Jozef Mol

Jozef Mol (born January 29, 1889, died July 19, 1974) was a Belgian theologian and sociologist of religion. He is best known for his work on identity and the sociology of religion, particularly concerning the loss of religious identity in modern society. Mol's research focused on understanding how individuals and groups maintain or adapt their religious beliefs and practices in the face of secularization and social change.

His key concepts include "identity foreclosure," where individuals prematurely adopt a religious identity without fully exploring alternatives, and the notion of "institutionalization" as a crucial process in the perpetuation of religious traditions. He argued that religious institutions play a vital role in shaping and preserving religious identity across generations.

Mol held academic positions at McMaster University in Canada and the Australian National University. He authored numerous books and articles, including "Identity and the Sacred" (1976), which is considered a seminal work in the sociology of religion. His work continues to be influential in the study of religious identity, secularization, and the role of religion in contemporary society.