Tradition and Secularism: Contemporary Religiosity (The Case of Uzbekistan)

Аннотация

This article explores the role of religion in modern society through the lens of the tension between tradition and secularization. Special attention is given to current processes of secularization prompted by scientific development, globalization, urbanization, and digital technology. It examines opposing trends such as the revival of religious practices and the strengthening of religious identity, particularly in Uzbekistan. The study also investigates potential conflicts between religious traditions and modern secular views, and concludes by proposing pathways toward the peaceful coexistence of traditional values and secular worldviews in a rapidly evolving society. Keywords: Religion, tradition, secularization, modern society, Uzbekistan, Islam, culture. causes and consequences of secularization, the Introduction: Throughout human history, religion has transformation of traditions, examples of conflict and played a pivotal role in shaping culture, morality, social coexistence, and potential pathways for harmonizing norms, and traditions. Even today, amid globalization, religious and secular values. technological advancement, and the spread of scientific rationality, religion remains a significant From antiquity, religion has played an integrative role element of public life. At the same time, processes of in societies, shaping political structures, legal systems, secularization—characterized by the diminishing moral norms, and cultural practices. Religious beliefs influence of religion on state institutions, education, have provided shared value systems, unified science, and everyday consciousness—are increasingly communities, and offered existential meaning. In observable. These two vectors, the preservation of ancient Egypt, for instance, the pharaoh was regarded traditions and the spread of secular worldviews, create as a divine ruler, and religious rituals upheld social a complex and sometimes contradictory picture of order and political legitimacy. In medieval Europe, contemporary society. It is particularly interesting to monarchs derived their authority from the notion of examine how these forces coexist and collide in specific "divine right," while the Catholic Church served as the national contexts, such as Uzbekistan, where religion primary social institution regulating many aspects of has deep historical roots, yet the state maintains a life. secular framework. In Central Asia, including present-day Uzbekistan, Islam The aim of this article is to analyze the interaction and became a crucial part of cultural and political identity tensions between religious traditions and from the 8th century onward, following the Arab secularization in contemporary society. In the context conquests. Islam introduced not only a new religious of rapid social and technological change, it is crucial to system but also fostered advancements in science, understand whether religion continues to influence education, and culture. Sufism, the mystical branch of morality, culture, and institutions, and how new forms Islam, gained wide influence in the region and played a of faith and secular consciousness are emerging. The formative role in ethical norms, spiritual traditions, and article examines the historical role of religion, the social solidarity. Sufi brotherhoods (tariqas) organized American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research 176 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajsshr American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141) pilgrimages, charity work, and support for the needy, modern social, political, and economic forces. thereby reinforcing community bonds and mutual In Uzbekistan, secularization is driven by several assistance. factors. The Soviet legacy of enforced atheism had a Religion imparts universal values such as honesty, profound impact, restricting religious institutions and compassion, justice, humility, mercy, and respect for bringing religious education under state control. Since elders. These moral norms are deeply embedded in gaining independence, however, there has been cultures and continue to exert influence even amid renewed interest in Islam as a component of national declining formal religiosity. identity and cultural heritage. As noted by Alisher Ilkhamov, Islam in Uzbekistan fulfills spiritual, social, Secularization—understood as the reduced role of cultural, and sometimes political functions. religion in various spheres of life—has become a central topic of debate in the social sciences. Classical Theoretical discussions on the impossibility of secularization theories, such as those proposed by complete secularization often point to countries where Peter Berger, associate this process with religious traditions persist despite high levels of modernization, rationalization, and the differentiation secularity. In such societies, secular thinking and deeply of social institutions. According to this view, in modern rooted rituals coexist in a symbolic or