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Seculosity summary

David Zahl

How Modern Life Became Our New Religion

4.5 (113 ratings)
18 mins

Brief summary

Seculosity by David Zahl examines how secular pursuits, like work, relationships, and politics, have replaced traditional religion in offering identity and purpose. It critiques our societal obsession with performance and perfection.

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    Seculosity
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    Religiosity isn’t in decline, but it has changed its face

    A while back, a meme featuring Cruella de Vil, her eyes wild and hair disheveled as she clutches her car’s wheel, circulated on social media. It was captioned with the overwhelming daily tasks of modern life: excelling in work, maintaining social ties, and staying healthy. Underneath the picture, users from all walks of life wrote “Every day” and other affirmations like “Amen” and “Yep.” It was a good snapshot of the seemingly universal struggle with the relentless pace of today’s existence.

    In other words, we’re all overwhelmed by busyness.

    Is this constant busyness actually fulfilling? In our society, being busy is often equated with being important. It’s as if our worth and even our salvation depend on our productivity and how much we can juggle at once. This relentless hustle has morphed into a new form of religiosity – a secular one, driven not by traditional spiritual beliefs but by the everyday rituals of busyness. This shift doesn’t mean that the religious impulse has diminished; rather, it’s transformed and found new expressions.

    Many assume that as church attendance declines, people are drifting away from religious beliefs. But this isn’t the whole story. Instead of disappearing, religious impulses are being redirected into secular pursuits. This new “religion” of busyness carries its own set of beliefs and rituals, embedding itself deeply into our lives. It’s not something we do; it’s who we become, influencing how we perceive ourselves and our value in the world.

    The definition of religion itself may need reconsideration. If we take religion to mean the overarching stories that guide our lives and shape our values – what some call “small-r” religion – then it’s evident that traditional religious practices aren’t the only ways we seek meaning in our lives. From this perspective, anything that consumes our energy and dictates how we organize our lives can become a form of religion. This includes our careers, social interactions, personal goals, and even the technology we use.

    The real shift isn’t away from religiosity, then, but toward a new kind of religious experience – one that might not be recognized as such because it doesn’t fit traditional molds. Our modern-day rituals, be they checking our phones, curating our social media profiles, or optimizing our routines, all serve a similar function to the religious practices of old. They provide structure and offer a narrative by which we make sense of our lives and our world.

    In essence, while our society may appear more secular, the human quest for meaning, purpose, and community remains as strong as ever. It’s just that now, these elements are often pursued through secular avenues. Understanding this can help us manage the pressures of modern life, perhaps easing the relentless strive for busyness by recognizing its true nature as a secular pursuit for what used to be sought in the pews.

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    What is Seculosity about?

    Seculosity (2019)  takes aim at our futile quest for perfection in every aspect of our lives. It suggests that performance-obsessed striving makes us anxious, cruel, and miserable. So why do we continue chasing this mirage? It makes a compelling argument that perfectionism fills the hole left by the decline of capital-R religion: our human need for “enoughness.”

    Who should read Seculosity?

    • Individuals exploring modern cultural and religious practices
    • Readers seeking insights into personal and societal burnout
    • Fans of thoughtful, yet accessible theological discussions

    About the Author

    David Zahl is the founder of Mockingbird Ministries, an organization devoted to connecting the Christian faith with the realities of everyday life. He’s the editor-in-chief of the Mockingbird website and cohosts The Mockingcast, a podcast that delves into religion, culture, and the arts. He’s based in Virginia, where he serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church.

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