srijeda, 13.04.2011.
Religious Authority and Modern Thought
All traditional sources of religious authority are being challenged
by modern thought, especially science, empirical
history, and secular movements of social reform.
Religions respond to these developments in various
ways, from significant internal changes accommodating
modern thought to complete resistance.
In many ways, the religions most oriented to texts have
had the most difficult time dealing with modern thought;
the texts often contain science, history, and social systems
that do not fit well with modernity and the texts are
supposed to be eternally valid Casinň Online and binding. Many interpreters
have found ways to combine the deepest insights of
religious texts with modern thought by considering some
aspects of the text to stem from its social context rather than
divine revelation, and by regarding many stories in the text
as metaphorical rather than literal truths. Others have
refused to concede any aspect of traditional religious thought
where it conflicts with modern science or history, with the
result that fundamentalism is a dominant religious movement
in the twenty-first century, especially in monotheistic
religions.
The traditional religions of China have also been deeply
affected by modern thought, largely in negative ways. The
triumph of Communism deeply weakened the hold of both
Confucian and Daoist thought on Chinese people. It also
led to the severe repression of Buddhism in both Tibet
and China.
Secularism or indifference to religion is also common in
many parts of the modern world, especially Japan and
Europe. Religion has become a minor ceremonial affair
having little real authority for many people.
In other parts of the world, especially India and the
Middle East, religion has become a major source of conflict
as different religions claim that their texts and traditions give
them alone control over land and sacred places. Both sides in
the conflict claim the authority of their religious tradition
and ignore similar claims by their opponents as illegitimate.
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