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How secularized is Germany? Cohort and comparative perspectives
[journal article]
Abstract "The author seeks to answer the question 'How secularized is Germany?' on the basis of different perspectives and databases. The meaning of the term secularization is limited for this study to the decline of religiosity and its consequences, and a distinction is made between church-related and indiv... view more
"The author seeks to answer the question 'How secularized is Germany?' on the basis of different perspectives and databases. The meaning of the term secularization is limited for this study to the decline of religiosity and its consequences, and a distinction is made between church-related and individual religiosity. First, evidence for the decline of church-related religiosity in Germany is presented. Next, it is shown that individual religiosity, i.e. religiosity not necessarily related to organized religion, is also declining. Then the analysis is extended to investigate the relationship between religiosity and non-religious attitudes. Taking two illustrative examples, it is claimed that religion today is far less salient for the way we live and see the world than it has been in the past. Finally, the focus of the analysis is broadened to an international perspective in which Germany is compared with other countries. The author ends with some thoughts on the future of secularization in Germany." (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
attitude; old federal states; international comparison; church attendance; leaving the church; secularization; religiousness; Federal Republic of Germany; religious affiliation; Christianity; New Federal States; church
Classification
Sociology of Religion
Method
empirical; quantitative empirical
Document language
English
Publication Year
2008
Page/Pages
p. 111-126
Journal
Social Compass, 55 (2008) 2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0037768608089733
ISSN
1461-7404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications
With the permission of the rights owner, this publication is under open access due to a (DFG-/German Research Foundation-funded) national or Alliance license.