A theoretical perspective on the societal significance of religion in South Africa

It is assumed that modernity is a factor inducing change in contemporary South Africa. This assumption is explained in terms of a characterisadon of recent social, political and economic changes. The theoretical perspective developed is based on the systems theory ofNiklas Luhmann but also incorporates a substantial critique of this theory by Ji.irgen Habermas. The societal significance of religion is considered in terms of three dimensions of religion in society. The focus of the article is the theoretical articulation of this three-dimensional model in terms of the possible societal significance of religion in contemporary South Africa.