What's in a Name?

Abstract

Abstract One of the claims of the post secular is that there is a renewed personal interest in religion. An important manifestation of this is, amongst other things, a rise in prominence of spirituality as a descriptor of the views of many young adults. Rather than being seen as a new category, however, phenomenon like the rise of spirituality can be explained by using secularization theory. If secularization is seen as a process it anticipates that religious views and practices, broadly defined, will persist but these will lack formative and directive power. In light of this, those involved in the theological education of young adults need to be mindful that many today are vulnerable to an uncritical acceptance of dominant cultural paradigms. This occurs especially when young adults do not experience communal support.