Modernist sociologist thinks the Latin Mass repulsive and the Synodal Path doomed to failure!
Sociologist advises against a return to traditional church life
"For the majority, that would be rather repulsive"
Religions worldwide are experiencing a dramatic decline in significance, says sociologist Detlef Pollack. Even strongholds like Iran and the USA are affected. In his view, churches have little to counter the decline in membership.
"Functioning, vibrant congregations can slow the process of de-churchification locally," said sociologist of religion Detlef Pollack to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (Tuesday). Overall, however, church action has only a very limited influence on the decline in church affiliation.
A tendency toward liberal, post-materialist values in society as a whole
Pollack advises against a return to traditional church life from earlier times, such as the Tridentine Mass with a liturgy primarily in Latin.
"For the majority, that would be rather repulsive. We have a tendency toward liberal, post-materialist values in society as a whole, toward self-determination, gender equality, and the acceptance of homosexuality," said the director of the Centre for Religion and Modernity at the University of Münster.
"If the Church doesn't move with the times, it would lose even more people and gain only a few."
De-churchification of all segments of society
For about 20 years, de-churchification has encompassed all segments of society. "Before that, it was primarily the educated and wealthy, urbanites, and men who turned their backs on faith and the church," said Pollack.
The trend toward secularization continues. First, the importance of religious practices that consume time and energy, such as prayer and churchgoing, declines. "Then come church membership and faith," said the sociologist of religion.
From Pollack's perspective, something would be missing if the church and faith no longer existed. "We see it in Eastern Germany, where a mentality of self-assertion and complaining has prevailed in large parts of the country – a truly unchristian form of ingratitude," said the scholar. He cannot see much good in the decline in the importance of Christianity.
Religion in retreat worldwide
According to Pollack, secularization has become a central trend worldwide. "Religion is currently experiencing a dramatic, historically unprecedented decline in importance." Secularization processes are also taking place in many countries in Latin America, North Africa, and Asia, even in countries like the USA, Iran, and Poland, which were previously considered religious strongholds.
"According to surveys, only 40 to 50 percent of people in Iran identify as Muslims, 22 percent describe themselves as non-religious, and nine percent even consider themselves atheists."
People value their decision-making ability
In modern Western societies, people value their decision-making ability and reject all attempts at paternalism. "Even in matters of existence and faith, they insist on their autonomy and no longer follow authoritative guidelines," says the sociologist of religion.
Modern society offers many opportunities for participation and self-realization. "Imperceptibly, our attention shifts from the question of the first and last things in our lives to the question of what we want to do in the here and now."
A late bloom of the Death of God theology. All the other plants are long dead as not unsurprisingly the Death of God was hardly spiritually sustaining but sustained quite a few professors in tenured posts.
"A few theologians are trying to say that God is dead. And I've been asking them about it because it disturbs me to know that God died and I didn't have a chance to attend the funeral. They haven't been able to tell me yet the date of his death. They haven't been able to tell me yet who the coroner was that pronounced him dead." Martin Luther-King
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