The magic of secularization

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ID: 321623
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Institutional secularization does not necessitate a secular public. In fact, as church memberships decline, more individualized sources of supernatural belief can emerge. Using a nationally representative survey of American adults (n = 1812), we analyze the popularity of “secular rationalism” and how it relates to belief in non-Divine supernatural causation, i.e., magic. Our findings suggest that belief in magic is not simply the inverse of religiosity or secular rationalism. Instead, belief in magic emerges most strongly among those who are both scientifically oriented and residually religious. Secular rationalism does not erase belief in supernatural mechanisms—it affirms the individual’s agency to decide what they are. In short, magic thrives where reason and spirituality meet, suggesting that modernity’s rational turn does not disenchant so much as release faith from institutional restraints.
Reference Key
openalex_W7169798129 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Paul Froese, Isaiah King, Ruiqian Li
Journal social forces
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/sf/soag097
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soag097
Keywords Keywords not found

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