현대사회에서의 종교의 사회정치적 위치와 역할

Abstract

This essay reflects on the religious participation in politics through a discussion of the social location and roles of religions in modern society. for this purpose, the enlightenment thinkers’ ideological crtiques of religion, roles and functions of religion in modern society are discussed. Also the ideas of classical sociologists such as Marx, Durkheim, and Weber are examined in this point of view. Then, the critical examine of secularization theory of privatization and differentiation is followed. Next, an analysis of sociological issues related to modern religion such as the objectification of religion, and the subordination of religion to the logics of market and state is discussed. Also, discussion about the re-magification of religion taking place by a fusion of religious practice with the secular object of capitalistic market economy, that is, the maximization of private property is followed. Next, discussion of the religious political roles and its limits is followed, Based on this discussion, it is maintained that religion can be political but cannot practice politics. developed. In a word, the object of political activity mostly oriented to the seizure of political power is not compatible with the universalism sought by religion. Also, when religion coalesces with politics, politics can lose its virtue of compromise, and absolutize its relative value, while religion can be drown to the danger of compromise, and can be attached only to the specific interest rather than to its universal value. However, in the sense that religions, in modern society where values are mostly centered on the private interest of individual, hold fast to the universal value that goes beyond the private interests of individuals, it is concluded that religions are the last and only stronghold for the deployment, and unfolding of universal value into modern society.