Religious Change in Europe: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Findings

Abstract

The author describes the changes in church adherence and personal religiosity in European societies. In order to understand these changes, different theoretical models are available: the economic market model, the thesis of individualization, and the theory of secularization. A distinction between different dimensions of religion is used for discussing the applicability of these theoretical models on the process of religious change in European societies. As a result, the author states that the secularization thesis and the individualization theory are the most appropriate approaches in describing the religious changes in Europe. Despite much ado about the revival of religion during recent years, in the long run religions and churches have lost in social significance in European societies. The emergence of new religious groups and of individualistic forms of syncretistic religiosity is not able to compensate for the losses of the churches and the traditional religious forms.