Theoretical perspectives of religion: Postmodernist

Postmodernist Perspectives on Religion

Postmodernist sociologists, such as Jean Baudrillard and Michel Merton, contend that in the contemporary world there is a heightened period of uncertainty where established norms and values are continually challenged or broken down. This leads to a pick-and-mix approach to religion.
They see religion not as a shared narrative but as a personal, individual experience. In postmodern society, people have freedom of choice to pick and mix between different faiths and belief systems – a phenomenon referred to as religious consumerism.
Postmodernists, such as Lyotard, argue that there are now many different versions of religious truth, or metanarratives, and all are equally valid. This fragmented approach reflects the unstable and constantly shifting nature of postmodern society.

Religion and Identity

For postmodernists, the emphasis is much more on religion as a personal quest, a journey in search of identity and self-discovery. Religion becomes personalised and privatised, based on individual, subjective experiences.
David Lyon builds on this notion of religious choice and argues that religion hasn’t declined but rather relocated.

The Role of New Age Movements

New Age Movements are seen as a classic example of postmodern religion. They emphasise self-spirituality and self-improvement rather than abiding by traditional religious doctrines.
Such Movements often blend elements of different faiths and spiritual traditions to create unique, personalised systems of belief and practice. This reflects the pluralistic landscape of religion in postmodern societies.

The Media and Religion

Postmodernists also remark on the interplay between media and religion, where religious ideas and imagery become part of popular culture and are consumed in much the same way as other forms of media content. This blurring of boundaries further exemplifies the postmodern condition of religion.

Revision suggestion: Pay particular attention to the definitions and theoretical positions of key postmodernist thinkers and their interpretation of religion in contemporary society. Draw from examples of the influence of postmodernism on various aspects of religion, such as New Age Movements. Additionally, integrate perspectives on how postmodernism intersects with other sociological theories on religion, like secularisation and religious pluralism.