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Globalization and religion
How globalization affects religious practices and beliefs essay
The globalization of religion summary
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Class discussions about religious history inevitably turn to the question of whether
religious ideals throughout history remain absolute or are relative to the social, political and
economic trends of the time. For example, students are sometimes disturbed to learn that in early
Christian history, conversion was often in response to economic or political benefits rather than
religious fervor. Naturally, at the Catholic prep school where I teach, students want to believe
religious ideals and rhetoric are absolute. Yet, when studying the role of religion in shaping
societies, one cannot help but be struck by the fluidity of religious rhetoric. Although such a
discovery may be obvious to some, it is important for students to understand that we still live in a
world where people make important social and political decisions based on moral absolutes, with
an insistence on traditional and unchangeable religious values. It is essential, therefore, that
teachers of religious history promote discussion on the possible flexibility of religious
ideologies: is religious rhetoric part of an unwavering, scriptural tradition, or do those who
practice religion create the rhetoric? Moreover, do human self-interest and socio-economic
change always trump religion? Are social ideologies always stronger than religious tradition?
After studying the creation of a modern industrial economy in Europe for these five weeks, I am
convinced that analyzing the evolution of religious rhetoric in early modern Europe, which is
such a transitional phase of history, can illuminate how social, political, economic and cultural
change can guide or completely alter the morals and ideologies of a society.
Eric Hobsbawm and Keith Wrightson both argue th...
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...New Press, 1999.
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More, Thomas. Utopia. Translated by Paul Turner. London: Penguin Books, 2003.
O’Brien, Patrick. “Inseparable Connections: Trade, Economy, Fiscal State, and the Expansion of
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____. “Mercantilism and Imperialism in the Rise and Decline of the Dutch and British
Economies 1585-1815.” De Economist 148, no. 4 (2000): 469-501.
Wrightson, Keith. Earthly Necessities. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2000.
Religion is a part of society that is so closely bound to the rest of one’s life it becomes hard to distinguish what part of religion is actually being portrayed through themselves, or what is being portrayed through their culture and the rest of their society. In Holy Terrors, Bruce Lincoln states that religion is used as a justifiable mean of supporting violence and war throughout time (Lincoln 2). This becomes truly visible in times such as the practice of Jihad, the Reformation, and 9/11. The purpose of this essay is to show that as long as religion is bound to a political and cultural aspect of a community, religious war and destruction will always occur throughout the world. A historical methodology will be deployed in order to gain
Between the years 600 CE and 1450 CE in Europe, there was only one thing that stayed constant, and it was the Roman Catholic Church. The church remained a major influence on the people of Europe and the majority of the region continued to believe every single thing that the church preached. The only thing that did not stay constant was who had the power over the church and how the church made sure that everyone was following their rules that they had created. The church had varying teaching over the course of many years. It was also used as a tool for the rulers of that time.
With the fall of Rome, the world saw the rise of Christianity, specifically the Roman Catholic Church, which was created when a Roman Emperor named Constantine adopted Christianity as his own personal and the Roman Empire's official religion. From that time through the middle ages, Christianity grew in power and influence, the church enjoying a cozy relationship with the state. By the early fifth century, a mere one hundred years after Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, the church and state's power structure were deeply intertwined.
Religion commanded a central and varied role in European politics, society, culture, and thought, from the late 16th century to the Enlightenment.
The Middle Ages were characterized by a rigidly hierarchical society, which was justified by the view that, like the branches of a tree, every level of society was preordained and important. While the nobility and the clergy stood at the top of the society hierarchy, Jews and those who pursued dishonorable professions were branded outsiders. The Church acted as guardian of culture, particularly within its monasteries and convents. They preserved the scholarship of antiquity, often through the mediation of Muslim scientists. In the 12th century, the first universities developed from the monasteries and cathedral schools. Opposite to the clergy were the lords and nobility who developed their own culture, which was centered on chivalry.
When I was younger, my parents gave me some advice: “When talking in public, avoid discussing religion.” I took this advice because I didn’t want to offend anyone or cause drama. Overtime, I’ve grown and realize this “controversial” topic can bring about the best conversations. Talking about religion has allowed me to explore my faith, along with other peoples’ faith. Signing up for Religion and Popular Culture this semester allows me to understand a common query: What is religion? Shortly after the first week, I learned there isn’t a set definition, along with comprehending other elements of religion in different points of view.
Although scholars of new religious movements would agree that religious groups often have substantial influence over their followers, they would also argue that the “influence exerted in "cults" is not very different from influence that is present in practically every arena of life,” (19 Oct 1999). Mainstream religions also exercise influence over their members concerning matters such as lifestyle choices, familial relations and monetary donations. Furthermore, most social scientists concede that some degree of influence is inevitable in each culture and facet of life even outside the arena of religious choice.
Religion is considered as a pervasive force in this world. It shapes people as to how they behave and interact with almost everything present in the society. Influencing behavior, character formations, ideals, policies, standards are just among the dimensions and societal perspectives affected and impacted by religion. Because of these applications and implications in human lives and existence, religion should be understood deeply, particularly, on how it affects the world. Looking at the American perspective of the term "religion," it could be simply
Smart, Ninian. "Blackboard, Religion 100." 6 March 2014. Seven Dimensions of Religion. Electronic Document. 6 March 2014.
For thousands of years, religion has exerted a great influence over economic and political life. Even today religion is called upon to support rulers, contacts and other legal procedures.
For many communities, religion is a key facet of culture. It encompasses the values and morals they hold themselves accountable to, the social interactions they have, and the traditions they take place in. Since religion extends itself over so many different aspects of life, it can be challenging to pinpoint exactly what it is, and how to navigate through it based on one’s personal beliefs. The text this week attempts to answer these dilemmas by broadening the way readers think about the term “religion” and depicting methods that real people use to instill their faith in the everyday. By taking a glimpse into first the definition of religion, and then the various applications, we are able to analyze its meaning to a multitude of people, and
Religion is not unlike a castle, a grand architecture built upon the compilation of individual beliefs and traditions. It begins small at first, almost unseen as its foundations are set in place. As the bricks of belief are stacked, its walls grow and become something more recognizable. Next, the wooden boards of tradition are set in place and the structure is fleshed out, and ornate wallpaperings and furnishing begin to decor the interior as the structure develops into an elegant work of art, and the religion blossoms into a way of life. As society has grown and developed into a sophisticated marvel, so too has the castle of Christian religion. One might not expect remnant aspects of ancient tribal belief systems to be prevalent in the
The Victorian Era in English history was a period of rapid change. One would be hard-pressed to find an aspect of English life in the 19th century that wasn’t subject to some turmoil. Industrialization was transforming the citizens into a working class population and as a result, it was creating new urban societies centered on the factories. Great Britain enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity at home and thus was extending its global reach in an era of New Imperialism. Even in the home, the long held beliefs were coming into conflict.
Kutcher, E., Bragger, J., Rodriguez-Srednicki, O, & Masco, J., (2010). The role of religiosity in
Discoveries can be traumatic, confronting and shocking; they can lead to an acquisition of a more in depth knowledge of themselves, others and the outer world; this can conflict with an individuals perception of the world.