Religion in a global context

• Religious fundamentalism


  A major area of concern in a global context
• Characteristics of fundamentalism


  • Authoritative sacred text
  • Us and them mentality
  • Aggressive reaction to threat
  • Use of modern technology
  • Patriarchy
  • Conspiracy theories
• Fundamentalists are intolerant of all other views and refuse to engage in rational argument
• Fundamentalism


  Different from traditional religion, arises where those who hold traditional beliefs and values feel threatened by modernity
• Fundamentalism


  A reaction to modernity
• Cosmopolitanism


  A way of thinking that embraces modernity, is tolerant, open and constantly reflects on and modifies beliefs
• Cosmopolitanism sees lifestyle as a personal choice, not something dictated by an external religious authority</b>
• Cosmopolitanism emphasises the pursuit of personal meaning and self-improvement rather than submission to authority
• Giddens is fixated on fundamentalism, ignoring other ways that globalisation and modernity affect religion
• Giddens lumps all types of fundamentalism together, ignoring differences
• Giddens claims fundamentalism is a reaction against modernity, but 'reinventing tradition' is itself a modern, reflexive activity
• Monotheism


  The main cause of fundamentalism according to Bruce, as religious traditionalists perceive globalisation threatens their beliefs and lifestyle
• Bruce regards fundamentalism as being confined to monotheistic religions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity), as polytheistic religions (e.g. Hinduism) are unlikely to produce fundamentalism
• Two types of fundamentalism

  • In the West, a reaction to change within society
  • In developing countries, a reaction to changes being thrust on a society from outside
• Secular fundamentalism


  The rise of secular fundamentalism as a result of changes in the nature of modern society, a reaction to the greater uncertainties of the postmodern world
• Secular fundamentalism uses the language of equality and integration to legitimise the exclusion of religious or cultural minorities
• Clash of civilisations


  The view that conflicts have intensified since the collapse of communism in 1989 and are symptoms of a wider clash between different civilisations
• Huntington's views on the clash of civilisations have been widely criticised
• World Values Survey data indicates the issue dividing the West from the Muslim world is not democracy but sexuality, as Western attitudes have become more liberal while in the Muslim world they remain traditional
• Cultural defence


  The function of religion to unite a community against an external threat, giving it a prominent role in politics
• Cultural defence


  • Poland under communist rule, the Catholic Church as a rallying point for opposition
  • Iran, Islam as the focus for resistance to Western influence and modernisation
• Secularisation theory claims development undermines religion, but religion may also contribute to development
• Hinduism and consumerism in India

  Hinduism legitimating the position of the Indian middle class and their adjustment to globalised consumer capitalism
• Hinduism also legitimates a triumphalist version of Indian nationalism, promoting the view that India's global success is due to the superiority of 'Hindu values'
• Pentecostalism in Latin America


  Pentecostalism acting as a 'functional equivalent' to Weber's Protestant ethic, encouraging the development of capitalism
• Pentecostalism creates new local religious forms, incorporating existing local beliefs rather than replacing them with ones imposed from outside