The Globalization of Religion
Religion (The Basics)
Religion is a belief in a supernatural power or
powers that are regarded as the creators and
maintainers of the universe.
Types of Religions
Monotheistic religions believe in one god.
Polytheistic religions believe in many gods.
Animistic or traditional religions often believe that
different aspects of nature have divine powers.
Religions of the World
Religions of the World
Religions of the World
Red = Christianity, Green = Islam
Religions of the World
Religion Followers
Christianity 1.9 billion
Islam 1.1 billion
Hinduism 781 million
Buddhism 324 million
Sikhism 19 million
Judaism 14 million
Southwest Asia
The three religions that began in
Southwest Asia are:
A. Judaism
B. Christianity
C. Islam
Judaism
Some of the major beliefs of Judaism are:
A. Monotheism - There is one god who is all
powerful and all knowing.
B. This god made a special covenant or
agreement with Abraham, who is the ‘father’
of the Jewish people.
C. God revealed his laws to his people through
Moses and the ten commandments.
Western Wall
Star of David
Christianity
Christianity was heavily influenced by
Judaism. Some of the major beliefs of
Christianity are:
A. Monotheism - There is one god who is
all powerful and all knowing.
B. Jesus Christ died for the sins of
humankind.
C. Salvation comes from faith in God.
Christianity
➢ Christians believe the Old and New
Testaments of the Bible are holy books.
➢ The first four books of the New
Testament were written by followers of
Jesus.
Christianity
Some branches of Christianity are:
Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and
Eastern Orthodox.
Orthodox Christianity
Saint Basil’s
Icons
Islam
Islam is a monotheistic religion that
developed in Saudi Arabia in the early
600s. Islam is directly related to
Judaism and Christianity.
Islam was founded by the Prophet
Muhammed who lived from 570 to 632
in Saudi Arabia.
Islam
Islam
The five pillars or central teachings of Islam are:
A. A statement of faith
B. Prayer (five times a day in the direction of
Mecca)
C. Charity
D. Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your
lifetime (called the Hajj)
E. Fasting (during the month of Ramadan)
Islam
The teachings of Muhammed were collected into a
book called the Koran.
Muslims worship in buildings called mosques.
Dome of the Rock
Mecca
Crescent and Star
Hinduism
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions
in the world. It is a polytheistic religion
that originated in South Asia, present
day India.
Hinduism
➢ Atman is the spirit or soul of a person, which most
Hindus believe, is eternal.
➢ Brahman refers to a supreme spirit but it can also mean
an infinite and unchanging reality.
➢ Hindus believe that the goal of life is to realize that
your atman is the same as Brahman and thereby
reach moksha, or liberation.
Hinduism
Hindus believe in reincarnation and
karma. A person dies, then lives again,
until they finally reach moksha.
Hindus have several holy books called
Vedas, Upanishads, and the epics the
Mahabharata and Ramayana.
THE INFLUENCE OF GLOBALISATION
ON RELIGIOUS ISSUES
WHEN DID GLOBALISATION START TO
INFLUENCE RELIGION?
• Evolving trade routes led tothe colonization of
the Asia, Africa, Central and SouthAmerica.
• Religion became an integral part of colonization
and later on globalization.
• Religion has been a major feature in some
historical conflicts and the most recent waveof
modern terrorism.
THE IMPACT OF GLOBALISATION
● flattens cultural differences
● erodes local customs and beliefs
● spreads secular, capitalist way of life
WHAT IS RELIGION NOWADAYS?
● it’s no longer a set of beliefs that
people arrive by reflection
● it’s a symbolic system which carries
our identity and marks out social/
ethic and other boundaries
Religion is one of the ways of self-identification,
which are called in general “identity-signifiers”
Therefore, religion issues should not be studied separately
from globalization
THE RESULTS OF GLOBALISATION
SECULARIZATION RELIGIOUS
CONSERVATISM
SECULARIZATION
•Society becomes increasingly modern, religion becomes less
and less important.
•A decline in religious practices within modern societies.
•Religious institutions become separated from secular
institutions and spheres of influence.
• Religion has retreated into the privatesphere.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?
IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION
IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
• 75% of those asked
by the Eurobarometer
2010 poll expressed
positive "belief in God"in
Malta, Turkey, Cyprus,
Romania, Greece, and
Poland.
•More than 25%
expressed positive Atheism
in France, the Czech
Republic, the Netherlands,
Belgium, Estonia,
Slovenia, Sweden, United Eurobarometer 2005 poll.
RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS
• Only in the period 1980-1995 in the world there were 72
civil wars (ethnic, national, religious and racial grounds),as
well as another type of war (state againststate).
• This continued after the 1995 (aggression in Yugoslavia in
1999, civil war in Angola, Liberia, Sudan and bloody ethnic
conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and military
intervention in Afghanistan).
CONFLICTS INVOLVING DIFFERENT RELIGIONS
AND RELIGION-LINKED TERRORIST ATTACKS
REASONS OF SYRIAN WAR
• Syrian geopolitical Importance
• The Main Players in the Conflict(Bashar al-
Assad and other islamic groups)
• Syria’s Religious Conflict
• The Role of Foreign Powers
REFUGEE PROBLEM
CONCLUSIONS
● Religion is definitely the integral part of globalization,thus
they should not be studiedseparately
● the situation of religion in the world of today is twofold
(TWO TRENDS: secularization and conservativeoffense)
● The globalization is a reason to integrate the societyaround
the world including the religionissue
● Multiculturalism, immigration
● An increased understanding and respect for other cultures
● However, religion-based conflicts are on the rise
