ABSTRACT
Many sociologists of religion in the 1970s believed that the world was becoming increasingly secular, and that fewer people were religious than before. This view was consistent with the predictions of some theologians. Western cultural commentators often talked of the ‘death of God’. And this seemed to fit with a growing indifference to established religion in Western Europe. Those making the argument explained that social forces associated with ‘modernity’ were responsible for the progressive secularization occurring. Since then, however, increasing numbers have questioned the validity of the thesis. Today, only a minority support the view that progressive secularization is taking place. Yet the whole issue of secularization has by no means been settled, and still manages to generate considerable debate.
