Religions and Modern Society

Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Shinto: religion and / as cultural systems (Geertz, Luhmann). Processes of modernization, the concept of modern society and the diversity of modernity (Eisenstadt). Max Weber and his topic / thesis: the influence of Protestant Christianity in the formation of the capitalist West (modern) society; Weber's comparative analysis of the relationship between different religions and economies and in different societies and cultures. Other features of modern Western society in relation to various religions and religious traditions: functional differentiation and secularization, institutionalized individualism and human rights (in particular the issue of religious freedom), the question of parliamentary democracy, women's equality, nationalism and religious traditions. Comparative insight into the (holy) texts and specific social and cultural contexts (Europe, USA, South America, the company's dominance in the Islamic tradition, Japan ...).