DAPNIE MARIE REPUELA BSBA HRM 1-1

Activity 2 CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Write a REACTION PAPER on the viewed documentary entitled: “The Rise of ISIS”. Explain how
globalization affects religious practices and beliefs.

Religion and globalization have always shared a relation of struggle and conflict. Globalization has
generally been linked with economic and political interdependence which ultimately has brought people
closer and effect of no event is isolated but is felt in far-off places too. It has shifted the cultural build up of
the world and led to formation of a ‘global culture’- a common minimum which is accepted by all.
Globalization stands for increased and daily contact while religions are becoming more self-conscious for
themselves as being the world religions. The basic tenets of globalization stand against religious
parochialism. By diminishing the barriers between different cultures, globalization lands religion in a
quagmire of conflicts which reinforce social identities as some do not accept the new realities and turn to
religion to rediscover their own identity. Religion provides a sense of belongingness to a group in the world.
Religion has stood the complexities and onslaught of the modern world and is seen to be further intensified
under the conditions of contemporary development. Although some groups have made religion as a
weapon to both integrate and terrorist masses, generally people have become more tolerant of other
religious beliefs and practices and have come to associate all acts of terror as anti-religious.

In third world nations, where the vulnerable sections find themselves more marginalized by the forces of
globalization, religion takes a prime welfare role and acts as a cultural protector for these sections. Religion
thus plays a social role by helping in social causes and successfully gets greater recognition. Here it
presents a direct challenge to globalization.
India is home to a massive rural population to whom the benefits of globalization will take time to reach. In
this fast pace life, religion acts as ‘home’ for personal peace and gives a message of peace in times of
crisis. Urbanization has attracted many rural youth and continues to bring them to cities for better life.
Religion can use the new possibilities presented by the global forces to reach to more people and also
rediscover the essence of other religions. All religions have fixed texts but none has fixed beliefs. Religions
can come together and stand for increased peace in the world with mutual tolerance and respect.