Sociology and predicting the future of religion

Abstract

The question of future of religion has always been topical in sociology of religion since its founders (Durkheim and Weber). A number of current global processes taking place in modern society have added sharpness and relevance to the question of future of religion and it became one the most debatable issues.  The purpose of sociology of religion, as the scientific discipline studying religion, is seeing its subject in its perspective and prognostication of future, especially when situation concerning religion today is rather alarming.  It is a generally approved fact and there is no novelty that mankind is in postclassical epoch and that means devaluation of classical values. Precursor of the beginning of this process was Friedrich Nietzsche. He was one of the first who proclaimed “Death of God” to the mankind. “Death of God” also meant the “Death of Man”, but mankind obsessed by luxury, comfort and everyday trifles of life did not pay proper attention to it. But at the end, everything finished with “God murdered” mankind “killing the Man”. If the XX century is stigmatized by “Death of God”, for the XXI century such a stigma will be “Death of Man” (existing reality is so pessimistic and terrible, that even the greatest pessimist Shoppenhauer would be envious of living is such an epoch). Without dramatizing of given reality, it can be said that everything this is very painfully reflected on future of religion.