in the Western World.
- Religion is losing ground in the Western world, measured by belonging, believing, participation in services, and importance in life.
- The decline is due to generational replacement, where younger generations are less religious than their parents.
- In New Zealand, data shows a significant shift in religious affiliation over less than a century.
- Similar trends are observed in the United States, with older generations more religious than younger ones.
- The decline in religious belief and importance in life is evident across various Western countries.
- Modernization leads to a secular transition, eroding religious commitments and respect for religion.
- Despite objections and exceptions, the decline in religion is a consistent trend in modernized societies.
- The secular transition is likely irreversible due to the difficulty for non-religious individuals to adopt a religion.
