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Several sociologists have challenged the secularisation thesis by arguing that religion is not declining but transforming. Rather than disappearing, religion is taking new forms — becoming more individualised, privatised, and diverse. This lesson examines the key theorists who argue for religious renewal and choice: Grace Davie, Danièle Hervieu-Léger, David Lyon, and Paul Heelas and Linda Woodhead.
Key Definition: Religious renewal refers to the revitalisation or transformation of religious belief and practice, taking new forms rather than simply declining. Religious choice refers to the idea that in late-modern societies, individuals choose their religious beliefs and practices from a range of options, rather than inheriting them from tradition.
Grace Davie (1994) challenged the secularisation thesis with her concept of "believing without belonging." She argued that the decline in church attendance does not necessarily indicate a decline in religious belief. Many people in modern societies continue to hold religious beliefs — they believe in God, pray, and consider themselves spiritual — but they no longer feel the need to express these beliefs through regular participation in organised religious institutions.
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