Module4_Lesson9-

The Contemporary World
Module 4
A World of Ideas
This module uncovers the physical and imaginary divisions of the world in the
age of globalization. Lesson 8 The Global Culture and Media, focuses on media’s
influence or culture and the interaction between local and global cultures. Lesson 9 The
Globalization of Religion tackles religion as affected by globalization and as a tool for
confronting global conflict and attaining peace.
Lesson 9 Learning Outcomes
This lesson examines how religion is affected by the shrinking of the world and how
it influences global conflict and peace.
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
1. Explain how globalization affects religious practices and beliefs; and 2.
Analyze the relationship between religion and global conflict and peace.
Pre-test
Instructions: Write agree if you think the statement is correct; otherwise, write disagree.
DISAGREE 1. More than 50% of Islam believers are found in the Arab world.
DISAGREE 2. Scientology is a religion. (Scientology is a Cult not religion)
AGREE 3. Christianity caused global conflict in the 20th century
AGREE 4. Members of religious organizations are peace-loving people
AGREE 5. Hinduism is a global religion.
Lesson 9 The Globalization of Religion
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. This truth is not
exclusive to Filipinos. It is true to most of the former “Third World”, developing countries,
 
Globalization can refer to the worldwide interconnected of all areas of
contemporary social life. One of these areas is religion which entails a personal or
organized system of religious beliefs and practices. On one end, globalization has
affected religion in various ways. It paved the way for the rise of the religious
nationalism, the turn of religion into public life the proliferation of international terrorism,
and the increase of individual religiosity. (Roudometof, 2014).
First, globalization gave rise to religious nationalism that came about after the
Second World War. Nationalism was closely associated with particular religious beliefs
and afflictions. For example, in the Philippines, crafting the law is sometimes anchored
on the lawmakers’ belief in Christianity. In 2018, a National Bible Day was declared as a
special working holiday. Islam-ruled states in the Middle East, similarly, are influenced
by practices of Islam.
Next, globalization led to the turn of religion into public life as a reaction to
post-World War II modernism. The often-forceful entrance of religious traditions, such as
the Catholic liberation theology and Islamic fundamentalism, from private sphere into
public life. (Cassanova, 1994) is a good example of this. Religion goes beyond the
administration of sacraments for Catholics and focuses more on the social concerns of
the poor and the oppressed inside and outside the church.
Then, globalization affected the proliferation of international terrorism. For
one, religious extremism – a type of political violence anchored on the belief that a
supreme being grants violence in the act of glorifying one’s faith (Martin, 2017) – has
become a central issue faced by the global community. Extremists believe that it is their
duty to fulfill God’s will through violence. 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.
Finally, globalization prompted the increase of individual religiosity brought about
by the individual’s need to rely on his or her beliefs and relationship with the supreme
being. For some, it is a reaction based on one’s frustration towards institutionalized
religions. For others, they just do not want to belong to or engage in any organization.