Religion on a global scale Responding to Change. Time was….. Religion was an extension of the community. Deities, saints, and religious figures were.

Religion on a global Religion on a global scalescale

Responding to Change Responding to Change

Time was…..Time was…..

Religion was an extension of the community.Religion was an extension of the community. Deities, saints, and religious figures were local Deities, saints, and religious figures were local

patrons.patrons. Rituals and traditions were those of the community.Rituals and traditions were those of the community. The community and/or the extended family, not the The community and/or the extended family, not the

individual, was the primary focus of society.individual, was the primary focus of society. Even official religions had myriads of local variations Even official religions had myriads of local variations

determined by custom and practice. determined by custom and practice. Heavy emphasis on local heroes, religious figures, Heavy emphasis on local heroes, religious figures,

holidays, etc.holidays, etc. One learned the religion through growing up in it. One learned the religion through growing up in it.

Institutional worshipInstitutional worship

Religious, local, and national leadership was Religious, local, and national leadership was intertwined. intertwined.

Religion, ethnicity, community, and family Religion, ethnicity, community, and family often overlapped.often overlapped.

Religious officials were usually branches of Religious officials were usually branches of the state. To disagree with the religion was a the state. To disagree with the religion was a form of treason. form of treason.

Religious knowledge was in the hands of a Religious knowledge was in the hands of a select group of trained clergy and scholars select group of trained clergy and scholars who interpreted the faith for everyone else. who interpreted the faith for everyone else.

Official ConversionOfficial Conversion

If religious conversion took place, was often at an If religious conversion took place, was often at an official level—the state itself embraced the religion official level—the state itself embraced the religion and the people were expected to follow. and the people were expected to follow.

Examples included.Examples included.• The Roman Empire’s conversion to Christianity on the 4The Roman Empire’s conversion to Christianity on the 4 thth

century CE/ADcentury CE/AD• The conversion of the Persian Empire from Zoroastrianism to The conversion of the Persian Empire from Zoroastrianism to

Islam in the 8Islam in the 8thth century CE century CE• Russian conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy in 10Russian conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy in 10 thth century. century.• In 1600s Europe, agreement that the religion of the monarch In 1600s Europe, agreement that the religion of the monarch

(Protestant or Catholic) was the religion of the land. (Protestant or Catholic) was the religion of the land.

Changing times from 1500 onwardChanging times from 1500 onward

Colonialism blended customs, traditions, and Colonialism blended customs, traditions, and peoples.peoples.

Industrialization and urbanization resulted in Industrialization and urbanization resulted in massive migrations of people, bringing their own massive migrations of people, bringing their own traditions with them but also without the traditions with them but also without the supporting structure that village life provided.supporting structure that village life provided.

Since 1700s, rise of science challenged Since 1700s, rise of science challenged established religious traditions.established religious traditions.

Freedom of religion emerges as an acceptable Freedom of religion emerges as an acceptable part of society, allowing movements that would part of society, allowing movements that would have been otherwise crushed to exist. have been otherwise crushed to exist.

Growing tensionsGrowing tensions

People feel disconnected from older ways, People feel disconnected from older ways, often seeking a more personal, individual often seeking a more personal, individual connection with the sacred. connection with the sacred.

Older established religious traditions look Older established religious traditions look out of date compared to the changes out of date compared to the changes around them. around them.

Social and communication patterns Social and communication patterns emphasize a streamlined version of emphasize a streamlined version of religious practice that is more “portable.” religious practice that is more “portable.”

New EmphasesNew Emphases Emphasis on the individual’s experience with the sacred Emphasis on the individual’s experience with the sacred

over participation in traditional rituals.over participation in traditional rituals. Ordinary individuals with the proper spiritual direction Ordinary individuals with the proper spiritual direction

have as much or even more authority than official and/or have as much or even more authority than official and/or educated religious leaders educated religious leaders

Concern with getting back to the basics of the faith that Concern with getting back to the basics of the faith that the current tradition has gotten away from or muddled the current tradition has gotten away from or muddled with added meaningless traditions.with added meaningless traditions.

Embrace of emotion, joy, and sense of personal mission Embrace of emotion, joy, and sense of personal mission as outlets for religious response. Simply reciting creeds as outlets for religious response. Simply reciting creeds or participating in rituals is not enough--the person has to or participating in rituals is not enough--the person has to truly truly believe.believe.

The Paradox:The Paradox: Many such movements criticize modern society with its Many such movements criticize modern society with its

secularism, consumerism, obsession with pleasure, secularism, consumerism, obsession with pleasure, indifference to poverty and oppression, and celebration indifference to poverty and oppression, and celebration of the individual above the needs of the community.of the individual above the needs of the community.

Yet, many movements use the features of this society to Yet, many movements use the features of this society to get the message across:get the message across:

Selling individual spirituality and salvation (it’s about YOU and Selling individual spirituality and salvation (it’s about YOU and YOUR relationship with God or the divine) YOUR relationship with God or the divine)

Using the latest media and popular culture forms to convey and Using the latest media and popular culture forms to convey and express this spiritualityexpress this spirituality

Phrased in the language of going back to tradition or preserving Phrased in the language of going back to tradition or preserving “old time religion” while involves selecting certain features of the “old time religion” while involves selecting certain features of the older ways while rejecting others. older ways while rejecting others.

American-style Spirituality “Going to regular worship” = “being religious” Tends to be an expression of identity and a social outlet Expressed through causes and issues rather than theology. So

supportive of the religious ideal that many tend to assume the ideal situation is currently in place. For example:

In the 1950s 4/5 of Americans believed the Bible to be a revelation from God but 53% could not name even one of the first four books of the New Testament.

Blends the two images of America as a place of religious freedom and the “New Israel” into a single view that also is merged with strong sense of patriotism

Christianity: EvangelicalismChristianity: Evangelicalism

- A personal conversion experience in which a person - A personal conversion experience in which a person chooses Christ and receives a changed view of life in the chooses Christ and receives a changed view of life in the process.process.- An obligation to share this message with others and - An obligation to share this message with others and help them make a similar commitment.help them make a similar commitment.- Often functions in a worship setting that includes praise - Often functions in a worship setting that includes praise hymns about this relationship with Christhymns about this relationship with Christ- Preaching that centers on the conversion experience, - Preaching that centers on the conversion experience, and usually involves an altar call at the end of the and usually involves an altar call at the end of the serviceservice- A sense of being part of a Christian community that is - A sense of being part of a Christian community that is in some way different from the surrounding societyin some way different from the surrounding society..

Pentecostalism:Pentecostalism:

A religious movement within Christianity A religious movement within Christianity that emphasizes a person being filled with that emphasizes a person being filled with the Holy Spirit as a distinct presence the Holy Spirit as a distinct presence rather than a general sense of rather than a general sense of “spirituality.” The infilling results in a “spirituality.” The infilling results in a person receiving certain spiritual gifts person receiving certain spiritual gifts including speaking in tongues, healing, including speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy. and prophecy.

Religious ModernismReligious Modernism

Has taken many forms but tends to emphasize Has taken many forms but tends to emphasize the role of science and contemporary the role of science and contemporary understandings as making certain aspects of understandings as making certain aspects of belief and practice unnecessary or incorrect. belief and practice unnecessary or incorrect.

Tends to reject the miraculous elements or the Tends to reject the miraculous elements or the belief that all practices are divinely commanded. belief that all practices are divinely commanded. Instead, embraces a view that the core of all Instead, embraces a view that the core of all religion is about affirming love, tolerance, and religion is about affirming love, tolerance, and compassion over judgment. compassion over judgment.

Examples of ModernismExamples of Modernism Deism 18Deism 18thth century—God is the clockmaker who century—God is the clockmaker who

sets up rules but is otherwise uninvolved.sets up rules but is otherwise uninvolved. Biblical Criticism—sees the Bible as a human Biblical Criticism—sees the Bible as a human

document that with parts that are more or less document that with parts that are more or less accurate. Especially noted among German accurate. Especially noted among German theologians in the 1800s. theologians in the 1800s.

Unitarianism—sees Jesus as ethical teacher but Unitarianism—sees Jesus as ethical teacher but human.human.

Reform Judaism—Kept the ethical teachings of Reform Judaism—Kept the ethical teachings of TorahTorah while left it up to the individual to decide while left it up to the individual to decide how or whether to maintain many of the how or whether to maintain many of the traditional religious practices. traditional religious practices.

Fundamentalism:Fundamentalism:

A religious approach that seeks to A religious approach that seeks to preserve what it considers the basic preserve what it considers the basic beliefs of the religious tradition, usually beliefs of the religious tradition, usually including a literal interpretation of including a literal interpretation of Scripture, against perceived attacks on Scripture, against perceived attacks on beliefs and practices from those within the beliefs and practices from those within the faith community and from the outside faith community and from the outside culture. culture.

The origins of Christian The origins of Christian FundamentalismFundamentalism

Emerged as a response to religious Emerged as a response to religious modernismmodernism

Fearing that religion was getting away Fearing that religion was getting away from its basic truthsfrom its basic truths

Funded by organizations such as the Funded by organizations such as the Moody Bible Institute and the Bible Moody Bible Institute and the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA).Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA).

Resulted in a series of pamphlets in the Resulted in a series of pamphlets in the 1910s called “The Fundamentals” 1910s called “The Fundamentals”

Principles of Principles of The FundamentalsThe Fundamentals

Deity of JesusDeity of Jesus Sin and the need for atonementSin and the need for atonement Bible is without error and correct on all Bible is without error and correct on all

matters.matters. Evolution became an issue because it Evolution became an issue because it

rejected a literal reading of Genesisrejected a literal reading of Genesis Also a challenge to Social Darwinism in favor Also a challenge to Social Darwinism in favor

of all humans being created in the image of of all humans being created in the image of God. God.

Recent Developments: ChristianityRecent Developments: Christianity

In North America, decline in traditional In North America, decline in traditional Protestant groups (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Protestant groups (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopalian, etc.) in favor of growth Methodist, Episcopalian, etc.) in favor of growth of Evangelical and Pentecostal groups. of Evangelical and Pentecostal groups.

Growth of Evangelicalism in Latin America at the Growth of Evangelicalism in Latin America at the expense of Catholicism. expense of Catholicism.

Decline of state churches in Europe with Africa Decline of state churches in Europe with Africa becoming the new center of energy for the becoming the new center of energy for the Christian world. Christian world.

Why? Powerful message focuses on individual’s faith journey.

It’s about YOU. Emphasizes change in one’s life both spiritually and

physically. “Gospel of Prosperity” says that if you are open to God’s will, God will bless you in this life as well as the future.

Lively, engaging worship that adapts modern cultural trends and features.

Portable faith. Not rooted in local traditions. Helps bring sense of purpose and meaning to the

rootless, turbulent, often unpredictable world around us. More demanding of a change in one’s life. Costly faith

implies a greater reward.

DemographicsDemographics Populations in Africa and Asia are surging with Populations in Africa and Asia are surging with

those of North America and Europe are those of North America and Europe are stagnating and even declining. stagnating and even declining.

Conservative traditions almost universally favor Conservative traditions almost universally favor larger families, resulting in more people born larger families, resulting in more people born into those traditions.into those traditions.

Evangelical traditions offer community for people Evangelical traditions offer community for people who are mobile and rootless.who are mobile and rootless.

Pentecostal groups, with their emphasis on faith Pentecostal groups, with their emphasis on faith healing, offer alternatives to populations with healing, offer alternatives to populations with little access to health care, especially in the little access to health care, especially in the developing world. developing world.

African ChristianityAfrican Christianity Includes emerging leadership in global movements such Includes emerging leadership in global movements such

as the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church. as the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church. Challenges western leaders over issues of theology and Challenges western leaders over issues of theology and practice. Non-Europeans now far outnumber Europeans practice. Non-Europeans now far outnumber Europeans in many of these traditions. in many of these traditions.

African religious leaders emerged out of the missionary African religious leaders emerged out of the missionary activities of the 1800s and early 1900s but have become activities of the 1800s and early 1900s but have become local leaders and formed their own movements. local leaders and formed their own movements.

Includes large numbers of independent religious Includes large numbers of independent religious movements as well such as the Kimbanguist Church, movements as well such as the Kimbanguist Church, founded by Simon Kimbangu (c1887-1951). The founded by Simon Kimbangu (c1887-1951). The Kimbanguist tradition now numbers over 5 million Kimbanguist tradition now numbers over 5 million members.members.

Neo-traditionalismNeo-traditionalism

Some Jews, Hindus, Catholics, Protestants, and Some Jews, Hindus, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims (and others!) seek to re-establish the Muslims (and others!) seek to re-establish the role that their traditions once had. Can be role that their traditions once had. Can be connected to strong senses of ethnic pride, connected to strong senses of ethnic pride, independence movements, or nationalism. independence movements, or nationalism.

A in world where things are changing so much, a A in world where things are changing so much, a nostalgia for an earlier time when things were nostalgia for an earlier time when things were stable, “people knew right from wrong,” and stable, “people knew right from wrong,” and “people respected their elders” seems very “people respected their elders” seems very desirable. desirable.

Islam: WahhabismIslam: Wahhabism

Islam has had similar movements, often as a Islam has had similar movements, often as a reaction to staid official practice.reaction to staid official practice.

The most significant one of recent centuries is The most significant one of recent centuries is that promoted by Muhammad Ibn Abd Al that promoted by Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Wahhab (1703-1792). Became the preferred Wahhab (1703-1792). Became the preferred version of the Saud family of Arabia.version of the Saud family of Arabia. Saw Islam’s tradition of saints and local practice as Saw Islam’s tradition of saints and local practice as

un-Islamic. un-Islamic. Sought to purify Islam by getting back to the core of Sought to purify Islam by getting back to the core of

the time of the Prophet Muhammad. the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

IslamismIslamism Rise of Wahhabism in Islam, connected to Saudi Rise of Wahhabism in Islam, connected to Saudi

leadership. Emphasize this as a reforming—getting back leadership. Emphasize this as a reforming—getting back to the roots of Islam. to the roots of Islam.

Often at odds with established governments, which have Often at odds with established governments, which have often been tied to the West or the Soviet Unions, were often been tied to the West or the Soviet Unions, were undemocratic, had military dictatorships, and leadership undemocratic, had military dictatorships, and leadership largely indifferent to the problems of the people.largely indifferent to the problems of the people.

Muslim Brotherhood movement, with figures such as Muslim Brotherhood movement, with figures such as Sayyid Qutb (1906-1966) argued that modern Muslim Sayyid Qutb (1906-1966) argued that modern Muslim societies were really more akin to the paganism of societies were really more akin to the paganism of Arabia before Muhammad. Brotherhoods and other Arabia before Muhammad. Brotherhoods and other charitable organizations are also involved in social charitable organizations are also involved in social issues, thus fusing their world view with social service issues, thus fusing their world view with social service programs, making them very popular with the poor and programs, making them very popular with the poor and disenfranchised.disenfranchised.

And So…..And So…..

Rodney Stark suggests that faiths that Rodney Stark suggests that faiths that demand more from their members grow demand more from their members grow more. Others say that faiths that thrive more. Others say that faiths that thrive know how to adapt to modern life.know how to adapt to modern life.

Far from dying out, religion is alive and Far from dying out, religion is alive and well on the world stage. well on the world stage.

The process continues….The process continues….