Reflections on postmodern spirituality. Special features, opportunities, risks

Abstract

While the traditional churches are registrating a decline in membership and their belief systems are increasingly losing their persuasive power, over the last fifty years a new self-determined spirituality has been spreading, which is gaining importance for a growing number of individuals. This new spirituality shows key features of postmodernism, so that it is called postmodern spirituality here. In this article the developmental history of postmodern spirituality will be worked out. Thereafter typical characteristics of postmodern spirituality will be described. Furthermore it will be shown, that postmodern spirituality not only includes desirable and positive characteristics but also risks and dangers. It will be argued, that the shadow sides of postmodern spirituality should not be considered in isolation, that means only within the realm of spirituality. Rather they have to be reflected within the context of our contemporary western culture.