Evolving Practice
Asynchronous Session
Nones and Pleasure: A Systematic Analysis of the Perception and Application of Pleasure in the Lives of Religious Nones
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Kevin Grane
Religious "nones" represent a significant portion of the US and Western world population, yet their actions and decision-making processes remain poorly understood. This paper addresses the misconception of religious nones as hedonistic individuals devoid of moral compass and instead explores the role of pleasure in shaping their everyday lives. Drawing on philosophical concepts such as hedonism, eudaimonia, harmonia, and legal positivism, the study examines how different types of religious nones approach pleasure and the sources of authority they rely on to determine its permissibility. Using a stratification system based on the locus of authority, the paper categorizes religious nones into distinct groups: inactive nonbelievers, inactive believers, involved seculars, spiritual but not religious individuals, and involved believers. Each group's orientation towards pleasure is analyzed within the framework of their relationship to authority, ranging from an internal locus of control to external sources such as religious doctrine or societal norms. Contrary to stereotypes, religious nones exhibit diverse attitudes towards pleasure, reflecting a complex interplay between individual autonomy and external influences. While some prioritize immediate gratification, others consider broader ethical or communal implications, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of pleasure beyond mere hedonism. This study challenges prevailing misconceptions and underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to studying religious nones, taking into account the multifaceted relationship between pleasure and authority in shaping their lived experiences.
New Forms of Religious Ideas and Practice in Contemporary Latvia
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Solveiga Krumina Konkova
The paper outlines changes in the religious landscape in Latvia in the 21st century. It characterises the specifics of secularisation and post-secularisation processes and, accepting conclusions of the British sociologist of religion Brian Wilson, shows that they take place in Latvian society according to a scenario that differs from the scenario in so-called Old Europe. A vital aspect of contemporary religiosity is emphasising the self and shifting from external authority to internal experience, increasing the appeal of esotericism. To illustrate this transition, the paper uses Christopher Partridge’s concept of “occulture,” which helps understand the role of mystical experience in the contemporary religious environment in Latvia. Thus, the Christian Church’s returning “to tradition” increasingly focuses on mystical experience and related practices. This trend aligns it with occulture, emphasising the connection with the “authentic” Christian tradition. The popularity of the spiritual heritage of the mystics of the Spanish Golden Age and the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela among non-Catholic believers and wholly secular people are some facts to consider. Discussions about Russia's "messianism" in the war in Ukraine also evidence the strengthening of esotericism. The influence of occulture on Latvia’s religious landscape may be temporary, but it may also be a much more severe application of a new model of religiosity. The paper is a part of the research project Theoretical Aspects of Researching the Religious Landscape of Modern Latvia, financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility project “Internal and External Consolidation of the University of Latvia” (No.5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/007).
Featured Rationality Meets Secular Spirituality: Mostafa Malekian's TRS and the Rise of Secular Spirituality in Iran
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Faezeh Izadi
This paper explores the relationship between moral philosopher Mostafa Malekian’s Theory of Rationality and Spirituality (TRS) and both the discourse of new-age spirituality in the West and the spiritual lifestyle of Iranians. After presenting the theoretical frameworks of contemporary (secular) spiritualities and the TRS, the paper evaluates the TRS through four prominent features of contemporary spiritualities: syncretism, tolerance and pluralism, individualism and personal experiences, as well as flourishing and happiness. Additionally, the paper highlights the impact of the TRS on the increasing popularity of secular spirituality among Iranians, particularly educated youth, arguing that the TRS may be considered a significant factor in the acceptance of this new spiritual lifestyle among some Iranians. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the analysis employs historical interpretative and critical descriptive methodologies. The framework of the 'Theory of Secularization' and the 'Theory of Multiple Modernities' is used to guide the examination. This study aims to explore secular spirituality, investigate Malekian's role as a 'spiritual intellectual,' and assess his ideas' impact on shaping a new spiritual lifestyle among Iranian-educated youth. Furthermore, it examines the shifting religiosity of Iranians over the last two decades and the growing popularity of secular and spiritual lifestyles in contemporary Iranian society. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on the interplay between traditional religion and modernity, shedding light on the factors influencing the adoption of non-religious spiritual lifestyles within the cultural and socio-political context of Iran.
