What is a postsecular worldview?

patchwork quilt: a metaphor for a postsecular worldview

At the heart of a new cultural spiritual arc is a postsecular worldview. A postsecular worldview sanctions both secular and religious/spiritual perspectives within political, social, and cultural discourse. In this way, a postsecular worldview is a shift away from a secular worldview.

A secular worldview sought “institutional separation, freedom of belief and no discrimination on grounds of religion.” (Jeremy Rodell: What do secularists mean by secularism? January 9th, 2019). A secular worldview sought a “reduction in institutional church power” (Rodell). Religion was “relegated to the sphere of private belief” (Clayton Crockett: What is postsecularism?). Religion was no longer welcome within the sphere of public discourse. So, secularism generated a shift from religion as the foundation for public discourse.

In contrast to a secular worldview, a postsecular worldview takes a both/and stance whereby both secular and religious/spiritual perspectives are welcome. So, without investing power in the institutional church a postsecular worldview brings “back the religious and spiritual traditions into conversation with secular meaning-making belief systems“ (Crockett). Even though a both/and stance creates dialectical tension, it better represents the world in which we live.

The historical shift in worldviews has been from:

1. a religious worldview where a religious tradition was foundational to political, social, and cultural discourse . . . to

2. a secular worldview where religious and spiritual traditions were no longer welcome in public discourse . . . to

3. a postsecular worldview where both secular and religious/spiritual belief systems are welcome within public discourse.

Each of the shifts in worldview is a significant occurrence that should not be taken lightly. Each is a crucial moment that marks a turning point in the course of events that shape the world in which we live.

Shared common ground

What is the shared common ground that can unify diverse secular and religious/spiritual belief systems within a postsecular worldview?  Previous blogs have named three aspects of shared common ground:
1. we all share one planet;
2. the human tradition;
3. the human longing to belong.
Each aspect listed above is predicated on the principle of interconnectedness via unity with diversity. The shared common ground orientates the public discourse undertaken within a postsecular worldview.

 A patchwork quilt metaphor

One metaphor that underscores the type of public discourse possible within a postsecular worldview is that of a patchwork quilt. A patchwork quilt comprises many pieces of cloth that vary in size, shape, and colour. Sometimes the colours even clash. Yet when the pieces of cloth are sewn together by an experienced and creative quilter, each piece takes its unique place within the whole. The final product is beautiful, complex, and functional. In a similar manner to a patchwork quilt, public discourse which is orientated around the shared common ground and the principle of interconnectedness via unity with diversity can figuratively stitch together the diverse secular and religious/spiritual perspectives around a unifying centrepiece. In this way, each secular and religious/spiritual belief system can voice its unique perspective within the wider public discourse.

The postsecular stance of both/and is generating a new cultural spiritual arc for Western societies.