Mapping the Growth of the Nones in Spain: Dynamics, Diversity, and the Porous Boundaries of Non-Religion in the Postsecular Age
In recent years, the debate on non-religion has gained prominence in the sociology of religion, making it one of the most interesting areas for further reflection on (post)secularization. Drawing on the key works on the subject, this article adopts a postsecular, religion-related field, constructivi...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Rafael Ruiz Andrés |
| author_facet | Rafael Ruiz Andrés |
| author_sort | Rafael Ruiz Andrés |
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| description | In recent years, the debate on non-religion has gained prominence in the sociology of religion, making it one of the most interesting areas for further reflection on (post)secularization. Drawing on the key works on the subject, this article adopts a postsecular, religion-related field, constructivist approach, with the main aim of understanding the diverse sector that is included within non-religion. This study uses a multimethod approach, focusing on the preliminary findings of a qualitative fieldwork on non-religion in Spain. The presentation and discussion of the results will be structured around two main axes: (a) an analysis of the growth of non-religion in Spain through three dynamics (irreligion, areligion, and hybridization) and (b) an exploration of the complexity and plurality of non-religion, paying particular attention to the blurred boundaries between religion and non-religion in the Spanish nones. Through both axes, the present research will challenge the idea that the rise of non-religion is merely a confirmation of ’religious decline’ and seek to understand it as a nuanced process in which the redefinition of the religious and spiritual also plays an important role, with implications for the postsecular debate and discussions of secularization, social theory, and sociological analysis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3ff67f15a2ca411ea8e2cf6e2ec1e5dd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-3ff67f15a2ca411ea8e2cf6e2ec1e5dd2025-08-20T02:18:04ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-03-0116441710.3390/rel16040417Mapping the Growth of the Nones in Spain: Dynamics, Diversity, and the Porous Boundaries of Non-Religion in the Postsecular AgeRafael Ruiz Andrés0Department of Applied Sociology, Faculty of Political Science and Sociology, Complutense University of Madrid, Somosaguas Campus S/N, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), SpainIn recent years, the debate on non-religion has gained prominence in the sociology of religion, making it one of the most interesting areas for further reflection on (post)secularization. Drawing on the key works on the subject, this article adopts a postsecular, religion-related field, constructivist approach, with the main aim of understanding the diverse sector that is included within non-religion. This study uses a multimethod approach, focusing on the preliminary findings of a qualitative fieldwork on non-religion in Spain. The presentation and discussion of the results will be structured around two main axes: (a) an analysis of the growth of non-religion in Spain through three dynamics (irreligion, areligion, and hybridization) and (b) an exploration of the complexity and plurality of non-religion, paying particular attention to the blurred boundaries between religion and non-religion in the Spanish nones. Through both axes, the present research will challenge the idea that the rise of non-religion is merely a confirmation of ’religious decline’ and seek to understand it as a nuanced process in which the redefinition of the religious and spiritual also plays an important role, with implications for the postsecular debate and discussions of secularization, social theory, and sociological analysis.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/4/417non-religionirreligionsecularizationSpainpostsecularityreligious pluralism |
| spellingShingle | Rafael Ruiz Andrés Mapping the Growth of the Nones in Spain: Dynamics, Diversity, and the Porous Boundaries of Non-Religion in the Postsecular Age Religions non-religion irreligion secularization Spain postsecularity religious pluralism |
| title | Mapping the Growth of the Nones in Spain: Dynamics, Diversity, and the Porous Boundaries of Non-Religion in the Postsecular Age |
| title_full | Mapping the Growth of the Nones in Spain: Dynamics, Diversity, and the Porous Boundaries of Non-Religion in the Postsecular Age |
| title_fullStr | Mapping the Growth of the Nones in Spain: Dynamics, Diversity, and the Porous Boundaries of Non-Religion in the Postsecular Age |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mapping the Growth of the Nones in Spain: Dynamics, Diversity, and the Porous Boundaries of Non-Religion in the Postsecular Age |
| title_short | Mapping the Growth of the Nones in Spain: Dynamics, Diversity, and the Porous Boundaries of Non-Religion in the Postsecular Age |
| title_sort | mapping the growth of the nones in spain dynamics diversity and the porous boundaries of non religion in the postsecular age |
| topic | non-religion irreligion secularization Spain postsecularity religious pluralism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/4/417 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rafaelruizandres mappingthegrowthofthenonesinspaindynamicsdiversityandtheporousboundariesofnonreligioninthepostsecularage |