The Study About Peter L.Berger's Theory Of"Secularization"

This paper mainly studies the following four questions of Peter Berger's "secularization.First,How does Berger understand "secularization"? And what are the differences and connections between Berger's understanding of “secularization” and the understanding of other scholars of “secularization” in the academic world? Second,how is the combination of "systematic elements" and "historical elements" in Berger's "The Sacred Canopy"? The purpose of analysing this question is that clarifying Berger's writing thoughts,rather than being limited to a vague description about their relation.By the analysis of combining these two parts,I also hope to find out why Berger concluded that religion is bound to decline in the future.Also,what inspiration does Berger's theory and the views of other scholars cited by Berger give us? Third,what is connection about Berger's point of view and Weber's thoughts? And where is the analysis of Berger's mistakes and omissions? Fourth,what kind of research orientation might be adopted in the future on the theme of "secularization"?Through the analysis of Berger's text and other scholars' views,firstly,we can find out that Berger is similar to other scholars in that they all used a lot of labels to describe "secularization",such as religious polarization,religious subjectivism,religious pluralism,religious market theory,etc.The difference between them is that Berger paid more attention to grasping the essence and function of religion from overall perspective,and absorbs Weber's "rationalization" thought.Therefore Berger can analyze the roots of the phenomenon of "secularization",and sort out a clear historical clue that through ancient and modern times.Secondly,the first part of "The Sacred Canopy" "systematic elements" belongs to the theoretical construction part,also belongs to sociology of knowledge that mainly discuss about relationships between human and society and the process constructed society.The second part of “historic elements” belongs to the historic analysis part.In this part,Berger analyzed the presentation of "secularization" of religion in modern society and the historic roots of "secularization" of religion.What's more,Berger has analysed “problem of seemingly rational” and “problem of reasonable argument” religion will facing in the process of revival.Berger has combined "systematic elements" and “historic elements” in the process of analyzing these two problems,and finally drew the conclusion that religion must decline.But the analysis of Berger can't afford his conclusion.And Berger also neglected other driving force that affected development of religion.Therefore,his conclusion has been denied by the realistic situations of religion.Thirdly,the core part of Berger's analysis of "secularization" lies in the root of "secularization"(transcendentalization,historicalization and ethical rationalization.),and this idea was borrowed from Weber.From the analysis of Weber.We can find that the two people's thoughts have a strong internal relationship.Meanwhile,whether Weber or Berger,they hope acquire some deep understanding about “modernity” in the process of analyzing religion development.It means that human society has happened some changes in vary various field,in the process of ancient society become modern society.Finally,after reviewing the useful revelation brought about by Berger's theory,the focus is on the possible research directions about the theme of "secularization".In China,there is still much to be developed in empirical research,and grasping the essence and function of religion as a whole is a more challenging research goal.