Increasing irreligious trends among a younger demographic in Ireland: are there potential benefits?
There is scholarly consensus among theologians and their disciplinary partners that religion closely links with identity formation, unmatched by identification with any other social group. However, detachment from organised religion in Western cultures among young people is increasingly evident. Thi...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Routledge
2023
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| In: |
International journal for the study of the Christian church
Year: 2023, Volume: 23, Issue: 4, Pages: 365-381 |
| Further subjects: | B
Ethnography
B Practical Theology B Irreligion B Empirical B Protestantism B Catholicism B Sectarianism B Spiritualism B National Identity |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | There is scholarly consensus among theologians and their disciplinary partners that religion closely links with identity formation, unmatched by identification with any other social group. However, detachment from organised religion in Western cultures among young people is increasingly evident. This paper presents research findings for theological reflection derived from an empirical sequential mixed-method, ethnographic Gadamerian doctoral study exploring Ireland’s rapidly changing religious landscape. Survey findings (n = 178) and follow-up interviews (N = 22) of a random sample of 18-39 year olds suggest that while Irish Catholicism remains culturally important there is increasing disconnection from the institutional Church. It appears that privatised, self-referential forms of spirituality related to a wellness culture are growing. However, this paper suggests that a positive benefit may also accrue from these trends, specifically that sectarianism as a historically pernicious form of racism may diminish. |
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| ISSN: | 1747-0234 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: International journal for the study of the Christian church
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1080/1474225X.2023.2292397 |