Abstract

This study addresses the complex relationship between religion and society. The continuous existence of religion in contemporary Western societies represents the main issue of debate. Classical and contemporary sociological theories of religion are employed in order to explore the nature of religion, on one hand, and the place and form of religion within society, on the other. In doing so, major concepts such as secularization, modernity, and church are explored. It will be argued that religion is present in contemporary modern societies, even if it appears different from the forms it had in the past. This theoretical framework is used to address religion in two particular contexts, Quebec and Ireland. This thesis ultimately supports the necessity for theoretical approaches to religion that encompass the entire social environment.