THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF SECULARIZATION PROCESSES IN EUROPE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS

The article reviews historical changes in the religious realm of the Western world caused by the emergence and gradual popularization of the Enlightenment rationalistic program. Special attention is paid to the way in which different social strata responded to secularization processes and transformations in Europe's religious field throughout the 18th century. As a result, it was found that contrary to established stereotypes, theologians of the 20th century did not show unanimity in their negative assessment of the achievements of the Age of Enlightenment. Instead, it was characteristic of many of them to see in the intellectual shifts of the 18th century positive consequences, i.e. the normalization of such thought categories and social practices as academic honesty, free scholarly discussion, liberty of conscience, and human rights.