Globalisation- The Spread Of Religious Beliefs Flashcards
religiosity in the uk and globally
The UK is one of the least religious countries in the world. In a global ranking of 65 countries in 2015, the UK came six places from the bottom, with only 30% of the population saying they were religious. This compares with 94% in Thailand and 93% in Armenia, Bangladesh, Georgia and Morocco who said they were religious. At the bottom of the list were China (6%), Japan (13%) and Sweden (19%).
how has globalisation affected relogous participation and belief
migration
A key feature of globalisation is the increase in migration of both economic migrants and refugees. Increased migration leads to uncertainty and instability for both migrants and host countries.
Brierley found that black people in London are twice as likely to attend Church than whites. Muslims, Hindus and black Christians are also considerably more likely to see their religion as important and to attend a place of worship every week. Although, Modood found that second generation migrants are less religious than their parents. This supports the view that religion might be used as cultural defence and to ease cultural transition for migrants, but that their children who may feel more integrated into their host society might be less likely to need religion for these reasons.
how has globalisation affected religous participation and beliefs
economic factors
Additionally, Davie argues globalisation involves the growth of a global economy which shapes the lives of individuals but over which they have little control. Religious resurgence may be a response to this situation, particularly among the poor and oppressed as global inequality widens the gap between the rich and the poor.
In terms of numbers, Pentecostalism is the fastest growing Christian religion. For example, in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil between 1990 and 1992 a new Pentecostal church was registered every single weekday. Within the churches the Pentecostals are told that they can escape poverty with the help of God and by their own efforts, their mission: ‘Our greatest dream is that they all become entrepreneurs.’
Berger argues that Pentecostalism in Latin America acts as a ‘functional equivalent’ to Weber’s Protestant ethic, it encourages the development of capitalism today as Calvinism did in the 16th century. Latin American Pentecostalists embrace a work ethic and lifestyle similar to that of the Calvinists. It encourages it members to prosper and become upwardly mobile. The churches offer business classes and teach congregations how to save. People are encouraged to better themselves, start their own businesses and pull themselves out of poverty – a ‘theodicy of uplift’.
how has globalisation affected relogous participation and belief
westernisation and modernisation
Attempts at modernisation in developing countries have been based on Western models and globalisation has been largely controlled by Western corporations. People in developing countries tend to feel marginalised as second-class citizens in an increasingly global society and feel that Western culture is further marginalising their culture and traditions. Globalisation undermines people’s traditional sense of self, religion helps to build ‘resistance identities’, based in part on traditional doctrines (Castells).
For example, the resurgence of Islam can provide a positive, non-Western identity which draws on traditional culture. It can create an Islamic identity which crosses national boundaries and can mobilise Muslims to take political action in a global context (An-Na’im).
In Iran in 1979 a revolution occurred when the religious leaders saw a return to traditional Islam as a cure for the ‘disease’ of ‘westoxification’. Islamic fundamentalism is an important and growing force in the Muslim countries of the world, and among some members of Muslim minority ethnic groups in Western societies. Bruce suggests Islamic fundamentalism may be seen as a rational means of defending traditional Islamic beliefs and values threatened with elimination by the combined global influences of Western cultural imperialism, the Americanization of the world’s culture and the dominance of Western corporations in the world economy. These bring with them Western values and culture, and Islamic fundamentalism emerges as a means of self-defence against this cultural imperialism.
multicultralism and national identity
Globalisation and migration lead to greater multiculturalism within individual societies. This may therefore mean that national identity could be undermined due to an increase in diversity of different cultures and identities within one nation. For some, religion can offer a source of national identity and a sense of belonging to their home country. Religion often involves traditional practices and rituals which reinforce a sense of national identity.
Example: Hinduism in India
Nanda examines the role of Hinduism in legitimating Indian nationalism. She argues that their success in the global market is increasingly linked to the superiority of the ‘Hindu values’ which are promoted by the media, along with the idea that Hinduism is the essence of Indian culture and identity.
In this Hindu ultra-nationalism, the worship of Hindu gods has become the same as worshipping the nation of India, and an element of civil religion. Hinduism has also penetrated public life and therefore the supposedly secular state is being influenced by religion. For example, ‘Hindu sciences’ such as astrology being taught at universities all around the world.
spread of liberal values, christian fundamentalism
In many places, globalisation and Westernisation has included the spread of liberal values. Religion is sometimes used as a means of returning to traditional values by challenging liberal values.
Christian fundamentalism, especially in the USA is politically active in the New Christian Right and often holds substantial political influence. It has been key in getting the teaching of the theory of evolution banned in some schools and actively campaigns against abortion, sex before and outside of marriage and homosexuality.
religous puralism
Globalisation has led to greater availability of different religious beliefs to follow and different organisations of which to belong. The demand for religion increases when there are different sorts to choose from, because consumers can find one that meets their needs. By contrast, where there is a religious monopoly – one church with no competition – it leads to decline. This is because without competition, a church has no incentive to provide people with what they want.
Example: US vs Europe
Stark and Bainbridge believe that religion thrives in the US because there has never been a religious monopoly there. In the US there has always been a great variety of denominations to choose from which has encouraged the growth of a healthy religious market where religions grow or decline according to consumer demand.
The situation in Europe is entirely different. Most European countries have been dominated by an official state church which had a religious monopoly, such as the Church of England in the UK. This means that religion is therefore less attractive as there are less options available. This suggests that globalisation has not had led to a religious resurgence everywhere.
causing conflict
In recent years, religion has been at the centre of a number of global conflicts such as the 9/11 attacks. Huntington argues that these conflicts have intensified since the collapse of communism in 1989 and are symptoms of a ‘clash of civilisations’ – Western, Islamic, Latin American, Confucian (China), Japanese, Hindu and Slavic Orthodox. Each of these groups have a similar background and history and are closely linked with one of the world’s great religions.
Conflict between these civilisations are, in Huntington’s view, caused by Islam itself. He argues that the West is under threat and needs to re-assert it’s position as a liberal-democratic Christian civilisation. Also in a globalised world national identity is much less significant due to increased migration and multiculturalism, therefore religion is more important and more likely to be a source of conflict. Globalisation also increases the contact between civilisations which increases the likelihood of conflict.
