Why is Religion Outdated in the 21st Century? Understand the Relevance of Religion in 21st Century!
Faith and religion have always been essential constituents of society. Over the thousands of years, they have emerged to be crucial parts of politics, economy, and culture- each religious institution, with their own character sets of features.
Along with disciplines, they have claimed to be the only true religion, propagating themselves as the religion of peace. Though 80% of the world has an affiliation with spirituality, a tendency for asserting freedom from religion is also emerging.
In the 21st Century, a question often arises. How can religion keep up with the trends of society? The question leads to a more significant question – Is religion outdated in the 21st Century? If it is, then why?
Here, we will try to understand the real relevance of religion in the 21st Century, especially as more people have started seeking freedom from religion.
Also Read: Why is True Religion Outdated in the 21st Century? Do We Really Need Freedom from Religion?
Conflict of Beliefs
A tendency of atheism is emerging around the world over the years. More and more people are losing faith in their true religions. One of the primary reasons for such developments is the conflict between the age-old religious doctrines and the concepts of modern society.
Here, we can take the example of some of the oldest religions. We consider those religions that condemn homosexuality, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Alternatively, we can also find those that preach themselves as religions of peace but result in violence—such doctrines of religion contrast the unorthodox evolution of the 21st-century society.
Family relations and social paradigms are changing. People are losing faith in what they claim themselves to be true religions. Many are seeking freedom from religion through atheism. Some stop paying attention to its relevance.
Science Doesn't Need God
It is a known fact that religious beliefs remain in stark contrast with scientific rationality. With the increase in scientific developments, the qualities of “true religion” faces several questions. The World Economic Forum conducted a discussion in 2013.
A renowned scientist in the forum, Lawrence Krauss spoke about how religion is becoming irrelevant in the modern world.
He stated that the growth is insignificant and driven by an individual’s “want” to believe, rather than actual “faith”. The negligible growth signifies that even followers are unconsciously looking for freedom from religion.
He questions how the wisdom that religions offer can be competent, mainly when they have been ignorant about basic scientific inquiry.
Shift from Religion to Spirituality
Religious institutions appeal to their followers through the aspect of morality. The famous historian Yuval Noah Harari states that is not the religion, but the appreciation of suffering is what presents morality to the humankind. Thus, religion is becoming an insignificant aspect of the modern world, even in the question of morality.
He also notes that the dimensions of spirituality are different from the questions of religions, especially in the 21st Century. Spirituality, associating itself with philosophy. As against religious consciousness. It is making its way into the modern world, while the total relevance of religion is getting lost.
Politics and violence are another main reason for the religious decline in the 21st Century. Along with these, communal violence is changing the perceptions of the religion of peace. All these factors are in collaboration. They are pushing towards out-dating the so-called true religions from the 21st Century. Thereby increasing the outcry for freedom from religions.
The 21st Century is not only witnessing a religious decline. It also presents itself as the nodal point of a paradigm shift in religious understanding.
Sign Up and Start Reading about Interesting Religion around the World
