What Is Replacing Religion?
Abstract People have evolved to seek patterns and explanations and seek to put them together into coherent belief systems. This is conducive to mental health. People need coherent belief systems, but religion is declining. What comes next? Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and the Netherlan...
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| Format: | Book Part |
| Language: | English |
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Oxford University PressNew York
2021
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197547045.003.0008 https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/57895558/oso-9780197547045-chapter-8.pdf |
| Summary: | Abstract People have evolved to seek patterns and explanations and seek to put them together into coherent belief systems. This is conducive to mental health. People need coherent belief systems, but religion is declining. What comes next? Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and the Netherlands have consistently been at the cutting edge of cultural change since 1990. Protestantism left an enduring imprint, but the welfare state that emerged in the 20th century added universal health coverage; high levels of state support for education, welfare spending, child care, and pensions; and an ethos of social solidarity. These countries are also characterized by rapidly declining religiosity. What does this portend? Today, these countries rank high on numerous indicators of a well-functioning society, including economic equality, gender equality, low homicide rates, subjective well-being, environmental protection, and democracy. They have become less religious, but their people have high levels of interpersonal trust, tolerance, honesty, social solidarity, and commitment to democratic norms. |
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