Doctoral Student of Quran and Social Sciences, Al-Mustafa International University
Abstract
Giddens unlike classical sociologists and with attention to the emergence of contemporary religious movements, especially the Islamic fundamentalism, has rejected secularization of the religion in the modern world and with a reflexive interpretation, has found religion functions compatible with the modern society requirements. He posits that religion can coexist with modernity, provided that it accepts dialogue and reflexivity. Although this theory has been regarded as the closest reading to the Islamic view in holding religion responsive to the questions of modern human, but it suffers from substantial defects regarding its fundamentals, method and general direction. The following deficiencies have reduced the scientific stature of his theory: neglecting to the revealed origins of religion, reducing the truth of religion to merely material phenomena, conflicts between science and religion, ignoring the epistemological dimension of religion and being caught in the trap of improper substitutions, phenomenalizing and denial of religion rightfulness, confusing identity of different religions, paying attention to the functions rather than essence of religion, incomplete induction in religious studies (church centered) and generalizing its results to the other religions like Islam. Provided that Islamic fundamentals are replaced in this theory, undoubtedly the approaches will not be the same as what Giddens presented, and the rejection of secularization will be evaluated against the nature of religion and comprehensiveness of its teachings and not against the amount of presence and membership in the rituals and religious centers.
Adeli, A. (2016). Evaluating Giddens' Theory of Religion and Secularization Based on Islamic Fundamentals. Journal of Islam and Social Studies, 3(12), 132-155.
MLA
Abdulali Adeli. "Evaluating Giddens' Theory of Religion and Secularization Based on Islamic Fundamentals", Journal of Islam and Social Studies, 3, 12, 2016, 132-155.
HARVARD
Adeli, A. (2016). 'Evaluating Giddens' Theory of Religion and Secularization Based on Islamic Fundamentals', Journal of Islam and Social Studies, 3(12), pp. 132-155.
VANCOUVER
Adeli, A. Evaluating Giddens' Theory of Religion and Secularization Based on Islamic Fundamentals. Journal of Islam and Social Studies, 2016; 3(12): 132-155.
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