Modern theories of religion viewed through the prism of the system-communication approach

Abstract

The article offers an analysis of the most influential modern theories of religion. The theory of secularization is associated with the classical theory of modernization. The theory of individualization of religion is associated with theories of social action, albeit indirectly. Likewise, it is connected with the theory of communicative action by Jürgen Habermas, and there is also a direct association with theories of individualization and privatization. The theory of the market model of religion is directly associated with the theory of the market for demand and supply, and the theory of post-industrial society is associated with the theory of secularization indirectly. In addition, various theories are gaining recognition. Among them is the postsecularism associated with the theory of postindustrial society, as well as postnonclassical (postmodernist and postpositivist) approach. Modern theories of religion are analysed from the point of view of the emerging system-communication approach, which is based upon the communicative approach theory by Jürgen Habermas, and the theory of self-reference social systems by Niklas Luhmann. The author suggests, while being within the framework of the neoclassical model of scientific rationality, to move away from the theories by Habermas and Luhmann. He suggests a new understanding of religious communication, in terms of its logical interconnection and interdependence with other forms of communication, primarily social, political, ethnic and cultural.