Scribd
Upload
87 views2 pages

Impact of Globalization on Religion

The document discusses the relationship between religion and globalization. It begins by explaining theories of secularization that predicted religion would decline with modernization. However, religion has shown resilience and persistence in the global sphere. Some religious responses to globalization include the resurgence of religion, emergence of religious fundamentalism as a response to cultural changes, and religion taking on new roles and identities in international politics. Overall, religion plays an active role in how globalization influences cultures and is also influenced itself as it adapts to the phenomenon of globalization.

Uploaded by

Devine Gabat
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
87 views2 pages

Impact of Globalization on Religion

The document discusses the relationship between religion and globalization. It begins by explaining theories of secularization that predicted religion would decline with modernization. However, religion has shown resilience and persistence in the global sphere. Some religious responses to globalization include the resurgence of religion, emergence of religious fundamentalism as a response to cultural changes, and religion taking on new roles and identities in international politics. Overall, religion plays an active role in how globalization influences cultures and is also influenced itself as it adapts to the phenomenon of globalization.

Uploaded by

Devine Gabat
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Globalization of Religion

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
• explain how globalization affects religious practices and beliefs.
• analyze the relationship between religion and global conflict, and conversely, global peace.

Globalization denotes the chronological development by which all the world’s people gradually
came to live in a social unit. Throughout its early beginning as a phenomenon in the 1890’s, inadequate
attention was given to religion as an important driving force focusing entirely on the economic and
technological facets. However, there is more to religion than the restricted highlighting of Islamic political
extremism which is basically the nearest, impartial and scant courtesy provided in its study. In this chapter,
we will look into two possibilities that religion and globalization presents to the contemporary period. One of
these possibilities emphasizes the role of religion in globalization and the other being the effects of
globalization to religion. In order to achieve this goal, especially the latter, it is paramount that we examine
the Secularization Theory and the views of several academicians in relation to religion and the advent of
globalization.

Secularization: The Apocalypse of Religion

In the eighteenth century, many thinkers became unsatisfied with religious and theological
explanation of human actions that early social scientists were invigorated to theorize rational justifications
for socially occurring phenomena. The minds and awareness of the people are growing too big to simply
accept the theological stage of social advancement and it tenets. This kind of philosophy advocating the
use or reason rather than relying on the supernatural and religious order began, together with similar
developments in other fields, gave birth to the Age of Enlightenment.

. Prominent psychologists such as Sigmund Freud trained his student to view religion as the
“greatest of all neurotic illusions” and that its end would be upon the therapist’s couch. According to Peter
L. Burger, the core idea of secularization lies with the complete understanding that “Modernizations
necessarily leads to a decline of religion, both is society and the mind of individuals.” – the dawdling death
of religion.
According to Rodney Stark in his Sociology of Religion, there are five features of the imminent
death of religion following the rise of globalization, these are as follows:
a. Modernizations is a causal engine dragging the gods into retirement;
b. Secularization theory not only predicted the end of religion in terms of religious institution as
expressed in the separation of church and state and the decline of authority of religious leaders, but
also in the sphere of individual piety and religiousness;
c. It is explicit that science has influenced mostly the death of religions in modern secular society;
d. Secularization is an unstoppable and irreversible social force;
e. Secularization as a process is not only limited to Christianity or Christendom, but also to other world
religions and the global world.

Current State of Religion in the Globalized Sphere

As previous chapters of this text stressed, the effects of globalization is farfetched, stretching
beyond boundaries, influencing the various aspects of humanity including religion and people’s belief.
It is good to note that processes of change involving religion and globalization has a mutual effect on one
another. This section of this chapter will focus on three religious responses to globalization.

1. Resurgence of religion in the Global Society


Dissimilar to what was prophesized by secularists, religion continues to as a significant factor
influencing the daily lives of people around the globe. Religion endures and persists – it is not a dying
institution as some would believe. Berger further disputes that in many parts of the world, “ people are as
furiously religious as they ever were”.
2. Emergence of Religious Fundamentalism
Religious fundamental movements are regarded with three essential factors. First, it is strongly founded on
religious ideology, philosophy, goals, and leadership is grounded on religious beliefs and practices. Next,
fundamentalism serves as a stronghold against the invasive cultural dramatic changes brought about by
globalization
3. New Roles and Identities of Religion
Religion and globalization have always have a stake with regard to notions of struggle and conflict,
one winning triumph over the other is some instances. In the field of international politics, religion has been
regarded as a new source of clash between and among people with different and even similar beliefs

Religion in this globalized arena therefore cannot be considered as a passive, apathetic by-stander
patiently awaiting it demise. It actively influences how far and how deep globalization infiltrates cultures and
societies in the global sphere. And throughout the process it too gets influenced and experience change as
it adopts the unescapable phenomenon called globalization.

Common questions

Powered by AI

Globalization affects the autonomy of religion by both challenging and reshaping its influence in modern societies. The secularization theory posits a decline in religious authority and a separation of religious institutions from state affairs . However, the persistence and adaptation of religion in a globalized context suggest not an end, but a transformation where religion reasserts its autonomy through new roles, including its participation in global conflicts and cultural exchanges .

The document outlines that religious fundamentalist movements are characterized by a strong grounding in religious ideology, serving as bastions against the cultural changes globalization brings . They possess clearly defined goals and leadership rooted in religious doctrine, presenting a response aimed at preserving traditional beliefs in the face of global cultural shifts .

The document posits that globalization can lead to religious conflict by intensifying identity-based clashes amid cultural exchanges influenced by global forces . Conversely, it can promote peace through the potential for increased understanding and cooperation across different religious traditions and communities, facilitated by a globalized communication network . The dual potential of globalization reflects its role as a complex force that can both divide and unify religious groups depending on how it interacts with local religious dynamics.

Secularization theory suggests that modernization brought on by globalization leads to a decline of religion both in society and in individual minds . This process includes the separation of church and state, a decline in religious authority, and a decrease in individual piety as science and reason replace religious explanations for social phenomena . Moreover, secularization is described as an unstoppable and irreversible social force that affects all world religions, not just Christianity .

Arguments against the secularization thesis include the observed resurgence and persistence of religion, contrary to predictions of its decline. In many regions, people are as religious as previously, indicating that modernization does not necessarily lead to reduced religiosity . Religion continues to play an active role in society and influences globalization, contrary to the secularization thesis which predicted religion's diminishing social authority and influence .

In globalized societies, religion adopts new roles and identities by engaging actively in the ongoing process of globalization. It is not a bystander waiting for its decline; instead, it influences and is influenced by global cultural exchanges and conflicts . Religion often defines itself in contrast to globalization, taking on roles that address its impacts on local cultures and identities .

Religion plays a new and significant role in global conflicts, serving as a basis for clashes even among people with similar beliefs . In the context of globalization, religious identities can become sources of conflict as they intersect with global political dynamics . Rather than being a passive observer, religion actively influences the depth and scope of globalization and its attendant conflicts .

Globalization influences religious fundamentalism by being a cultural force against which fundamentalist movements often react. These movements use religious ideology, philosophy, and leadership to resist invasive cultural changes brought about by globalization . Fundamentalisms serve as strongholds that protect traditional beliefs and practices in the face of global cultural shifts .

The document counters secularist predictions by describing a resurgence of religion, stating that religion endures as a significant influence on people's daily lives worldwide . It notes that instead of witnessing a decline, many societies remain as religious as ever, challenging the view that modernization leads necessarily to the decline of religious practices and beliefs .

The document presents two possibilities regarding the relationship between religion and globalization: first, the role of religion in the process of globalization itself, and second, the effects of globalization on religious beliefs and practices . Both possibilities highlight the interactive influence between the global socio-political landscape and religious traditions .

You might also like