Branislav Filipović

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THE FUTURE OF RELIGION, AN INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL CONTROVERSIES

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Theoretical research under the title ''The Future of Religion, An Introduction to Theoretical Controversies" offers sociological models according to which religion might move in the future. The first model emphasizes traditional religions, conservative religous forces, ecumenical and "Abraham's movements". This model predicts the rise of traditional religions in the years to come. The second model pays special attention to the new religious movements, spiritual movement New Age, cyber-religions and to new types of religiosity in general. The third model examines the possibilities of the end of the religious consciousness in the society, as well as the prospects of the expanding phenomenon of the social apatheism. Except for that, it re-examins possible future relationship between the widest world's social process (globalization) and religion. The history of the future of religion does not have to be the same as the given models.

Key words: traditionalism, revivalism, new religiosity, globalization.