3.2

Introduction

 For a phenomenon that "is about everything", it is odd for globalization to have very little to do with religion. As discussed more on "Sociology of Religion" and "Secularization", religion has played a very important role in globalization. Before we dwelve into the relationship of the two concepts, let us start with the presentation of the "world's religion" and then relate it with the verified concepts of globalization.

Table 1. Different World Religions and Globalization

1. CHRISTIANITY 

symbol: cross

 It is a religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the New Testament. It believes that Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of humanity who's coming as the Messiah (the Christ) was prophesied in the Old Testament.

 Today, Christianity is the world's largest religion, with over 2.4 billion adherents, known as Christians. Worldwide, the three largest branches of Christianity are the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the various denominations of Protestantism. Throughout history, it weathered schisms and theological disputes that have resulted in many distinct Churches and denominations. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches broke communion with each other in the schism of the 11th century; Protestantism came into existence in the Reformation of the 16th century, splitting from the Roman Catholic Church.

2. JUDAISM

symbol: 6-sided star, looking like 2 overlapped up and down triangles

 It is a religion based on an ancient monotheistic religion, with the Torah as its foundational text (part of the larger text known as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible), and supplemental oral tradition represented by later texts such as the Midrash and the Talmud.

 It is called "ancient monotheistic" because it expresses the oldest covenantal relationship that God have established with the Children of Israel. It is also called as an ethno religious group because it includes those born Jewish and converts to Judaism.

 The Jewish population was estimated at about 14 million, or roughly 0.2% of the total world population (2012). About 42% of all Jews reside in Israel and another 42% reside in North America, with most of the remainder living in Europe, and other minority groups spread throughout South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

3. ISLAM

symbol: crescent and star

 It is a religion based on the Qur'an, monotheistic and Abrahamic. Qur'an means the verbatim religious text of the word of God (Allāh) taught to Muhammad. It is the teachings and normative example (called the sunnah, regarding the accounts of God called hadith of Muhammad (c. 570–8 June 632 CE), Muhammad is considered as the last prophet of God. And anyone who is adherent of Islam is called a Muslim (sometimes spelled "Moslem").

 Islam is the second-largest religion and the fastest-growing major religion in the world. Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world. With about 1.7 billion followers or 23% of the global population. Most Muslims are of one of two denominations: Sunni (75–90%) or Shia (10–20%). About 13% of Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country, 32% in South Asia, the largest Muslim population of any region, 20% in the Middle East, and 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sizable Muslim communities are also found in Europe, China, Russia, and the Americas.

4. HINDUISM

symbol: ॐ 

 It is a religion based on a "way of life" found in India and Nepal. It is called the "oldest religion" in the world referred to as Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal law" or the "eternal way" beyond human origins.

 This religion is a kind of fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots and no founder. This "Hindu synthesis" started to develop between 500 BCE and 300 CE, Template: As before and after the Vedic times. The ritual practices are puja (worship) and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages.

 Hinduism is the world's third largest religion by population, and the majority religion in India, Nepal, Mauritius and Bali (Indonesia) with over one billion followers.

5. THERAVADA BUDDHISM

symbol: 8-divisioned helm; The eight-spoke wheel (representing the Buddha's teachings, dharma)

 It is a Buddhism based on the teaching of Pāli Canon. Pali, literally means "school of the elder monks". So, these are collection of the oldest recorded Buddhist texts, as its doctrinal core, but also includes a rich diversity of traditions and practices that have developed over its long history of interactions with cultures and communities.

 It is the dominant form of religion in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, and is practiced by minority groups in Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, Nepal, and Vietnam. In addition, the diaspora of all of these groups as well as converts around the world practice Theravāda Buddhism.

6. MAHAYANA BUDDHISM

symbol: lotus (symbolizing purity)

 It is a Buddhism based on a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice. Mahayana (Sanskrit for "Great Vehicle") is one of two (or three, under some classifications) main existing branches of Buddhism. The Buddhist tradition of Vajrayana is sometimes classified as a part of Mahayana Buddhism, but some scholars may consider it as a different branch altogether. Mahāyāna" refers to the path of the Bodhisattva seeking complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, also called "Bodhisattvayāna", or the "Bodhisattva Vehicle". A bodhisattva who has accomplished this goal is called a samyaksaṃbuddha, or "fully enlightened Buddha". Mahayana Buddhists teach that enlightenment can be attained in a single lifetime, and this can be accomplished even by a layperson. The Mahāyāna tradition is the largest major tradition of Buddhism existing today, with 53.2% of practitioners, compared to 35.8% for Theravada and 5.7% for Vajrayana in 2010.

7. CONFUCIANISM

symbol: Water (水)

 Confucianism, also known as Ruism, is a system of philosophical and "ethical-sociopolitical teachings" sometimes described as a religion. Confucianism developed during the Spring and Autumn Period from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE), who considered himself a retransmitter of Zhou values.

 Confucianism revolves around the pursuit of the unity of the self and Tiān (Heaven, or the God of the Universe.)

 Rén, translated as "humaneness" or the essence proper of a human being, is the character of compassionate mind; it is the virtue endowed by Heaven and at the same time what allows man to achieve oneness with Heaven

8. TAOISM

 symbol: yin-yang

 It is also called Daoism a spiritual, philosophical and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path", or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source of, and the force behind, everything that exists.

9. SHINTOISM

symbol: shrine gate

 It is also called kami-no-michi, is an ethnic religion of the people of Japan. It focuses on ritual practices to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written historical records of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki in the 8th century. Still, these earliest Japanese writings do not refer to a unified "Shinto religion", but rather to a collection of native beliefs and mythology.

 Shinto is the largest religion in Japan, practiced by nearly 80% of the population, yet only a small percentage of these identify themselves as "Shintoists" in surveys. This is because "Shinto" has different meanings in Japan: most of the Japanese attend Shinto shrines and beseech kami without belonging to an institutional "Shinto" religion, and since there are no formal rituals to become a member of "folk Shinto", "Shinto membership" is often estimated counting those who join organized Shinto sects. Shinto has 81,000 shrines and 85,000 priests in the country.

CONSIDERATIONS: BEYOND THE SECULARIZATION DEBATE

 Religion being an inter- and cross- disciplinary science of learning was brought about by its importance in the contemporary times because it has with it the context of philosophy, sociology, history and psychology. What is the dominant debate of these associations and societies? It is the term "Secularization" in the modern world. There are about four (4) basic questions that need to be addressed; 1.) What is the scope of secularization? 2.) What is the nature of secularization? 3.) As to what extent is the secularization process? 4.) What parameters are involved in secularization?

 Grace Davie's notion of Secularization is a "Vicarious Religion." Rodney Stark's notion of Secularization is a "folk Religion," a "popular Religion," a" Contemporary Spirituality," a "Superstition."

 In Western Europe "Secularization" is understood as "Paradigmatic"- a phenomena of religion not subject to any global patterns.

 In the United States "Secularization" is understood as "a global pattern of religiosity" not a subjective parochialism.

 Actually, the modern world is a concrete manifestation of secularization. This is because there was a radical shift from the medieval world – a world where the religiosity among faithful have declined and there was an occurrence of separation between the Church and the State.

In the Medieval Times, the Western people were not ignorant of God; a must have faith in God Phenomenon. But, today to have faith in GOD is just an option- meaning it's up to you to believe or not to believe. In these sense "Secularization" can be best understood as a shift of human condition to choose or to have a choice even the unknown." The ideas are as follows:1.) It is a post-secular society (Jurgen Habermas and Ratzinger 2006, European concept)-meaning a religion that was created by the Ancient and Medieval people makes a return in many forms to the public from where it was cast out during the modern era. In short, it is termed as "the religious fundamentalism." In consequence, there is now a public "Flagging" of the confession of faith. Example: We confess that we believe and yet we do not practice what we believe." Like in the case of post-Soviet Russia, 82% Russians called themselves Orthodox but only 42% of them are believers. Of the 50% Orthodox non-believers, 42% are atheists. In Great Britain, religious "Flagging" was expressed as "believing without belonging." It is an active project (Secularization in Western Societies)-meaning religion is not a product of cultural change, economic changes and of political changes but simply of the outcome of social action. In short, religion is no other than "social action."

 This means religion is by product of cultural roles of traditions and culture. The conventional idea of Secularization in the traditional religion were of two dimensions: 1. institutional dimensions of religion- 2. Individual dimensions or religion.

GLOBALIZATION: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD

 Every religion has its own contribution in the account of the "global" or the so called "Globalization." In fact, different religion has its own different definition peculiar to the understanding of Globalization.

Sociology of religion defines globalization as "the universalization of an institution"- meaning making in the long term applicable and adoptable universally of their religion in the human history (Parson, 1977).

Roland Robertson (1977) defined Globalization as follows: i) the compression of the world. It means the accelerated pace of contacts among cultures, peoples and civilizations; ii) the shrinking of the world; iii) the search for fundamentals- meaning "no matter what world religions and fundamental churches you are;"" No matter how separated the Church and the State are," "No matter how many dialogues done among RELIGIONS in the industrialized and developing countries are." Still, in all these realities and events, religion tends to return to the public domain where in that return, there occurs the de-privatization of religion, a kind of Globalization's space-time dimension. Instead of saying Modern Age, in globalization it is called Global Age. etc.

The spatial dimension of globalization is the deterritorialism and reterritorialization of religion. It is called ecumenical orientation of ecumenism of transnational religion where religion forms a new form of attachment. It reshapes the world's religious geography through the increase of cross-cultural contact lifting social relations from the original with the possibility of reconstructing, creating and recreating the locality.

Various relationship between Religion and Globalization: there was the rise of religious nationalism; the return of religion into the public lives of people; the proliferation of international terrorism; the increase of personalized individual religiosity.

The two interpretation of Religion and Globalization: 1. It is the spread of religion and other religious expression across the globe. That religion is the product of a long term process of inter-civilization or cross-cultural interaction. 2. It is the place of religion with the context of globalization. It is the relational impact of globalization upon religion; The two strategies of Religion in front of Globalization: 1.) Cultural defense- meaning even a religion rejects globalization from its trends, events and impulse, still this religion is shaped by globalization. In fact, religion is forced to respond to a newly found situations-the other term is resacralization; 2.) Active engagement- meaning religions engages the events, trends and impulse of globalization; to this result it is interconnectivity and intertwining of religious expressions.

 Therefore, religion serves as an important bridgehead between pre-modern and modern social formations. Globalization is a historical reality which pace and influence crystallizes the religions in the historical development. Globalization is a consequence of modernity; it is a result of second modernity; it is the rise of the west within the world; it is the rise of Universalists philosopher and world religions.

TRANSNATIONAL RELIGION AND MULTIPLE GLOCALIZATIONS

 There are two research agendas of religion in front of globalization:

1). Transnationalism (1990) - meaning when a group of people migrated from their home countries to the first world countries, which resulted in multicultural societies. These new immigrants does not assimilate themselves to the culture of the countries they have migrated to, but simply maintained their links to their homeland. To this effect, there exists a transnational tie, constructing, reproducing and preserving their religious culture even if they are in the first world nations. 2) Deterritorialization of Religion- meaning the movement of people including its faith across the globe. It is becoming known of the unknown religious traditions of a particular faith. Ex. Just imagine having a "Flores de Mayo" procession on the month of May in New York City, U.S.A. - this is a clear aspect of de-territorialism. Transnationalism of Religion- is the spread and emergence and public presence of several Religions in the state. As critical other- a kind of people's migration. Ex. Protestantism in the Latin America; Islam in Europe; Islam in Scandinavian countries.

This transnationalism has blending of i) Religious Universalism and ii) Local Particularism:

1). Religious Universalism- when immigrant communities make their religion as central reference of their migration. So, here occurs the so called "Religious Transnationalism"-meaning a religion going global. Ex. Rapid growth of Christianity in global south as the most popular faith. Here, it increases the connection of co-religionists locally and globally where their allegiance is not in the original homeland but to their global religious community- a kind of Transnational Transcendence of identities and boundaries.

 2). Local Particularism- "Wherein a local ethnic group will maintain their values and gain; that their said community as believers remained important for their survival in the foreign land. Two effects of Transnationalism, in the end, to the immigrants; 1) The person might adopt a cultural habit coming from the host community; 2) The person might construct to the so called "Pure Religion."

 The interplay and interface between religion and culture is the Easternalization of the West or the Westernization of the East. This is a process called Indigenization" or "Hybridization" or "Glocalization." It is also the ability of religion to immerse and mold into different communities in ways that connects it intimately with the local relations. Here, religion is blending. The nature of universal uniformity of religion from the different religious locality. This what we call "Glocal Religion." It is a "genre" of expression, communication and legitimization of the different, collective and individual identities into one locality in the Global world.

 Private means through individuals and institutional avenues through groups, the symbols and practice of the use of religious traditions, as a way of recruiting membership, from the national group. In effect, it continues to form religious community globally or without any specific geographical area. To blend religious universalism with the local religions is what they call HYBRID of globalization. Glocal Religion is the entire range of responses in front of modernization and secularization.

 In the religion of Christianity for example there are four concrete form of Glocalization: 1) Indigenization- because, in effect, native people or ethnic groups was connected to Christian faith; a sense of fusion between religion and culture and all of them survived; 2) Vernacularization- because, in effect, the Christian Greek, Latin and Arabic Bible was vernacularized in order to have all the access to the sacred; 3) Nationalization- because, it has consolidated one nation to another nation with the same confession from the Eastern rite to Western rite; 4) Transnationalism- because, it forced the people to identify with its specific religious tradition coming from their homeland and adopt a universal religion.

Conclusion

 This lesson addresses two social researches on the relationship between religion and globalization. The first of these is the convergence between transnational studies and the study of religion. This lesson also discussed that globalization has various effects on religion-- in the spread of religion and other religious expressions across the globe. Lastly, globalization of religion will continue as people and cultures move across the globe, as ideas are mobilized and conveyed by media technology.