La théorie bergérienne de la certitude religieuse à l’épreuve de la théorie du choix rationnel

Abstract

Berger’s sociological theory of religion underlined the role of modern religious pluralism in undermining taken for granted religious certainties. The pluralization of expressions and of religious beliefs would lead to a challenge directed not only at the political management of religions but also at the sustainability of the religious content as such. The latter would weaken as the pluralism increased. In contrast, the economic school of the scientific study of religion, exploiting Rational Choice Theory (RCT), demonstrates that the development of the modern religious pluralism, far from sounding the death knell of religion’s strength, constitutes rather its mold, which would have been lacking in a situation of religious monopoly. This article goes into the detail of this school’s arguments with a critical aim regarding Berger’s point of view. It resorts to an abstract and theoretical method.