Sociology -- Sociology of Religion Essay

Finally, the rise of science and technology due to industrialization militated against institutionalized religion (Bruce, 2002, p. 18). As people became more educated and reliant on science and technology in their everyday lives and work lives, religious disagreements with science and led people to abandon institutional religions as unscientific and backward. People knew that science and technology worked; therefore, religious arguments against science and technology tended to be rejected. In sum, the religious and secular teachings of the Protestant Reformation caused people to move toward greater secularization for religious, economic, social and intellectual reasons.

3. Conclusion

The Protestant Reformation significantly contributed to both Capitalism and Secularization in the West. By eliminating or reducing the Roman Catholic Church's underpinnings, including the Sacraments and obedience to Church authorities for salvation, the Reformation caused individuals to search here on earth for signs that they were saved and to rely on themselves rather than the Church. In addition, Protestant religions such as Calvinism taught that a person should plan, work hard, practice discipline and self-denial and pursue earthly wealth, all of which glorified God. Those teachings combined to form a "Protestant Ethic" that led masses of people to morally, religiously capitalistic lives. In addition, Protestantism contributed greatly to secularization in the West, as reliance on religion was lessened and as the demands and benefits of industrialization, stratification, greater education, science and technology all militated against the common person's membership in institutionalized religion.

Works Cited

Bruce, S. (2002). God is dead: Secularization in the west…