GLOBALIZATION101.ORG
UNIT ON RELIGION AND GLOBALIZATION
Introduction
This unit focuses on religious perspectives on globalization. In the introductory
discussion, students will discuss the role of values in shaping perspectives about
globalization, through consideration of an article on globalization written by the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a Globalizaton101.org “Ask the Experts”
interview. Then, students will consider how religious values generally may conflict with
both economic and cultural globalization. Next, they will learn about the specific
responses to globalization of certain religions. Finally, they will learn about how some
religions have benefited from globalization.
Instructional Goal
Students gain basic understanding of religious perspectives on globalization and how it
relates to international development and free market economics
Learning Outcomes
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Students understand the reactions of religious believers to globalization.
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Students differentiate between the attitudes of different religious traditions toward
globalization.
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Students recognize how globalization has helped spread religious movements.
Resources
Required
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Globalization101.org interview with Ira Rifkin, “Spiritual Perspectives on
Globalization”: http://www.globalization101.org/author-ira-rifkin-on-his-bookspiritual-perspectives-on-globalization/
Globalization101.org, Culture Issue in Depth
http://www.globalization101.org/category/issues-in-depth/culture/
International Monetary Fund (IMF), “Globalization: Threat or Opportunity,”
http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/ib/2000/041200to.htm#I
Suggested
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Mary Ann Glendon, “Globalization and the Church’s New Challenges, ”
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/politics/pg0049.html
The Bahá'í International Community, “The Prosperity of Humankind,”
http://info.bahai.org/article-1-9-2-11.html
Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, "The Jewish Ethicist: The Risks and Benefits of a
Worldwide Marketplace," http://www.aish.com/ci/be/48882862.html
World Council of Churches: “Lead Us Not Into Temptation: Churches Response
to the Policies of International Financial Institutions”:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-programmes/publicwitness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/poverty-wealth-andecology/neoliberal-paradigm/lead-us-not-into-temptation-churches-response-tothe-policies-of-international-financial-institutions.html
David Frawley, “The Hindu Response to Globalization,” in Hinduism and the
Clash of Civilizations, http://www.bharatvani.org/books/civilization/partI9.htm
Nasser Elahi, Globalization: An Islamic Perspective
http://lass.calumet.purdue.edu/cca/jgcg/2007/sp07/jgcg-sp07-elahi.htm
James Kurth, “Religion and Globalization”:
http://www.fpri.org/fpriwire/0707.199905.kurth.religionglobalization.html
Alfred Bloom, "Globalization and Buddhism,"
http://www.shindharmanet.com/writings/globalization.htm
David Loy, “Religion and the Market”:
http://www.religiousconsultation.org/loy.htm
Philip Jenkins, “The Next Christianity,”
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2002/10/jenkins.htm
Vinay Lal, "Reflections on the Indian Diaspora,"
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Diaspora/reflect.html
Time Required
4-5 classes
Procedure
Introductory Discussion—Values and Globalization (2 class periods)
1. Begin a discussion of religious perspective on globalization by discussing the role
of religion generally in shaping the values, beliefs, and policies of both societies
and individuals. Note that religious influences can be conscious and unconscious,
overtime merge into broader cultural values, and are often more influential in
non-Western, traditional societies than in the more secular West.
2. Have students watch the Globalization101.org Expert Video interview with Ira
Rifkin. Based on the comments in the video, discuss why the students think
religion might be important in shaping societies’ and individuals’ perspectives on
globalization.
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3. Next, describe briefly what the International Monetary Fund is and its role in
globalization, based on the Globalization101.org Issue in Depth on
What is the IMF? and What is the World Bank? Then have students read the IMF
paper, “Globalization: Threat or Opportunity.”
4. Ask students to identify the values that underlie the IMF’s generally positive view
of globalization. For example, ask them if free markets are values-free, or do they
carry implied values expressed through lifestyle choices? What values are
inherent in a consumerist orientation? Does globalization prioritize the belief in
the efficiency of free markets over social, cultural, and environmental concerns?
Ask students to think of any criticisms they have of the values of the IMF.
5. Then, discuss why the values of some religions may conflict with some of the
values underlying the IMF’s view of globalization. Some issues to consider are
the following: How do values associated with a high degree of personal freedom
conflict with the values associated with communal responsibility? How do values
that stress individual choice challenge religious values? Does consumerism
contradict religious values?
6. Finally, have students read the section on pop culture in the Globalization101.com
Issue in Depth on Culture, http://www.globalization101.org/pop-culture/
7. Discuss how international media spread Western consumer preferences to local
cultures via advertising and a focus on “pop culture.” How might this conflict
with religiously derived values in more traditional societies?
Religions’ Various Perspectives on Globalization (2-3 class periods)
8. Have students read some of the articles on various religious traditions and their
approaches to globalization listed above. You may also assign individual students
to read single articles and be prepared to discuss them in class, rather than
assigning all students to read all the articles.
9. Lead the students in a discussion of the specific approaches of various religions to
globalization. Suggested ways to do so include the following:
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Contrast the core teachings of the Abrahamic traditions—Christianity, Islam
and Judaism—as presented by Cardinal George, Rabbi Meir, and Chandra
Muzaffar in “Globalization and Religion” with the Buddhist perspective
presented by David Loy and Alfred Bloom.
Discuss James Kurth’s equating of economic and cultural globalization with
Calvinist Protestantism, primarily as it developed in the United States.
Discuss the “social justice” Protestant perspective toward globalized freemarkets presented in the World Council of Churches’ article. How does it
compare to the Catholic perspective on globalization as explained by Cardinal
George?
What is it about the values implied by cultural globalization that are offensive
to traditional Muslims (refer to James Kurth and Nasser Elahi)?
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As shown in the article, “The Prosperity of Humanking,” the Baha'i
Faith believes in the eventual unity of all of humanity. How does that fit in
with the growth in influence of multinational corporations?
 Have students read the articles on “global Christianity” and the Indian
diaspora. Discuss how religions have spread as a result of globalization,
ranging from the spread of Christianity by European explorers to the
contemporary spread via immigration of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam in
the West.
10. Examine one of the articles in-depth. The following are article-specific questions
created by professors at Columbus State University
 Mary Ann Glendon, “Globalization and the Church’s New Challenges ”
o Since the publication of this article in 2001, what events and/or policies
have shaped globalization throughout the world?
o What are some of the unstated cultural assumptions based in the author’s
religious perspectives
o What do you perceive as the religious, socio-political, and global issues
presented in this article?
o What religion does stand aloof? Discuss/critique this statement, is it
accurate, and how or how not?
o Glendon states that the economic value of “productivity and efficiency”
are prized by the market, but can be destructive of community, values, and
higher values? Discuss.
o Comment on the possible conflict between “Catholic” values and marketoriented values.
 The Bahá'í International Community, “The Prosperity of Humankind”
o What is the Bahai view of the relationship between religion and secular
life?
o What are the goals of Bahai regarding the world?
o What values make Bahai different from other religions?
o What does Bahai assume about human nature?
 Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, "The Jewish Ethicist: The Risks and Benefits of a
Worldwide Marketplace”
o Who are the 2 parties referred to in the article and what is the Jewish
ethical standard for keeping globalization in perspective
o Does the Talmudic story of the city of Shechem provide any concrete
guidance for coping with the humanistic concerns raised by globalization
o Dr. Meir analyzes the conflicting outcomes of globalization considering
intention, morality, compulsion, respect for legitimate local leadership,
and consistency. How could you use these characteristics to analyze
globalization as it relates to environmental issues?
o What other considerations do you think would be most useful in
evaluating environmental issues related to globalization?
o How might religious philosophy influence one’s perspectives regarding
globalization’s effect on the environment?
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World Council of Churches: “Lead Us Not Into Temptation: Churches Response
to the Policies of International Financial Institutions”
o What are the elements of neo-liberal ideology
o How is neo-liberal ideology like a religion
Hinduism, Globalization, and Geography
o Geographers are interested in the movement of peoples and ideas
across the world. How has Hinduism moved across the world historically?
How does Hinduism move across the world today "Computer chips not
potato chips."
o What does this BJP Party slogan suggest for India's relationship with
globalization.
o Why haven't Hindus been more organized in their response to
globalization?
o What role has technology taken in modern Hinduism?
o What are some of the positive elements of globalization from a Hindu
perspective?
 James Kurth, “Religion and Globalization”
o Define Modernism and Post-Modernism
o How does Kurth’s perspective differ/connect to other readings
o How would you make a counter-argument to Kurth’s characterization of a
contemporary globalized and secularized world?
o List both positive and negative aspects of globalization?
o How would you deal with the challenges? Is your religion relevant to this
issue?
o Try to develop both short term and long term strategies from the business
company standpoints.
 Alfred Bloom, "Globalization and Buddhism"
o Define “Principle of Interdependence” and “Principle of Interdependence
Causation”
o From which of the Buddhist teachings did this principle develop?
o How does the author contrast the spiritual perspectives of the principle of
interdependence and the principle’s meaning when it is applied in politics
and economics?
o How does the author define interdependence, which enables dependence?
o How does this article encourage Buddhists to act to help shape the
development of globalization?
o What would some of these actions look like as behaviors in our society
(and in various areas like health care, human rights)
o Compare and contrast this article with other religious perspectives, where
might there be friction?
o How are globalization and Buddhism related?
o Human oversight and mistakes may be the core of the negative aspects of
globalization, are errors/mistakes inevitable? How does Buddhism address
this?
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o What are (tragic) examples of ignorance being a link to “tragedies” in
globalization?
Assessments
In order to assess students’ assimilation of the material, assign them to answer the
following essay question: “Is religion a force for opposition to globalization or is it a
force for alternative views of globalization? Make specific references to the beliefs of at
least three of the religions that we have studied.”
NOTE: Since this unit covers religion, it may not be appropriate for public schools. We
advise that teachers exercise careful judgment in discussing these matters. Avoid
judgments. Keep discussions to statements of fact, and away from the discussing the
validity of particular religious claims. Avoid stereotyping. Emphasize that religions are
not monolithic, and that individuals of the same faith often disagree on important details.
Make students aware of the need for sensitivity toward religious traditions and the
obstacle that stereotyping presents for academic inquiry in comparative religion.
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