The Sociology of Islam, The

According to Peter Berger (1999), modern societies in general are more religious today than in the past, implying that secularization is not taking place.

The concept of a ‘market oriented democracy’ has a different meaning today and involves different characteristics from the original idea of democracy

Therefore, a single Muslim society does not actually exist; instead there are multiple identities among Muslims based on their interaction with and understanding of Islam (Zubaida 1995).

This is what it means to live according to a modern way of life. The modern individual has little time for praying or attending church or mosque; therefore, his new religion is capitalism, which can be understood as a form of religion without a God.

Consequently, God is no longer in the church or mosque, but exists instead in the public and social space.

Capitalism is able to gradually domesticate Islam and become the more powerful force, through the increased interaction of individuals with the marketplace

However, Islam, Christianity and Judaism should each be viewed as structures that enable individuals to regulate every aspect of their daily lives, in the same way that capitalism does