Religion in postmodern society : challenges for a synodal Church

Abstract

I begin this article with some characteristics of postmodernism (and postmodern society) in order to justify the analysis of postmodern religiosity and the believer. The claim is that the central features of postmodernity resonate in all phases of human existence, including the religious sphere. Postmodernism, which is not a monolithic process or state, nevertheless contains certain characteristics that can be summarised under the terms individualism, pluralism, and relativism. Postmodernism advocates diversity of opinion, cultural diversity, and scepticism regarding autonomy. Postmodernism is against any authority, whether it be political, moral, or religious. On the other hand, it advocates particularity, uniqueness, originality, and non-uniformity, considers the diversity of the global world, and opens up the possibility of a dialogical space of diversity and otherness. [extract]