Seculocity

Seculocity is a term coined by David Zahl and it refers to the way modern society has created a new, secular religion centered around the pursuit of success, perfection, and control in various areas of life.

He argues that many of the things we value and pursue, such as career success, perfect parenting, technological advancements, food trends, political activism, and romantic relationships, have taken on religious-like significance.

These pursuits can be beneficial but they often lead to anxiety, guilt, and a sense of inadequacy when we inevitably fall short. We often place our hopes and dreams on these pursuits, believing that they will bring us happiness and fulfillment. However, when we inevitably fall short, we can experience a sense of spiritual emptiness and despair.

Here are some of the book's key arguments:

Performancism: The relentless pressure to be better, do more, and achieve more in all areas of life. This can lead to a constant feeling of falling short and a never-ending cycle of striving.
The Illusion of Control: The belief that we can control our lives and outcomes through our own efforts. This can create a false sense of security and lead to disappointment when things don't go as planned.
The Gospel as Good News: The Christian gospel offers a liberating alternative to the anxiety and striving of secularity. It presents a message of grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love that can free us from the burden of performance and control.

Zahl emphasizes that while the pursuits of career success, perfect parenting, technological advancements, and other aspects of life can be beneficial but they should not become our ultimate sources of meaning and fulfillment. Instead, he suggests that we should find our identity and purpose in the traditional religion.

The purpose of traditional religion has varied across cultures and time periods, but some common themes emerge:

Providing Meaning and Purpose: Religion often offers a framework for understanding life's meaning, purpose, and ultimate destiny. It can provide answers to existential questions like "Why are we here?" and "What happens after death?"
Offering a Sense of Community: Religious communities provide a sense of belonging and support. Shared beliefs and practices can foster strong social bonds and a feeling of connection to something larger than oneself.
Providing Moral Guidance: Many religions offer moral codes and ethical guidelines that help individuals navigate life's challenges and make ethical decisions. These codes can provide a sense of right and wrong and contribute to a more harmonious society.
Facilitating Ritual and Ceremony: Religious rituals and ceremonies can be important for marking life events, expressing gratitude, or seeking divine intervention. These practices can provide a sense of comfort, hope, and connection to a higher power.
Promoting Social Cohesion: Religion can play a role in promoting social cohesion and stability. Shared beliefs and values can help to unite people and create a sense of common purpose.

The modern society's effort to replace traditional religion with secular religion centered on pursuits of success has limitations.

Seculocity offers a critique of the modern worldview and suggests that a deeper source of meaning and fulfillment can be found in traditional religion.

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