I’ve been trying to better understand how philosophers approach the idea of secularization, particularly the claim that religion declines as societies become more modern and rational.
However, it seems that even in societies considered highly secular, people still organize their beliefs, values, and identities in structured ways that resemble religious systems—whether through political ideologies, cultural identities, or other frameworks.
Are there philosophical perspectives that interpret secularization not as the disappearance of religion, but as a transformation of how belief systems function?
In particular, I’m interested in:
* how thinkers like Weber or Durkheim are interpreted in this context
* whether there are contemporary philosophers who argue that “religious-like” structures persist in non-religious forms
* how philosophers distinguish between religion and other systems of meaning (e.g. ideology, culture)
Any references or explanations would be appreciated.