Exploring the Impact of Postmodernism on Religion: A Sociological Perspective

In this discussion paper we will discuss about sociology and below are the summaries point:- The paper discusses the postmodern condition and its implications for religion, particularly in the Church. Postmodern tradition aims to transcend materialistic shifts and bring changes to religious practices. Pluralism is a significant aspect of postmodern tradition, impacting societal development and the rise of feminist movements. The Church's response to postmodernism includes reevaluating traditional values and understanding homosexuality in a different light.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1SOCIOLOGY
The following paper will discuss about some very significant aspects of postmodern
condition in the world. The post modern condition is a very common aspect of the present world
and it has some philosophical and religious overtones regarding it as well. There are some
critical and rhetorical perspectives for postmodernism (Vanhoozer, 2003). The Church has to
apply this postmodernism in the religious background and how Church could apply it properly.
There are several layers in the relationship between postmodern tradition and Church.
The purpose of postmodern tradition in church means to transcend the materialistic shift
in the lives of individuals. This is a prospect as to how modernization is characterized properly in
religion (Vanhoozer, 2003). The different tastes of cultures have been gone through in this idea.
The concern for pluralism is very much intense indeed. The different cultures living together in
the society is somewhat detrimental for an overall development. This postmodern tradition is
considered as the most basic thing for the rise of feminist movement (Vanhoozer, 2003). The
traditional values of society will have to be upgraded and changes will come in terms of religious
practices as well. Pluralism is one of the most significant facts that are characterized by post
modern tradition (Schweitzer, 2012).
Several values of church will have to be upgraded in different forms as well. The
Christian Catholic Churches have been the target of this allusive change in big manner. This post
modern tradition has been ingrained within the Christian circles. An example can be given in this
case. It is the case of homosexuality within society. The Church and Christian tradition has been
against this tradition (Vanhoozer, 2003). However, post modern tradition believes that this
should be left to choice of that person as it is his own life. Homosexuality had been deemed as a
wrong concept both in Old and New Testaments. It has been said so since primitive people

2SOCIOLOGY
understood culture and time in other ways since a kind of dictatorship was there in the society
(Vanhoozer, 2003).
In the post modern period, Churches do not see homosexuality as a wrong thing since
they have a better understanding of the culture and society. This is a very hardcore effect of post
modern tradition on the society. The churches of current times have understood that the sexual
orientation of people cannot be determined by an eternal principle or divinity. Thus it is very
apparent that Churches and Priests have learnt to come out of so called primitive understanding
of the society (Vanhoozer, 2003). I believe Churches should learn to adopt these beliefs instead
of having faith in age old things. In my opinion, Churches should now begin to believe that
objective reality should be corresponded by truth. The believers of Faith must understand that
God exists within the relative experience of human beings only. We should have faith in God
only He appears to help us in our bad times (Schweitzer, 2012).
The people who believe in post modernism believe that atheism is the only thing that
persists in the society. According to this view, the existence of Churches will be in great danger
indeed. Education is the only thing that can deal with reality. The post modern tradition has been
a great part of the Western society and culture (Vanhoozer, 2003). However, I have found that
post modern traditions in the Catholic Churches can bear some positive things for us as well. We
have always believed that Churches should preach things dictated by Holy Jesus Christ only. His
ideas and sayings are only resources of Christian Churches (Vanhoozer, 2003). The post modern
church only means a Biblical Church that has existed in the post modern period. That is why
values and beliefs of the post modern church should be the base for the new world order. The
post modern tradition in the church has always laid new artistic ideas in society (Schweitzer,
2012). This is much beneficial for individuals and their spiritual development.

3SOCIOLOGY
I think post modern tradition in the church has been initiated by ideology criticism. The
medieval church believed that human beings have unending potential at their disposal. However,
Post modern tradition in the church has understood the limitations of human beings. In the
sermons, we have learnt that we love Jesus Christ by our entire mind besides our heart and soul.
Post modern believers in Church have faith in the human limits and say human beings cannot do
anything. Finally, I can conclude that impact of post modern tradition has been much effective
on the lives of individuals.

4SOCIOLOGY
Reference and Bibliography
Lyon, D. (2013). Jesus in Disneyland: Religion in postmodern times. John Wiley & Sons.
Makrides, V. N. (2012). Orthodox Christianity, modernity and postmodernity: Overview,
analysis and assessment. Religion, State and Society, 40(3-4), 248-285.
Percy, M. (2016). Engaging with contemporary culture: Christianity, theology and the concrete
church. Routledge.
Schweitzer, F. (2012). The postmodern life cycle: Challenges for church and theology. Chalice
Press.
Vanhoozer, K. J. (2003). Theology and the condition of postmodernity: a report on knowledge
(of God). The Cambridge companion to postmodern theology, 5, 3-25.
Vanhoozer, K. J. (Ed.). (2003). The Cambridge companion to postmodern theology. Cambridge
University Press.