Reflection Paper

Religion is a topic that has played a crucial influence in shaping the world. It
improves health, learning, economic well-being, self-control, self-esteem, and empathy.
Some of the religious practices include rituals, sermons, commemoration, festivals,
matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, and public service. Globalization of
religion by Victor Roudometof addresses two new frontiers of social research on the
relationship between religion and globalization wherein religious transnationalism is often
depicted as a religion ‘going global’. Religion in Global Conflict by Mark Juergensmeyer
argues that the contemporary conflicts with which religion has been associated are not
solely about religion, but it is about identity, accountability, and security. And the rise of
the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria also known as (ISIS) aims to create an Islamic state
called a caliphate across Iraq and Syria.
So how does globalization affect religious practices between different organized
religions? Upon reading and watching, we noticed that globalization brought positive and
negative effects to religion. It affects religious practices because globalization has
influenced the community to change their beliefs. It encourages understanding and
mutual respect. It also allowed people to make their own choices on their beliefs and
practice religious pluralism. However, it can also bring discouragement of membership to
religious institutions, and the spread of violence and terrorism due to the advancements
of technologies and corrupt government. In addition, media, and technology play an
important role to spread the ideas of every religion so that people can know about every
religion and can choose their own. There are arguments that religion and globalization
have been subject to two different lines of interpretation: globalization of religion versus
globalization and religion. It concerns the development of religions and certain genres,
styles, or patterns of religious expression across the world. The second concerns the
status and place of religion in the context of globalization. Within the environment of
globalization, problems have arisen. So, globalization really gives problems and
challenges, such as environmental catastrophe and secular society. Although it can bring
challenges, it can also promote unity wherein religion creates a feeling of group
belonging. They unite to promote global peace via mutual respect and understanding.

To sum it up, globalization really gives problems and challenges not just to media
and culture but also to religion. Globalization may affect religious practices across
organized faiths due to the spread of cultures, ideas, and religions throughout centuries.
It has influenced and changed the community on how they respond to their religion and
beliefs. Despite these problems and challenges, globalization of religion becomes a
culture of pluralism that teaches us to respect other religions and aid social issues. We
should unite and practice non-violence, no discrimination against each other, and bring
unity, justice, equality, and human dignity that will result in harmony, and peace among
every people, culture, and society.