Myth of the Month 4: Secularization -- or, Send in the Nones!

After one year for patrons only, the fourth Myth of the Month becomes free for the public: Do societies become more "secular" as they become modern? Do science, technology, or democracy weaken religious belief? We consider theories of secularization ranging from Max Weber's story of "disenchantment" to Charles Taylor's "A Secular Age." Current survey data show a dramatic rise in the number of "nones" -- those who do not adhere to any particular religious group, even though most of them still pray, read scriptures, or express belief in God. To hear all patron-only lectures from this podcast as soon as they post, sign on as a patron at any level: https://www.patreon.com/c/u5530632 Alternatively, to hear the patron-only lectures on the early modern age, including on Martin Luther, the Reformation, and Spain & Portugal in the age of the Inquisition, you can purchase access to the “Becoming Modern” playlist: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2026824?view=condensed Suggested Further Reading: Charles Taylor, "A Secular Age"; Max Weber, "Science as a Vocation"; Pew Research Center, "In America, Does More Education Equal Less Religion?" Image of abandoned church courtesy of Emma (https://www.flickr.com/people/27505473@N02) via Flickr.