Sacred Texts Reimagined: Negotiating Religious Authority in Post-Secular Societies

Abstract

In post-secular societies—where the public sphere increasingly acknowledges the continued influence of religion—sacred texts must be reimagined to negotiate religious authority amidst contesting secular and pluralistic values. This article examines how religious actors reinterpret canonical scriptures to maintain legitimacy, mediate institutional authority, and respond to modern sociocultural challenges. Across three national contexts—Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and Singapore—the study employs discourse analysis of sermons, public statements, and digital content, alongside interviews with religious leaders and lay participants. It finds that sacred texts are reconfigured rhetorically, clearing new ground for adaptive authority that straddles tradition and modern sensibilities. The article contributes to theoretical understandings of religious authority in post-secularity and calls for an expanded framework that acknowledges the dynamic interplay between text, context, and community.