WHAT ARE THE CONFLICTING IDEAS BETWEEN RELIGIOUS THOUGHT AND THE IDEOLOGY

OF GLOBALISM?

I. OPENING STATEMENT

As religions become more intertwined, conflicting concepts emerge, creating the potential for religious
conflict as well as religious diversity and evolution. As a result of the diversity in change, there may be
conflict in terms of different ideologies, and when certain regions transition into one society, there will
definitely be some sort of conflict. There may also be a movement within some groups in terms of
how important religion is to them. Globalization also has an impact on cultural and social
developments, which may jeopardize key beliefs and traditions. Some religious beliefs inspire people
to engage in novel ways that aid economic development in developing countries. In this paper, the
author will be highlighting the benefits and conflicts between religion and globalism.

II.a. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

According to Azzouzi, (2013), religion and globalization have a symbiotic relationship in which the
former relies on the latter to thrive and prosper while also questioning its (globalization's) hybridizing
effects. Globalization has led to the deterritorialization and blurring of geographical locations and
boundaries, thanks to advancements in communication and transportation technologies, as well as
the media's involvement. As a result, the world appears to have been transformed into a little town
where people, cultures, and identities interact on a regular basis.
Religion, without a question, is not immune to these changes and their growing repercussions
brought on by globalization. Religions, on the other hand, continue to have homes in distinct territorial
regions where they first appeared and where their respective shrines are located.
Religions' intrinsic character and desire to be embraced and practiced by people all over the world
causes them to spread throughout all of the world's geographical locations. As a result, religions
make extensive use of globalization technology in order to emerge and expand. Religions find it
easier to spread and reach every area of the world since geographical barriers and frontiers have
been blurred and dissolved.

II.b. ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION

Many scholars believe that because globalization aims to hybridize other cultures around the pattern
of Western culture, and because it entails liberal principles and norms, religion (especially Islam)
poses a threat to it. This is due to the fact that Islam's norms and ideals are incompatible with
globalization's liberal values. Globalization has played a significant part in establishing the context for
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religion's current significant revival and resurrection. Most religions are no longer restricted to the few
countries where they originated. Religions have spread and dispersed all across the world. Religions
have found a ripe environment to spread and thrive thanks to globalization.
Religionists consider information technologies, transportation, and the media to be vital ways of
disseminating their religious ideals. For example, there are a plethora of websites dedicated to
religious topics. This puts bits of knowledge and explanations about many religions at the fingertips of
anyone, regardless of their physical location. Furthermore, the internet allows people to communicate
with one another from all over the world, allowing for forums and debates to promote religious beliefs.
In addition, the media plays an essential influence in the spread of religious ideas. In this regard,
many television networks, radio stations, and newspapers are completely dedicated to promoting
religions. T.V. channels such as Iqrae, Ennass, Majd, El Houda, and others, for example, are solely
religious channels developed for the strengthening and fortification of Islam. Religion or faith has
grown in significance and value as a non-territorial touchstone of identity as a result of globalization.
Religion, as a source of identity and pride, is constantly promoted by its adherents in order to achieve
globality and be welcomed by as many people as possible.

III.a. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Golebiewski, (2014) explained how globalization created a backlash in Religious Parochialism. As

globalization disrupts traditional communities, causes economic marginalization, and causes mental
stress, individuals experience these less desirable globalization consequences. Individuals turn to
religion because, unlike economic plans, political programs, or legal rules, religion has the ability to
"present a vision of security, stability, and simple answers" through stories and beliefs.
To begin with, globalization disintegrates traditional communities and replaces them with larger,
impersonal corporations. As globalization produces a global village, it radically transforms how people
think about citizenship, nationality, and immigration. For example, the European Union (EU) refers to
its members by their greater title, European citizens, rather than by their place of origin. Furthermore,
such groups impose universal criteria on all members, leading to the perception that individuals are
not fairly represented. As a result, many people turn to religion for relief, believing that these
institutions have shattered their "protective cocoon" that has covered them in the past.
Second, economic marginalization is a result of globalization. For example, as transnational firms
increasingly replace the government's role in the economy, the government's reputation as a welfare
provider diminishes. Globalization is also viewed as "Western imperialism," as well as
"Americanization," because it widens the divide between those who benefit from the global market
(usually the West) and those who are left behind (typically the Global South).
Last but not least, globalization produces mental stress. Although globalization allows people to
transcend borders, it also makes them fear losing their jobs, prestige, or other benefits. Furthermore,
because globalization prioritizes financial success over inner serenity, people are more concerned
with acquiring some material thing, such as a house, automobile, game, or simply any object.
However, when they have such item(s), they discover that they are empty on the inside and thus
know that inner peace can never be attained by material goods.

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III.b. ANALYSIS/ DISCUSSION

Azzouzi, (2013) further explained that such confrontations between world religions provide compelling
evidence of hybridity's disintegration and failure. As indicated in the above extract, globalization
makes faiths more aware of themselves as 'world religions,' bolstering their distinct specific identities.
Globalization strengthens these identities, which cannot mix or hybridize in any way.
As religions have separate internal structures, linkages to diverse civilizations, and incorporation of
different worshiping styles and practices, as in the case of Islam and Christianity, such religions
cannot become hybridized or homogenized, despite the fact that they are constantly in contact.
As a result, such religions have a higher proclivity for disputes and competitiveness. Because
globalization is claimed to put the world's cultures, identities, and religions into direct contact with one
another, causing everything to become hybrid, the competition and religious conflicts that it causes
pose a challenge to it and its hybridizing effects.
To put it, in the face of fast change in a globalized society, many people turn to religion for a clear
explanation of what is going on. Religion provides the idea of a "home" because of its strength as a
powerful identity that brings the message of unity and security in times of crisis. However, religious
identity becomes a major ingredient that reduces the self and the other to a number of cultural
religious characteristics.

IV. GENERAL CONCLUSION

The link between globalization and religion offers new opportunities while also posing new obstacles.
On the one hand, religion uses communication and transportation technology to its advantage, but it
is also the source of globalization's greatest resistance by serving as a safe refuge for people who
oppose its dominance. Religion, on the other hand, enters a circle of conflict as a result of
globalization, as religions grow “more self-conscious of themselves as world religions.”
According to Azzouzi, (2013), religion and globalization have a symbiotic relationship in which the
former relies on the latter to thrive and prosper while also questioning its (globalization's) hybridizing
effects. Globalization has led to the deterritorialization and blurring of geographical locations and
boundaries, thanks to advancements in communication and transportation technologies, as well as
the media's involvement. As a result, the world appears to have been transformed into a little town
where people, cultures, and identities interact on a regular basis.
However, Golebiewski, (2014) explained how globalization created a backlash in Religious
Parochialism. As globalization disrupts traditional communities, causes economic marginalization,
and causes mental stress, individuals experience these less desirable globalization consequences.
Individuals turn to religion because, unlike economic plans, political programs, or legal rules, religion
has the ability to "present a vision of security, stability, and simple answers" through stories and
beliefs.

V. CLOSING STATEMENT

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Religions must employ technological technology to focus more on the humane and pluralistic versions
of their teachings—values such as human dignity and human freedom—as a means of managing
religious diversity and avoiding violence in a time when globalization has yet to fully finish its process.
To put it another way, religious people should be open to different cultures and what they can teach
them. The major global religions, despite having "fixed texts," do not have "fixed beliefs," rather "fixed
interpretations of those beliefs," implying that their doctrines can be "rediscovered, reinvented, and
reconceptualized."
The bottom line is that the pieces of interreligious dialogue to manage religious diversity and avoid
violence are present, but the problem may be due to globalization's unintended and/or intentional
consequences of making religions more aware of themselves as "world religions," as well as the
unintended consequences of disrupting traditional communities, causing economic marginalization,
and causing individuals mental stress—all of which reinforce religious cultural charades. As a result,
the interaction between religion and globalization has created new opportunities while also posing
new obstacles.
Globalization's challenges to religion are inextricably linked to religion's challenges to globalization.
To put it another way, while religion cautions against globalization's norms and values, it resists the
latter since it (religion) does not approve of its hybridizing consequences.

VI. REFERENCES

Azzouzi, M. (January 24, 2013). “Religion and Globalization: Benefits and Challenges.”
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2013/01/75121/religion-and-globalisation-benefits-and-
challenges

Golebiewski, D. (July 18, 2014). “Religion and Globalization: New Possibilities, Furthering
Challenges.”
https://www.e-ir.info/2014/07/16/religion-and-globalization-new-possibilities-furthering-
challenges/