The Many Altars of Modernity

Chapter 3: Pluralism and Religious Institutions

In the first chapter I used the theory of Arnold Gehlen to delineate the character of institutions. Put simply, an institution is a program of behavior which, if properly internalized, makes the individual act spontaneously and without much if any reflection in the relevant sector of social life. For example, if I sit down for a meal I know exactly how to proceed with the actual task of getting the food into my mouth, to the point where I can completely forget about this task and am able, at the same time, to engage in a sophisticated conversation about sociological theory. I take it for granted, as do my fellow diners, that I will use a spoon to eat the soup, use a knife and fork to cut the meat, ...