COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

GE 102- CONTEMPORARY WORLD

1ST SEMESTER 2024-2025

The Globalization of Religion

BSED ENGLISH 1A

REPORTERS

Hannah B. Biaco Adorico Orario III Willa Faye Patriarca

Jing Lamayo Luda

Course Facilitator
OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:

1. Explain how globalization affects religious practices and beliefs.

2. Analyse the relationship between religion and global conflict, and conversely, global peace.

INTRODUCTION

Globalization is the process where the world's people gradually came to live as one social
unit. In its early stages (1890s), religion was largely overlooked, with more focus on economic
and technological aspects. The study of religion within globalization is often limited to Islamic
political extremism, which lacks depth.

The chapter examines two possibilities:

1. The role of religion in globalization.

2. The effects of globalization on religion.

To understand these possibilities, it is important to explore the Secularization Theory and

academic perspectives on religion and globalization.

Globalization has significantly contributed to the revival and spread of religions beyond
their countries of origin. Religions have expanded globally, benefiting from the fertile
environment provided by globalization. Scholte (2005) noted that "accelerated spread times have
enabled co-religionists across the planet to have greater direct contact with one another," thanks
to global communications, organizations, and finance, which have allowed religious ideas to be
more concretely expressed.

Information technologies, transportation, and media have become crucial for spreading religious
ideas. Numerous websites now offer information about different religions, making it accessible
to anyone worldwide. The Internet facilitates global contact, enabling forums and debates that
help religious ideas spread.

Media outlets, including TV channels, radio stations, and print media, also promote religions.
Modern transportation has played a role in the rise and strengthening of religions, such as Islamic
revivalism in Asia, where improved travel has allowed Muslims to visit Mecca and return with
reformist ideas (Turner, 2007).
As Turner (2007) explained, globalization transforms the concept of "religion" into a global
system of competing and conflicting religions. This process has changed local and varied cultural
practices into recognizable global religions, making them more self-aware as "world religions"
(p. 146). This increased awareness has reinforced the specific identities of religions, making
them less likely to blend or hybridize. For instance, Islam and Christianity often remain
incompatible despite their interactions.

Globalization makes religious identities stronger, but it also creates challenges. In response to
globalization, people often focus more on their religion. Scholte (2005) pointed out that when
people emphasize their religious identity, it is often a way to protect themselves against the
effects 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.

In the succeeding years of the nineteenth century, sociologists and philosophers alike donned
that the emerging phenomenon known to many as globalization marks the beginning of religion's
forthcoming end, declaring that "it (religion) was a declining force in the world.“ They affirmed
that with all the modernizing dynamism occurring, religion would become an unimportant
element in people's lives and will inevitably vanish from modern society.

Prominent psychologists such as Sigmund Freud trained his students 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. Berger, the core idea of secularization lies with the complete
understanding that "modernization necessarily leads to a decline of religion, both in 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 modem 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 earlier chapters mentioned, globalization affects many parts of life, including religion and
beliefs. While some past scholars supported the idea that globalization would reduce religion,
others believed that religion would continue despite these changes. Peter L. Berger, who initially
supported the idea that globalization would lead to less religion, changed his mind in 1968. He
then predicted that by the 21st century, religious believers would be a small group trying to resist
a global secular culture.

THREE RELIGIOUS RESPONSES TO GLOBALIZATION

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

Unlike what secularists predicted, religion remains a significant part of people's daily lives
worldwide. It is not fading away as some believed. Peter L. Berger argues that in many places,
people are just as religious as ever. He notes that while secularization is active in some regions, it
doesn't affect all areas equally.

Religious communities have adapted by integrating modern ideas with their own beliefs.
Research from 2002 showed that 59% of people in the USA see religion as important, and in
Africa, 8 out of 10 people believe religion plays a vital role in their lives.

2. Emergence of Religious Fundamentalism

Religious fundamental movements are characterized by three key factors. First, they are based on
religious beliefs, goals, and leadership. Second, they act as a defense against the cultural changes
brought by globalization. Finally, they aim to protect or restore traditional social order and
religious authority.

This is seen in the growth of Orthodox Judaism in Israel, Shinto in Japan, and Sikhism in India,
among others. Despite their different beliefs, these religions share a strong motivation from their
religious doctrines.

3. New Roles and Identities of Religion

People often see terrorism as a conflict between different faiths, but religious institutions have
played a significant role in making peace between countries at war. Despite the view that religion
causes violence, its role in promoting peace is often overlooked.

Interdenominational dialogue is a form of religious reconciliation, with the Vatican successfully

mediating conflicts between Protestants and Catholics in North America. Religious groups and
faiths inspire communities and policymakers to support peace efforts. Some believe that religion
can help create positive global ethics to address issues like terrorism, inequality, and
environmental harm caused by globalization.

In today's globalized world, religion is not just a passive observer waiting for its end. Instead, it
actively shapes how globalization affects cultures and societies. At the same time, religion itself
is influenced and changes as it interacts with globalization.