Desecularization in Literature & Literary Theory

Desecularization: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Desecularization: Etymology/Term

The term “desecularization” is formed through the addition of the prefix “de-” (meaning reversal) to “secularization.” It signifies a process in which there is a resurgence of religious influence or a departure from secular values and institutions within a society.

Meanings and Concept

• Revival of Religion: Desecularization emphasizes the return of religion to prominence in public life, social structures, and political arenas.
• Challenging Secularization Theory: It confronts the long-held thesis that modernity inevitably leads to the decline of religion’s influence over societies.
• Varied Expressions: Desecularization manifests in diverse ways, including the growth of religious fundamentalist movements, the increased political and social impact of faith-based organizations, and a greater visibility of religious practices and symbolism.
• Subject of Contention: The scope, driving forces, consequences, and global significance of desecularization remain topics of academic debate and research.

Desecularization: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Desecularization refers to the process through which societies, individuals, or institutions shift away from secularism and towards a more religious or spiritual orientation. It encompasses a resurgence of religious beliefs, practices, and influence in public life, often challenging the perceived decline of religion in modern societies. Desecularization can manifest in various forms, such as increased religious participation, the reintegration of religious norms into public discourse, and the revitalization of religious institutions.

Desecularization: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists

• Peter L. Berger: An influential sociologist who initially supported secularization theory. In his later work, most notably The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics, he famously revised his stance. Berger argued that modernization does not inherently lead to the decline of religion, highlighting the continued vitality of religious belief in the contemporary world.
• José Casanova: A sociologist known for his work Public Religions in the Modern World. Casanova contends that religion remains a powerful force in the public sphere, challenging the notion of a strict separation between religion and politics in modern societies.
• Rodney Stark: Sociologist who, along with Roger Finke, applied a market-based approach to the study of religion. Their work, including Acts of Faith: Explaining the Human Side of Religion, emphasized that religious pluralism can lead to revitalization rather than decline.

Arguments

• The Failure of Secularization Theory: Desecularization proponents argue that the predicted decline of religion in the face of modernization has not come to pass. They point to the persistence of religious belief and practice globally as evidence of secularization’s limitations.
• Religion as a Social Force: These theorists emphasize the continued relevance of religion in providing meaning, community, and moral frameworks for individuals and societies. They argue it fills a void left by the decline of traditional institutions.
• Globalization and Religious Revival: Some theorists associate desecularization with the ways in which globalization fuels religious movements, both as a reaction to homogenizing forces and as a way to reaffirm identity and cultural heritage.
• Critiques of Desecularization: Critics argue that the concept of desecularization overstates the resurgence of religion globally and that emphasizing specific examples ignores the ongoing secular trends in many parts of the world.

Desecularization: Major Characteristics

1. Religious Revival:
   • Desecularization is marked by a resurgence of religious beliefs and practices. This resurgence can be seen in the renewed interest in religious rituals, ceremonies, and spiritual experiences within a society. A literary example of this can be found in The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, where a group of Jesuit priests embark on a mission to make first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization, leading to profound spiritual and existential reflections among the characters.
2. Challenges to Secular Norms:
   • Desecularization often involves a challenge to the dominance of secular norms and values in public life. This can manifest as debates over the role of religion in education, politics, and social policies. In The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, the narrative explores the tension between secularism and religious traditions within the context of a mysterious and atmospheric story set in post-war Barcelona.
3. Reconciliation of Faith and Modernity:
   • Desecularization may entail efforts to reconcile religious beliefs with modernity and technological advancements. This reconciliation can lead to innovative interpretations of religious doctrines and the adoption of new religious practices. In American Gods by Neil Gaiman, gods and mythological beings from various cultures struggle to adapt to the modern world, reflecting the complexities of maintaining faith in a secular, technologically-driven society.
4. Increased Religious Influence:
   • Desecularization often results in an increased influence of religious institutions and leaders in shaping public discourse and societal norms. This influence may extend to moral, ethical, and cultural domains. In The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, a totalitarian regime based on religious fundamentalism exerts control over society, illustrating the potential consequences of unchecked religious influence in a desecularizing context.

Desecularization: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	How Desecularization is Relevant	Example
Postcolonial Theory	Investigates how desecularization can occur in former colonies as a response to or rejection of secular values imposed during the colonial era. May explore the resurgence of indigenous religions or alternative spiritualities.	Analysis of religious themes and the use of traditional mythology in works by postcolonial authors like Chinua Achebe or Salman Rushdie.
New Historicism	Examines historical contexts where seemingly secular literature may be embedded within religious debates or evolving attitudes toward religion. Considers how desecularization impacts the reinterpretation of older texts and their significance.	Analyzing how a Renaissance text, previously read as secular, might reveal religious undercurrents when considered through the lens of desecularization.
Religious Studies Approaches	Explores literature as both a reflection and a contributor to desecularization trends. Analyzes how religious motifs, narratives, and characters are utilized within literary works to challenge or reinforce prevailing religious norms.	Examining how contemporary novels engage with religious pluralism, the rise of spirituality, or the blurring of boundaries between the sacred and secular.
Cultural Studies	Investigates how popular culture, including literature, both reflects and contributes to desecularization trends. Focuses on the representation of religion in novels, films, and other media.	Studying how supernatural or fantasy elements in popular fiction might reflect changing attitudes towards religion and spirituality.

Desecularization: Application in Critiques

1. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

• Desecularization Elements: The play dramatizes the Salem witch trials, where religious fervor and paranoia lead to a complete breakdown of secular reason and justice.
• Critique: A desecularization critique would examine how religious frenzy takes on the role of law and subverts established social order. It might analyze how the blurring of religious and legal authority creates an oppressive environment.

2. Paradise Lost by John Milton

• Desecularization Elements: This epic poem is steeped in Biblical narratives and explores themes of heaven, hell, and the fall of humankind. It could be viewed as a literary project that reinforces and disseminates a particular religious worldview.
• Critique: A desecularization critique could grapple with how Milton’s theological arguments contribute to the dominance of Christian thought during its historical period. It might analyze how the poem shapes perceptions of good, evil, and human nature.

3. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

• Desecularization Elements: This novel reimagines the story of Bertha Mason from Jane Eyre, exploring her Caribbean background and experiences of Creole culture. It juxtaposes different spiritual beliefs, including Obeah practices, with dominant forms of Christianity.
• Critique: A desecularization lens could examine how Rhys challenges colonial and religious impositions. It could analyze how Bertha’s character is shaped by clashing spiritualities and used as a symbol of resistance.

4. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

• Desecularization Elements: Lewis’s children’s fantasy series is filled with Christian themes and allegories. It could be interpreted as a work that promotes and popularizes Christian values for a young audience.
• Critique: A desecularization critique could investigate the mechanisms by which the novels construct a distinctly Christian worldview. It might analyze the use of symbolism, the portrayal of good and evil, and the ways in which they might shape readers’ moral framework.

Desecularization: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Desecularization	The process by which societies see a resurgence or increased prominence of religion in the public sphere.
Secularization	The process of societies becoming less influenced by religion, often separating religious institutions from political and social structures.
Theocracy	A system of government where the state and its laws are based on religious doctrine.
Religious Revivalism	A renewal of religious fervor and commitment within a society or religious community.
Religious Fundamentalism	A strict and often rigid adherence to a literal interpretation of religious texts and doctrines.
Pluralism	The coexistence of multiple religions or belief systems within a society.
Religious Identity Politics	The use of religious affiliation to mobilize political action or shape political discourse.
Modernity	A broad term encompassing the social, political, and economic changes associated with the rise of industrialization and urbanization, often seen as linked to secularization.
Postmodernity	A historical period characterized by a skepticism towards grand narratives (including those of secularization) and an emphasis on individual experience and diverse perspectives.
Globalization	The increasing interconnectedness of the world through economic, cultural, and technological exchange. Can be a driving force behind both secularization and desecularization trends.

Desecularization: Suggested Readings

1. Berger, Peter L., ed. The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1999.
2. Casanova, José. Public Religions in the Modern World. University of Chicago Press, 1994.
3. Habermas, Jürgen. An Awareness of What is Missing: Faith and Reason in a Post-Secular Age. Polity Press, 2010.
4. Jenkins, Philip. The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.
5. Kepel, Gilles. The Revenge of God: The Resurgence of Islam, Christianity and Judaism in the Modern World. Polity Press, 1994.
6. McLeod, Hugh. Religion and the People of Western Europe 1789-1989. Oxford University Press, 1997.
7. Riesebrodt, Martin. The Promise of Salvation: A Theory of Religion. University of Chicago Press, 2010.
8. Stark, Rodney, and Roger Finke. Acts of Faith: Explaining the Human Side of Religion. University of California Press, 2000.
9. Warner, R. Stephen. “Work in Progress toward a New Paradigm for the Sociological Study of Religion in the United States.” American Journal of Sociology, vol. 98, no. 5, 1993, pp. 1044–1093.