Religious Identity in Modern Life
In modern society, mandatory membership in a religious organization is not considered a necessary condition for a fulfilling life. As one source states, “Without the Church, only the Christian life is impossible, and there are very few zealous defenders of this life; the majority prefer a semi-pagan life. Even modern idolatry is manifested in the rejection of the Holy Church…” (source: link txt). This indicates that although religion influences the formation of value systems, for many people institutional affiliation with the Church is neither a priority nor a necessity in everyday life.
Furthermore, another excerpt emphasizes that “The Church?Its life does not concern us; we have become accustomed to managing without it” (source: link txt). Here, the focus is on the fact that people in today’s educated society are capable of pursuing their interests without relying on a religious community, while their life aspirations are more often connected with other social institutions and universal human values.Thus, contemporary trends show that religious affiliation is a personal choice rather than an objective requirement, as individuals find alternative ways to shape their worldview and engage in public life.