Religious doctrines and social evolution

Author: Lu Man
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: The world itself is contingent, chosen from among numerous other possibilities. This idea is accepted because the fulfillment of this choice is also guaranteed by God. This article does not aim to provide a comprehensive review of Lu Man's academic work, which now rivals that of Weber in academic reputation, but only briefly discusses the key points of his religious perspective in liberal social theory. The book elaborates on the sociological view that religious functions can simplify the complexity of modern society through the discussion of the increasing complexity of social systems and the analysis of the evolution of traditional religion. Lu Man emphasizes explanation with the intention of revelation—hoping that theologians become aware of the functions of religion, reflect on what traditional institutionalized religion has lost, retained, and what resources it can still provide for modern society's communication. From the perspective of the actual structure of modern society, one might ask, how is this possible? How can the socializing function of religion be imagined in a social reality of social and religious differentiation? In this sense, the article "The Differentiation of Religion" is the cornerstone of the "Theory of Religious Functions."