The Initial Deterioration
The fall of communism left a psychological vacuum filled with religion, thus contributing to its rapid growth during the 21st century. However, with time, religion has started to decline with modernization. Since 2007, there has been a decrease in religious belief globally, with forces such as modernization and politics playing a significant role in its decline. Modernization has introduced a new generation of individuals that are well aware of their rights and freedoms. The world is quickly becoming culturally heterogeneous, and it encourages the development of new values, cultures, and regulations; thus, some religious beliefs are considered traditional ideas and becoming abandoned. It has led to the development of new values, cultures, principles, and philosophies, some of which contradict some spiritual messages. On topics such as sex, marriage, abortion, and other cultural issues, people bear different views concerning them and are adamant on their stand. When religion contradicts such topics, people start to question these beliefs, and some end up abandoning faith (Brauer, S. 2018).
Significant Contributing Aspects
A good example is abortion. Most religions shun acts such as abortion, but some individuals are pro-choice, searching for other systems that agree with their norms and abandon the 'old' traditions. Modernization has seen the growth of feminists who believe that religion is used as a tool to undermine women due to some of its cultures; thus, some women who feel 'woke' abandon religion due to the belief that it holds them down. Modernization has also eroded the sacredness of some ceremonies, such as marriage which religions hold sacred. Divorce has become an everyday norm in society, with people divorcing as early as three months after their wedding, thus reducing such ceremonies' popularity. Some people even prefer to stay celibate and adopt a child if need be. The erosion of religious attributes in daily life and cultural practices has ultimately led to the decline in religion.
Technological Influence
The Internet has also played a considerable role in the decline of religion. The Internet plays a lot of significant roles, but it also bears a lot of adverse effects. The Internet provides communication, and individuals can also share their opinions, thoughts, and feelings online. Some of this content posted on social media is done by other groups such as atheists who don't share the same religion. The Internet provides a platform for other groups such as atheists to change specific religious individuals who start to question faith and abandon it. Most parents are no longer strict on religion; thus, kids may embrace other cultures and values. Sometimes kids get exposed to such information on the Internet and begin to adopt such beliefs as they grow up, leading to the decline of religion. Most religions shun acts of nudity, while most of the Internet has embraced nudity in the name of being 'confident under your skin.' The Internet exposes individuals to a lot of nudity which has encouraged masturbation, prostitution, incest, and other acts, yet religion frowns upon them (Brauer, S. 2018).
Political Attributes
Politics has also played a role in the decline of religion. Some political parties share common principles and values with specific beliefs or may be associated with one. When the political party is involved in activities that contradict its religious affiliation, it results in a shift in trust among some of its supporters. Some individuals may abandon religion due to its association with the opposition not associated with it (Inglehart, R. F. 2020).
Sources
Brauer, S. (2018). The surprising predictable decline of religion in the United States. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 57(4), 654-675.
https://blog.oup.com/2020/12/why-is-religion-suddenly-declining/
Inglehart, R. F. (2020). Giving up on God: The Global Decline of Religion. Foreign Aff., 99, 110.
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