GLOBALIZATION

OF RELIGION
 At the end of this lesson:
1. Explain how globalization affects religious
practices and beliefs;
2. Analyze the relationship between religion
and global conflict, and conversely,
global peace.
3. Revisit concept of religion
 GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGION
The process of increased
interconnectedness and interdependence
among nation and culture, has had profound
impact various aspect of human society
including religion.
Definition of Terms:
• Religion – a unified system of beliefs and
practice related to faith, the sacred,
higher moral values.
• Secularization – diminishing role of
religion
• Glocalization of religion – intermingling of
universal and local religious beliefs
Globalization - refer to the worldwide
interconnectedness of all areas of contemporary social
life.

Religion – plays a vital role in the

lives of Filipinos for their values
are anchored on it. It has affected
their attitudes, characters and
perspectives in life.
 WHAT is Religion?
The English word Religion is from the Latin
verb, RELIGARE, which means "to tie" or "to
bind fast“ - a system of beliefs, rituals and
practices, usually institutionalized in one
manner or another, which connects this world
with the beyond.
Globalization affects religion in many
ways:
1.The rise of religious nationalism
2.The return of religion into the public life
3.The proliferation of international terrorism
4.The increasing personalized individual religiosity
Globalization affects religion in …
1.The rise of religious nationalism - Nationalism was
closely associated with a particular religious belief.
Ex. Some of the basis of passing laws in
the Philippines are based on
Christianity. 
Ban on Divorce
 Total Ban on Abortion
 No Same-Sex Marriage
Globalization affects religion in …
2.The return of religion into the public life -
 Religion goes beyond administration of sacraments
among Catholics.
Ex. Catholic Liberation Theology
 Religion becomes the sole basis of the believers’ life.
Ex. Islam Fundamentalism
Globalization affects religion in …
3. The proliferation of international terrorism.
Extremists believe that to fulfil God’s will it is
their duty to achieve this through violence.
Ex. In 2017, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a known
extremist group, triggered the locals of Mindanao to launch
the Marawi Siege for five months.
Globalization affects religion in …
4. The increasing personalized individual religiosity
Individual need to rely on his or her beliefs
and relationship with the supreme being.
Global migration also influences:
1. Deterritorialization of Religion
2. Easternization of the West
3. Global Trends
 Global migration also influences:
1. Deterritorialization of Religion
 Religious traditions in places where these previously
had been largely unknown or considered a minority
(Roudometof, 2014)
 A cultural feature that blurs the lines between culture
and place and thus transcends territorial boundaries.
 Global migration also influences:
2. Easternization of the West
 The West, which is the starting point for the spread of world
religious, is now the recipient of a new system of beliefs
from the East.
 There is also a rise in the number of believers of Asian,
religions like Zoroastrianism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and
Taoism.
 Global migration also influences:
3. Global Trends
• Respond to newfound situations.
• The use of social media as a tool for
evangelization.
 (4) CLASSIFICATION OF GLOCALIZATION
Roudometof (2014)
1. Vernacularization – refers to the blending of universal religions
with local languages.
2. Indigenization - transforms a universal religion to suit the
specifics of a particular ethnic group
3. Nationalization - constructs a link between the nation and
church.
4. Transnationalization - focusing groups on identifying specific
religious traditions of real or imagined national homelands.
 Religion:

PEACE & CONFLICTS

Globalization of Religion:

CONFLICTS
CONFLICTS
refer to disagreements,
tensions, or violence
that arise due to
differences in religious
beliefs, practices, or
values.
 ROOT CAUSES OF CONFLICTS
Humanitarian Assistance : to help achieve peace by
advancing poverty reduction and putting attention
to economic equality
Faith-centered Interventions: the efforts of religious
organization to mediate understanding and peace
Mark Juergensmeyer (2014)
Conflicts are about:
 identity and
economics
privilege and power
 Ideological Categories

Extremists – radical measures are necessary

in achieving the will of God.
Fundamentalists – men ought to return to very
passages of its sacred books
Nationalists - tie their traditions with their
nation or homeland.
Globalization of Religion:

PEACE
teachings of great religions on moral
principles and values:
Doing away with greed
Hatred
Misconceptions
Thank you for
listening!!!
 Monotheistic Religions
(Belief in One God)
Christianity - believes in Jesus Christ as the
Son of God.
Islam (Allah) and follows the teachings of
Prophet Muhammad.
Judaism (Yahweh) and follows the Torah.
Sikhism - follows the teachings of Guru Nanak
and other Sikh Gurus.
 Polytheistic Religions
(Belief in Many Gods)
Hinduism - gods and goddesses, such as
Vishnu, Shiva, and Lakshmi.
Ancient Greek and Roman Religions - gods
like Zeus, Athena, Jupiter, and Mars.
Shinto - traditional religion of Japan, which
believes in many spirits (kami).
 Animistic & Indigenous
Religions
(spirits
 in nature
Shamanism - and ancestralcultures
indigenous worship worldwide,
as central)
often involving communication with spirits.
African Traditional Religions - beliefs in
ancestral spirits and nature gods.
Native American Spirituality - Focuses on the
connection between humans, nature, and
spirits.
 Atheistic & Philosophical
Religions
Buddhism - follows the teachings of the
Buddha.
Jainism - Believes in karma, reincarnation,
and non-violence, but not in a personal god.
Confucianism - More of a moral and
philosophical system.
RELIGION ORGANIZATION

1. Ecclesia
2. Church
3. Denomination
4. Sect
5. Cult
TYPES OF RELIGION ORGANIZATION

1. Ecclesia (State Religion)

A religion that is officially recognized and integrated with the
government.
Membership is automatic, often through birth.

Example:
The Church of England (Anglicanism in the UK), Islam in Saudi
Arabia.
2. Church (Large, Formal Religious Organization)
A well-established, hierarchical institution with structured leadership.
Has formal doctrines, rituals, and a large number of followers.

Example: The Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church.

3. Denomination (Subgroup Within a Religion)

A branch of a major religion with slight differences in beliefs and practices.
It is not tied to the state and coexists with other religious groups.

Example: Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans (Christianity); Sunni and Shia (Islam).

4. Sect (Smaller, Sometimes Dissenting Group)
A religious group that has broken away from a larger religious tradition.
Usually has stricter rules and is less formal than a church.

Example: Jehovah's Witnesses, Amish, Seventh-day Adventists.

5. Cult (New Religious Movement)

A small, often new religious group with unique or radical beliefs.
Can be centered around a charismatic leader. Some cults grow into established religions over time.

Example: Scientology, Heaven's Gate (historically), Raelian Movement.

These types of religious organizations differ in size, influence, and structure but all play a role
in shaping religious beliefs and practices within societies.
MAJOR Religious OF THE WORLD
1. Christianity (~2.4 billion followers)
Belief: Monotheistic (One God), Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior.
Holy Book: Bible (Old and New Testaments).
Major Branches: Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy.
Main Regions: Americas, Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia.

2. Islam (~1.9 billion followers)

Belief: Monotheistic (Allah), Prophet Muhammad as the last messenger.
Holy Book: Qur'an.
Major Branches: Sunni (majority), Shia.
Main Regions: Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia.
3. Hinduism (~1.2 billion followers)
Belief: Polytheistic (many gods, including Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi) or
monotheistic depending on interpretation.
Holy Texts: Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita.
Main Regions: India, Nepal, Bali (Indonesia).

4. Buddhism (~500 million followers)

Belief: Non-theistic; follows the teachings of Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) about
enlightenment and the end of suffering.
Holy Texts: Tripitaka, Mahayana Sutras, Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Major Branches: Theravāda, Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna.
Main Regions: East Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet.
5. Judaism (~15 million followers)
Belief: Monotheistic (Yahweh), follows the teachings of Abraham and Moses.
Holy Book: Torah (part of the Hebrew Bible).
Major Branches: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform Judaism.
Main Regions: Israel, USA, Europe.

Analyzing factors influencing the growth of religion

Birth Rate
Conversion rate
Cultural preservation
Political stability
Economic factors
 Impact of Globalization on Religion
Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages

1. Spread of Religious Beliefs

Globalization has allowed religions to reach new regions through migration, media, and missionary
work

Example: Christianity and Islam have expanded into Africa and Asia.

2. Interfaith Dialogue & Religious Tolerance

Increased cultural exchange promotes understanding and peaceful coexistence among different
religions.

Example: Global interfaith organizations encourage discussions to reduce religious conflicts.

3. Access to Religious Knowledge & Technology
The internet and social media make religious texts, teachings, and services easily accessible.

Example: Online sermons, religious apps, and virtual religious communities. Religious Diversity & Cultural
Exchange

4. Religious diversity and culture exchange

Migration has introduced different faiths to new societies, enriching cultural traditions.

Example: Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism have grown in Western countries. Humanitarian Efforts & Global
Unity

5. Humanitarian efforts and global unity

Religious groups collaborate on global issues like poverty, disaster relief, and human rights.

Example: Faith-based organizations providing aid during humanitarian crises.

 Disadvantages:
1. Commercialization of Religion
Religious festivals and symbols are often used for profit, reducing their
spiritual significance.

Example: Christmas and Diwali have become highly commercialized in many

countries. Religious Conflicts & Extremism

2. Religious conflict and extremism

Differences in beliefs can lead to tensions, discrimination, and even violence.

Example: Religious extremism and fundamentalist movements fueled by global

interactions.
3. Secularization & Decline in Religious Practices
Exposure to modern ideas and science has led to declining religious
participation in some societies.

Example: Many Western countries have seen lower church attendance and religious
affiliation. Westernization & Loss of Traditional Practices

4. Westernization and loss of traditional practices

Some indigenous and traditional religious practices are being overshadowed
by dominant global religions.

Example: Native spiritual beliefs in Africa and Latin America declining due to
Christian and Islamic influence.
5. Misinterpretation & Spread of Misinformation
The internet can lead to the spread of misleading religious teachings or
extremist ideologies.

Example: Radical groups using social media to spread extremist interpretations of

religion.

Conclusion:

Globalization has helped religion spread and evolve but also presents
challenges such as commercialization, conflict, and secularization. The overall impact
depends on how societies balance religious traditions with modern global influences.
THANK YOU!
QUIZ
I. MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A religion that is officially recognized and
integrated with the government. Membership is
automatic, often through birth.
a. Church c. Sect
b. Ecclesia d. Cult
2. A branch of a major religion with slight differences
in beliefs and practices. It is not tied to the state
and coexists with other religious groups.
a. Cult c.
Denomination
b. Sect d. all of the
3. A religion that does not worship a 5. A religion that believes in
creator god but follows the karma, reincarnation, and non-
teachings of the Buddha. violence, but not in a personal
a. Hinduism god.
b. Christianity a. Sikhism
c. Buddhism b. Jainism
d. Islam
c. Judaism
d. Hinduism
4. A Monotheistic religion, and
believes in Prophet Muhammad as
the last messenger.
6- 10. Give the five major
a. Islam religious of the world.
b. Christianity
c. Judaism
d. Buddhism
II. Enumeration.
_______ 11. A type of religion found in indigenous cultures worldwide, often
involving communication with spirits.
_______12. It is from the Latin verb, RELIGARE, which means "to tie" or "to
bind fast“ -a system of beliefs, rituals and practices, usually institutionalized in one
manner or another, which connects this world with the beyond.
_______13. A religion that worships one God, believes in Jesus Christ as the Son
of God.
_______14. A traditional religion of Japan, which believes in many spirits (kami).
_______ 15. A well-established, hierarchical institution with structured leadership.
Has formal doctrines, rituals, and a large number of followers.