Globalization of Religion

Globalization and Religion

Glenn G. Pajares
glennpajares@usjr.edu.ph
 Globalization of Religion

Religion has always been global, in that religious communities and traditions
have constantly shifted and interacted over and beyond Political
and cultural boundaries (Juergensmeyer 2012).

There exists religious pluralism in a particular geographic location, territory or border like India-Hindus,
Muslims, and Buddhists. Israel- Jews, Muslims and Christians. China- Islam, Christians,
Buddhist, Confucians, Taoists among others. Egypt- Muslims and Coptic Christians. Indonesia- Muslims
Christians, and Hindus (2012).

Missionary Work as agent of the globalization of religion . Hardwired in human nature to move.
( the Apostle Paul, Buddhist monks, Christian Missionaries from Europe to Asia , to south America,
and to Africa.

Migration as agent of the globalization of religion Religion- as people migrate they bring with them
there religion (Juergensmeyer 2012)examples: Exodus from Egypt- Jews, Babylonian Exile-Jews,
the Jewish Diaspora, the British Rule of India sent Sikh soldiers to Singapore and Canada.
Many of them went to California as farmers.
 As religion is spread beyond political and territorial
Boundaries, it assimilates different cultures (Juergensmeyer 2012). E.g. Christianity has Jewish, Greek and Zoroastrian
influence. Buddhism, Chan Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism. Sto Niño and child worship in Cebu and the Visayas.

Trade as agent of the Globalization religion. As people traded, along with them is their religion. E.g.
Silk Road

Politics, Conquest, and War as agents of the globalization of religion. E.g. Constantine I and Edict of milan,
Christianity in the Holy Roman empire, Asoka and the Spread of Buddhism, the Caliphates and Islam,
The Age of Exploration, the Rise of Isis.

The advancement of technology and communication as agent of the globalization of religion. Technology has accelerated the
spread of religion and religious awareness through the internet,
Blogs, podcasts, social media (Cyber religion). Through technology people became aware of religious
Pluralism, resulting to religious dialogues and collaboration of religions (Gina Messina –Dysert, 2012).
E.g. John Paul II and Pope Francis and ecumenical movements.
The globalization of religion through technology has also resulted to the creation of metaphorical
Religious market place where in people have the option to choose their religious orientation
like shopping for a religion that best fits their needs and beliefs. There is more freedom of choice(Gina Messina –Dysert,
2012).E.g. religious TV programs. This also led to ecumenism and interreligious dialogues.

On the contrary it resulted to competition and religious conservatism. Debates on religion continues.
Countries like Saudi Arabia remains to regulate other religions.
 Religion and Globalization: How they influence each other?

Globalization, Secularization and religion. Will religions erode and disappear? Will they be irrelevant in the Age of
globalization?
The increase of atheists,
Agnostics, deists, no religion.

E.g. empty churches and cathedrals

In the west. Lack of vocations in
The west.

Enlightenment and modernism, -

Separation of faith and reason
Separation of church and state
How does the state and church influence
each other. E.g. EDSA
 Through economic liberalization The world has become more mundane, materialistic, consumerist, pragmatic, and
utilitarian. These are contrary to the teachings and values of global religions which emphasize on spirituality and
divinity. Globalization has posed a great threat to religion. Many people are becoming less religious and more
worldly. E.g. abortion, contraception, divorce,

Technology also has spread secularism. E.g. Pornography, dating sites, gambling, cybercrime, hate blogs, False
truths, fake news etc. Crisis of values, requires religion all the more. So religion is here to stay.
The Internationalization and Globalization of Religion : The Case of
Christianity
From Jerusalem to Antioch
From Antioch to Rome
Christianity and the Fall of the Roman Empire
Christianity and Religious tolerance in the Roman Empire
The crusades and the Age of exploration
The Protestant Reformation
Counter Reformation
Ecumenical movements: the Case of the1910 World Missionary Conference,
or the Edinburgh Missionary Conference also known as Protestant Christian Ecumenical
movement
 Ecumenical Movement : The World Conference of Life and Work

Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop of Uppsala, the head of the Lutheran church in Sweden, is known as the
architect of the ecumenical movement of the twentieth century. During the First World War, he called on all
Christian leaders to work for peace and justice. His leadership of the Christian "Life and Work" movement in
the 1920s has led him to be recognized as one of the principal founders of the ecumenical movement. His was
instrumental in chairing the World Conference of Life and Work in Stockholm, Sweden in 1925.
At the Stockholm Conference in 1925, the culminating event in Söderblom's ecumenical work, the Anglican,
Protestant, and Orthodox Christians were all present and participating, with the exception of the Catholic
Church, much regretted absence. He was a close friend of the English ecumenist George Bell. In 1930 was one
of the recipients of the Nobel Prize, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, for the: Cooperation between Christian Church
Communities Brings Peace and the first clergyman to receive this prize.
 Ecumenical Movement : World Council of Churches

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a worldwide inter-church organization founded

in 1948. Its members today include the Anglican Communion, the Assyrian Church of the
East, most jurisdictions of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches,
most mainline Protestant churches (such as the Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist,
Moravian and Reformed) and some evangelical Protestant churches (such as the Baptist
and Pentecostal).Notably, the Roman Catholic Church is not a member, although it sends
accredited observers to meetings.
 Ecumenical Movement: The World Evangelical Alliance

The World Evangelical Alliance was formed in London, England with 10 countries in 1846. Their
shared vision was "a new thing in church history, a definite organization for the expression of unity
amongst Christian individuals belonging to different churches." In 1951, 21 countries, under the
leadership of American theologians Harold Ockenga and J. Elwin Wright, participated in the rebirth
of the WEA, which became the World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF).

In 2001, after the General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, WEF became the World Evangelical
Alliance. As of 2005, the WEA is experiencing a collegiate management under the leadership of its
Canadian leader, Geoff Tunnicliffe. Offices were opened in Vancouver, Canada (Leadership), San
Francisco (Information Technology), Washington (Publications), and Geneva (International
Relations). As of 2010, the central office is in New York, United States
The Second Vatican Council
Liberal/progressive and conservative theologies within the Catholic Church

Liberation theology
Fides et ratio-

Laudato Si