S01E22 - Secularization – Just a Myth or a Modern Myth of Origin? Thomas Luckmann’s Contribution to the Critique of Secularization

This article explores Thomas Luckmann’s influential perspective on secularization, framing it not as a simple decline in faith but as a modern myth of origin. The author explains that this "myth" serves as a narrative for society to define itself as modern by contrasting its current state with a religious past. While some critics use empirical data to argue that religion is objectively vanishing, Luckmann suggests that religion is actually being restructured and relocated into private and non-institutional spheres. The text critiques the limitations of defining religion so broadly that it becomes an essential human trait, which can conflict with evidence of purely secular societies. Ultimately, the source examines how different scholars view secularization as either a scientific fact, a political ideology, or a foundational story that shapes contemporary identity. This analysis highlights how religious authority has shifted toward public arenas like the judiciary, social media, and popular culture.Citation: Wohlrab-Sahr, Monika. 2026. “Secularization – Just a Myth or a Modern Myth of Origin? Thomas Luckmann’s Contribution to the Critique of Secularization.” Human Studies. doi:10.1007/s10746-026-09833-5.