King Silas Biso ECON-101B

Reflection about Globalization’s Influence on Religion and Vice-versa

The advent of globalization brought several radical changes in people's lives

worldwide. This is especially true in religion linked to the different cultures around the

globe. Upon careful scrutinization, it is safe to assume that globalization has had a

significant impact on the world's different religions. The relationship between

globalization and religion creates new opportunities while also offering new

challenges. Religion makes use of communication and transportation technologies.

On the other hand, due to globalization, religion enters a conflict cycle in which

religions grow more self-conscious about themselves as significant religions of the

world (Golebiewski, 2014). This paper will further elaborate on the effects of

globalization and religion in shaping the contemporary world.

It has been a common issue about how religion creates a disparity among

people worldwide. The Jewish diaspora is one of the most significant examples of how

religion initially divided people. Although the Jewish diaspora occurred years ago, its

effects are still visible today, shaping the middle east's political, economic, and

eschatological implications (Britannica, 1998). The same could happen to people

worldwide, considering the varying and conflicting beliefs and ideologies from different

religions. Nevertheless, when globalization occurred, religious tolerance took place.

With religion and globalization working hand-in-hand, religion is already uniting people

worldwide. When the situation calls for it, different religious organizations work

together to help resolve the conflict. In many instances, such as rape or murder cases,

representatives from different religions work together to help give justice to the victims.

Conflicting ideologies are temporarily being set aside because the priority is to

contribute to the welfare of society for the greater good.

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This, however, has limitations. When a disaster strikes and everyone needs

consolation, individuals may, for example, go to their houses of worship and find

comfort in the company of others from the same religion. Although it is amazing that

religion is uniting these people, they are only bonding with others who share their

religious beliefs. People will only go to their religious places of worship, but different

religions will stay distinct (Mathew, 2017). This, however, does not take away the fact

that, at some point, religions are still able to unite people.

While it is true that religious tolerance is good because it can unite people, it

does not sit too well with many religious organizations. In this regard, globalization can

also become a problem for different religions—the first reason is that globalization can

hinder the spread of power and influence. Globalization is a blessing for mainstream

religions such as Christianism, Hinduism, and Muslims. However, for more less well-

known religions such as Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, the Agori, Pana Wave, and the

like, the hegemony of large religious organizations will frequently overshadow them,

causing them to step out of the spotlight. Even religions that have been distinct to

one's culture for several years can easily be replaced by the dominant religion.

For example, South Korea initially believed in Shamanism and Buddhism.

However, with the rise of Christianity and globalization, 29% of Koreans are now

Christians, while 26% are Buddhist. South Korea, originally a Buddhist and Shamanist

country, is slowly turning into a Christian country. While the remaining 46% of Koreans

are not affiliated with any religion, most of them are still in favor of Christianity (Connor,

2014). It is only a matter of time before most Koreans become Christians. This

indicates that dominant religions can quickly spread from one country to another

through globalization, causing less well-known religions to lose their influence.

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On the contrary, globalization can restrict religious freedom. The irony is that

the goal of globalization is to eradicate barriers, but in exchange, freedom is

compromised. Political psychology research has consistently shown that the

perception of the risk of being out of the global spotlight plays a role in the formation

of in-group bias, ethnocentrism, and exclusionism. Globalization creates conditions

that encourage governments to restrict the religious activities of minority groups by

increasing the public's fear of danger and producing demands for restrictions on

minority religions and greater religious and cultural homogeneity. As a result, it is

anticipated that increased levels of globalization will be accompanied by more

legislation and restrictions on religious freedom (Bloom, 2014).

It is safe to assume that religion indeed plays a huge role in global conflict.

Religion is supposed to be there to create peace, but since so much emphasis is

placed on religion as a source of conflict, the role of religion as a force for peace is

frequently unnoticed. Religion influences public opinion, politics, the media, and

lifestyle. There was even a time when religion was directly involved with governance.

Although it is no longer the case, there are traces of religion still being actively involved

in global issues. For example, religious communities are typically inspired to advocate

for specific peace-related government measures through religious views and

connections. Religions can also advocate against racial discrimination, women’s

rights, LGBT rights, and other social issues that the world is currently facing. With

religions acting as the voice of the many, this significantly contributes to solving global

conflicts; thus, religion is vital in ensuring the welfare of society (Smock, 2008).
King Silas Biso ECON-101B

References
Bloom, P. B.-N. (2014, July 17). Globalisation has contributed to declining levels of
religious freedom across the world. Retrieved from Phelan US Centre:
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2014/07/17/globalisation-has-contributed-to-
declining-levels-of-religious-freedom-across-the-world/
Britannica, T. E. (1998, July 20). Diaspora. Retrieved from Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Diaspora-Judaism/additional-info#history
Connor, P. (2014, August 12). 6 facts about South Korea’s growing Christian
population. Retrieved from Pew Research Center :
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/08/12/6-facts-about-christianity-
in-south-korea/
Golebiewski, D. (2014, July 16). Religion and Globalization: New Possibilities,
Furthering Challenges. Retrieved from E-International Relations:
https://www.e-ir.info/2014/07/16/religion-and-globalization-new-possibilities-
furthering-challenges/
Mathew, S. (2017, November 6). How Religion Unites and Divides Us. Retrieved
from Medium: https://medium.com/@sahilmathew1/how-religion-unites-and-
divides-us-4dd6259d61df
Smock, D. (2008, February 1). Religion in World Affairs: Its Role in Conflict and
Peace. Retrieved from United States Institute of Peace:
https://www.usip.org/publications/2008/02/religion-world-affairs-its-role-
conflict-and-peace