Survivalism as a Substitute Religion: Sociological Analysis of Post-Secular Beliefs
This article explores a sociological study by Robert Schäfer, which posits that survivalists view their lifestyle as a substitute for traditional religion in an increasingly secular society. As church attendance declines, Schäfer investigates what non-religious individuals believe in, identifying survivalists as a key example of non-transcendent faith. Unlike preppers who prepare for temporary disruptions, survivalists radically anticipate the total collapse of civilization, seeking to return to a primal state governed by nature's laws. Schäfer argues that this movement addresses the human need to manage contingency and uncertainty. By rejecting modern comfort and consumerism, survivalists practice a form of inner-world asceticism, finding certainty in the binary reality of life and death within the wilderness. The study, based on interviews conducted between 2017 and 2023, suggests that survivalism is not merely a hobby but a distinct worldview. It offers existential clarity by replacing the fragile ambiguities of modern social structures with the absolute, unyielding order of nature, thereby providing a spiritual anchor for those disillusioned with contemporary secular life.
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Survivalism as a Substitute Religion: Sociological Analysis of Post-Secular Beliefs
This article explores a sociological study by Robert Schäfer, which posits that survivalists view their lifestyle as a substitute for traditional religion in an increasingly secular society. As church attendance declines, Schäfer investigates what non-religious individuals believe in, identifying survivalists as a key example of non-transcendent faith. Unlike preppers who prepare for temporary disruptions, survivalists radically anticipate the total collapse of civilization, seeking to return to a primal state governed by nature's laws. Schäfer argues that this movement addresses the human need to manage contingency and uncertainty. By rejecting modern comfort and consumerism, survivalists practice a form of inner-world asceticism, finding certainty in the binary reality of life and death within the wilderness. The study, based on interviews conducted between 2017 and 2023, suggests that survivalism is not merely a hobby but a distinct worldview. It offers existential clarity by replacing the fragile ambiguities of modern social structures with the absolute, unyielding order of nature, thereby providing a spiritual anchor for those disillusioned with contemporary secular life.
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