Globalisation and Religion

• Long term trends in secularisation in Western Europe

• Impact of globalisation can be seen to have renewed faith in other parts of the world

• Greater diversity of religious and spiritual practices

• Growth of fundamentalism as response to globalisation

Beyer (1994) - Impacts of globalisation on religion:

• Particularism - growth of fundamentalism as a response to cultural homogeneity

• Universalism - the major religions have increasingly focused on what unites them

• Marginalisation - religion plays less of a part in society

Lyon (2000) - Religion and Consumerism:

• Impact of globalisation has been increased consumer choice - this extends to religious belief

• Increase in new forms of religion that are available to consumers, particularly online

• Importance of media and improvements in communication also relevant

Increased global communications:

• Helland (2000) distinguished two kinds of religious activity increased by greater communication technology

• Online religion - religion that exists within the confines of cyber-space

• Religion online - traditional religious practices moving online to increase engagement

Religious identity:

• Religion has become removed from national identities

• Increased migration in era of globalisation has led to spread of religious identities

• Spread of religious ideas through communications networks has increased membership of religions once based in specific geographical areas

Rise of fundamentalism:

• Giddens (1991) argues that globalisation has led to increased insecurity

• Religious fundamentalism offers simple answers to complex problems of society

• Evidenced by rise of Christian and Islamic fundamentalism