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Secularization or Alternative Faith? Trends and Conceptions of Spirituality in Northern Europe
[journal article]
Abstract In the debate on European secularization, it has been argued that conventional religion has given way to spirituality, and that religion is thus changing as opposed to diminishing. Focusing on northern Europe, this study uses semi-structured interviews and survey data from the International Social S... view more
In the debate on European secularization, it has been argued that conventional religion has given way to spirituality, and that religion is thus changing as opposed to diminishing. Focusing on northern Europe, this study uses semi-structured interviews and survey data from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) to explore meanings and trends of spirituality and religious beliefs. Findings highlight a movement away from both religiosity and spirituality. Moreover, individuals who identify as 'spiritual but not religious' hold diverse beliefs about the supernatural and various interpretations of spirituality, some of which are in essence secular. Ultimately, this study suggests that current trends of spirituality are consistent with broader patterns of secularization in northern Europe.... view less
Keywords
ISSP; secularization; spirituality; faith; Northern Europe; religion
Classification
Sociology of Religion
Free Keywords
mixed methods; ISSP 2008; ISSP 2018
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 7-55
Journal
Journal of Religion in Europe, 15 (2022) 1-4
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1163/18748929-bja10049
ISSN
1874-8929
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed