ABSTRACT
Since 1950, empirical research on religion in Europe was framed in terms of secularization theory. Consequently, the question of whether religion gradually disappears in modern European societies prevailed in the sociology of religion. More recently, proponents of individualization theory have challenged the conclusion from secularization theory that modernization mechanically decreases the individual and social signicance of religion. Instead, they argue that contemporary European societies are characterized by increasing pluralism of religious orientations. e main argument of individualization theory is that in modern societies individuals can choose from more religious options than in traditional societies (Taylor, 2007) and that a growing number of Europeans opt for religious beliefs outside the traditional churches.
