Lesson 10: GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGION

Globalization - A phenomenon characterized by the interconnection and expansion of

local products, beliefs, and practices into universal entities through technological
advancements, has significantly impacted religious systems worldwide.

Religion - Defined as a cultural framework encompassing belief structures and

worldviews that establish symbiotic relationships between humanity, spirituality, and
moral values, has both influenced and been influenced by these globalization processes.

Types of Religion
Scholars across various disciplines have endeavored to classify religions based on
multiple criteria. A widely accepted categorization system, which facilitates the
understanding of diverse belief systems, focuses on the object or entity of worship. This
classification system includes:

1. Monotheism, which is a religion based on belief in a single deity, exemplified by the

Abrahamic religions.
2. Polytheism, observed in various manifestations of Hinduism's godhead, involves
belief in multiple deities.
3. Animism, practiced in religions like Shinto, attributes divinity to non-human entities
such as animals, plants, and natural objects.
4. Totemism, found in certain Native American beliefs like those of the Ojibwa, posits a
divine connection between humans and other natural beings.

Beyond belief systems, societies also include non-believers: atheists, who reject the
divine, and agnostics, uncertain of its existence. Despite lacking formal structures, these
groups constitute a significant portion of the global population. Importantly, atheism or
agnosticism does not preclude moral behavior (World Religions, 2021).

The World’s Religions and Philosophies

Religions have emerged and evolved globally, exhibiting diverse trajectories. While
some belief systems have endured and expanded over millennia, others have
experienced temporal limitations and eventual decline.

Hinduism
Hinduism, the world's oldest religion, traces its origins to the Indus River Valley
approximately 4,500 years ago, within the geographical expanse of modern-day
northwest India and Pakistan. Its emergence coincided with the development of ancient
Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. With approximately one billion adherents,
Hinduism ranks as the third-largest religion globally. Hindus ascribe to the belief in a
divine power capable of manifesting in diverse forms. Three primary manifestations—
Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—often draw parallels with the Christian concept of the
Trinity.
The Vedas, a collection of sacred texts composed primarily in Sanskrit, encapsulate
hymns and rituals from ancient India. Central to Hindu belief is the concept of dharma,
representing one's moral and ethical duties in accordance with the cosmic order. Hindus
also embrace the doctrine of karma, which posits a cyclical balance of spiritual
consequences for actions performed in this or previous lives, leading to the concept of
reincarnation (World Religions, 2021).

Buddhism
Buddhism emerged around 500 BCE through the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.
Renouncing a life of affluence, Gautama embraced a path of poverty and spiritual
discipline. At the age of thirty-five, following a profound meditative experience beneath
a sacred fig tree, he attained enlightenment, thereafter being revered as the Buddha, or
"Awakened One." Attracted to his wisdom and meditation practices, a following
emerged, culminating in the establishment of a monastic order.
Central to Buddhist philosophy are the Four Noble Truths: the inevitability of suffering,
its origin in attachment to desire, the cessation of suffering through detachment, and
the path to liberation. The "middle way," a core Buddhist principle, advocates for a
balanced approach to life characterized by present-moment awareness and universal
acceptance. Unlike many religions, Buddhism deemphasizes a divine figurehead, instead
prioritizing individual responsibility for spiritual growth (Craig, 2002).

Confucianism
Confucianism finds its origins in the teachings of Kung Fu-Tzu, a renowned philosopher
and educator who flourished during the sixth and fifth centuries BCE. Celebrated for his
wisdom on self-discipline, reverence for authority and tradition, and the principle of jen
—benevolence or humaneness—Confucius' insights are meticulously compiled in the
Analects.
Often categorized as a philosophy or social system rather than a religion, Confucianism
primarily focuses on ethical conduct and social harmony. Unlike traditional religions, it
lacks formal deities or prescribed rituals. Its emergence was catalyzed by the prevailing
social turmoil and moral decline of its time. In response to these challenges, Confucius
articulated a comprehensive moral framework aimed at societal rejuvenation (Smith,
1991).

Taoism
Taoism, a philosophy and religion originating in ancient China, prioritizes the attainment
of inner peace and harmony. The term "Tao," often translated as "Way" or "Path,"
encapsulates a fundamental principle underlying the universe. Traditionally attributed
to Laozi, a philosopher of the sixth century BCE, Taoism emphasizes compassion and
moderation as cardinal virtues.
The concept of Tao is multifaceted, encompassing spiritual reality, cosmic order, and a
harmonious human existence aligned with these higher principles. The yin-yang symbol
and the doctrine of polar forces constitute core tenets of Taoist thought. In contrast to
the Confucian emphasis on societal norms and conduct, Taoism delves into a more
profound spiritual dimension of human experience (Feng & English, 1972).

Judaism
The Jewish people, historically a nomadic society, established a monotheistic tradition
centered on the worship of a single deity. A pivotal element of Judaism is the covenant,
a sacred pact between the Jewish people and God, often referred to as Adonai or
HaShem. Abraham, revered as a foundational figure in Judaism, is also acknowledged as
a patriarch of Christianity and Islam, thereby establishing a common lineage among
these and other Abrahamic faiths. The Torah, the foundational text of Judaism, is also
the first five books of the Christian Bible.
Judaism places a strong emphasis on ethical conduct and earthly actions rather than
solely on beliefs or eschatological concerns. The influence of Jewish culture is pervasive,
particularly through the Ten Commandments, which were received by Moses, and the
concept of Judeo-Christian values adopted by many societies.
Jewish identity is complex, encompassing both religious and ethnic dimensions (Glauz-
Todrank, 2014). The historical trajectory of the Jewish people, marked by invasions,
wars, and the destruction of the Second Temple, led to the Diaspora, a dispersion of
Jewish communities across the globe. While significant Jewish populations emerged in
Europe, subsequent migration patterns established substantial communities in the
Americas. Contemporary Jewish individuals often identify more with their Jewish
heritage than with specific national origins. The United States currently hosts the
second-largest Jewish population globally, following Israel, constituting approximately
1.9% of the American population (Pew Research Center, 2018).

Islam
Islam, a monotheistic religion, adheres to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, born in
Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 570 CE. Revered as a prophet and messenger of Allah (God),
Muhammad is not considered divine. Followers of Islam are termed Muslims.
The term "Islam" signifies peace and submission. The Quran, the sacred scripture of
Islam, shares numerous narratives with the Jewish faith's Old Testament. While internal
divisions exist within Islam, its adherents are unified by five fundamental pillars: the
affirmation of Allah as the sole deity and Muhammad as His prophet; regular prayer;
almsgiving; fasting during Ramadan; and the Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islam is the world's second-largest religion, with a global following. While predominantly
concentrated in the Middle East, Muslims constitute a significant portion of the
population in various regions, including Southeast Asia. Indonesia holds the largest
Muslim population globally, while the United States houses the third-largest Muslim
community, a demographic projected to surpass the Jewish population by 2040 (Pew
Research Center, 2018).

Christianity
Christianity, currently the world's largest religion, emerged approximately 2,000 years
ago in Palestine. Its foundational figure, Jesus of Nazareth, emphasized caritas, or
selfless love, as a core principle. The Christian sacred text is the Bible.
While sharing historical narratives with Judaism and Islam, Christianity diverges in its
theological interpretations. A central point of divergence lies in the messianic
prophecies. Christians believe Jesus Christ to be the prophesied Messiah, while Judaism
and Islam maintain that the Messiah is yet to come.
Protestantism constitutes the largest Christian denomination in the United States,
encompassing Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, and other branches.
However, Catholicism surpasses any individual Protestant denomination in terms of
American adherents (Pew Research Center, 2018).
Christian denominations exhibit variations in canonical texts. For instance, the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints incorporates the Book of Mormon as supplementary
scripture, while the Catholic Church includes the Apocrypha. Despite these differences,
a common thread uniting Christians is monotheism, often expressed through the
doctrine of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is understood as the divine presence experienced by believers. The Ten
Commandments, a foundational moral code shared with Judaism, outline prohibitions
against actions considered sinful.

 More than culture, religion has the most complex relationship with globalism.
 Religion is concerned with the sacred, globalism is preoccupied with material gain.
 Religious people are less concerned with wealth, status, etc.; concern is to live a
virtuous life & go to heaven/paradise after death.
 Globalists are less concerned where they will spend eternity; globalists aspire to be
a successful businessperson.
 Religion & globalization collide because religious evangelism is a sort of
globalization in & of itself, where the religious want global dissemination of their
sacred ideals.
 “Missions” sent by American Born-Again Christian churches, Sufi & Shiite Muslim
orders, Buddhist monasteries, Catholic, Protestant & Mormon churches are efforts
at “spreading the word of God” & gaining followers abroad.
 Some people “flee” their communities & establish impregnable sanctuaries where
they can practice their religions free from state interference & supervision.
 Ex. Tibet – established by followers of the Dalai Lama.
 Buddhists – isolated monasteries for prayer & contemplation.
 Others: Rizalistas of Mt. Banahaw; Essenes (U.S. “uh·seenz”) during the Roman-
controlled Judea (Israel); for some time, the Mormons of Utah.
 Communities justify their rebellion on religious grounds. The first revolt against
colonialism in Asia & Africa were led by priestesses & monks.

Realities
 Peter Burger – far from being secularized, the “contemporary world is … furiously
religious. In most of the world, there are veritable explosions of religious fervor,
occurring in one form or another in all the major religious traditions …”
 Religions are the foundations of modern republics. Malaysia – places religion at the
center of its political systems. It constitution states, “Islam is the religion of the
Federation,” & the rulers as the “Head of the religion of Islam.”
 Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini – Iranian religious leader; superiority of Islamic rule
over its secular counterparts. “There is no fundamental distinction among
constitutional, despotic, dictatorial, democratic & communistic regimes.” Led the
Iranian revolution turning Iran into a theocracy (but calls itself a republic = secular)
  Islamic schools (pesantren) in Indonesia run by the moderate Muslim organization
Nahdlatul Ulama are also educated about modern science, social sciences, modern
banking, civic education, women’s rights, pluralism & democracy.
 Religion can emerge as a result of change in government policy. Church of England
– King Henry VIII broke away from Roman Catholicism & established his own church
to bolster his power.
 In the U.S., religion & law were fused together to help build this “modern secular
society.” 1800s, Alexis de Tocqueville stated, “Not only do the Americans practice
their religion out of self-interest but they often even place in this world the interest
which they have in practicing it.”
 Jose Casanova – “historically, religion has always been at the very center of all great
political conflicts and movements of social reform." From Independence to
Abolition, from nativism to women's suffrage, from Prohibition to the Civil Rights
Movement, religion had always been at the center of these conflicts but also on
both sides of the political barricades." Christian Rights = Republican Party.

Religion for and Against Globalization

 Of the “old world faiths,” Christianity & Islam regard globalization as an opportunity
to expand their presence than as a threat. Religion can give groups “moral
standards” that address issues such as people’s health, social conflict & even
“personal happiness.”
 Religion is thus a “pro-active force” that provides communities with a fresh &
robust basis of identity, rather than a “regressive tool” that halts or slows down
globalization. It is a tool that religious people can use to contribute to the molding
of this globalizing world, albeit on their own terms.
 Used “fast long-distance transport and communications, the availability of English
as a global vernacular of unparalleled power, the know-how of modern
management and marketing” to spread religion.
 The proliferation of “Born-Again” groups, or in Islam, the rise of movements like
the Daesh (Islamic State in Iraq & Syria aka ISIS) are the product of globalization’s
development.
 Some Muslims see “globalization” as a Trojan horse that hides western principles
like secularism, liberalism & even communism.
 The World Council of Churches (Protestant) has decried the detrimental impacts of
economic globalization, “we as churches make ourselves accountable to the victims
of the project of economic globalization.”
 The Catholic Church through Pope Francis likewise condemned globalization’s
“throw-away culture” that is “fatally destined to suffocate hope and increase risks
and threats.”
 In 1998, the World Bank brought in religious leaders in its discussions about global
poverty & agreed to support faith-based, anti-poverty projects in Kenya & Ethiopia.

Conclusion
 It is odd that globalization is seen to have very little to do with religion.
 Peter Bayer & Lori Beaman observed, “religion, it seems, is somehow ‘outside’
looking at globalization as a problem or potential.”
 It is argued that religion, being a belief system that cannot be proven empirically, is
anathema to modernization. The thesis that modernization will erode religious
practice is often called secularization theory.
 Historians, political scientist, & philosophers have now debunked much of the
secularization theory.
 Samuel Huntington, on the strongest defenders of globalization admits in his book,
The Clash of Civilizations, that civilizations can be held together by religious
worldviews. 15th century Jesuits & Dominicans used religion as an “ideological
armature” to legitimize the Spanish empire.
 Max Weber, one the greatest sociologists, observed the correlation between
religion & capitalism as an economic system.
 Religious persons were able to defend their political participation using “moral”
considerations.
 Ex. Spaniards occupied the Americas & the Philippines in the name of the King &
God. More than 300 yrs later, US President William McKinley stated, “that after a
night of prayer and soul-searching, he had concluded that it was the duty of the
United States ‘to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them,
and by God’s grace do the very best we could by them.”
 Religions are relatively changeable despite their unchanging features – Hell,
Heaven, pilgrimages (Bethlehem or Mecca).
 They have shown to be extremely resilient & outlasted secular ideologies
(communism); globalists have to acknowledge that religion is here to stay.