...------------------------------------------------- Religion in a Global Context For secularisation theory, modernisation undermines religion. The importance of science and technology in economic development, and the rational worldview on which they depend, are seen as destroying belief in the supernatural. On the other hand, religion may contribute to development, as Weber argued in the case of the protestant ethic (AO2 – Gordon Marshall and Peter Berger). More recently, sociologists have examined what role religion may play in development in today’s globalising world. Religion and Development Meera Nanda - God and Globalisation in India Globalisation has brought rising prosperity to India’s new middle class. Nanda’s book ‘God and Globalisation’ examines the role of Hinduism, the religion of 85% of the population, in legitimating both the rise of a new Hindu ‘ultra-nationalism’ and the prosperity of the Indian middle class. Hindusim and Consumerism Globalisation has created a huge and prosperous, scientifically educated, urban middle class in India, working in IT, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors closely tied into the global economy. According to Inglehart and Norris, these are precisely the people whom secularisation theory predicts will be the first to abandon religion in favour of a Secular View (AO2). Yet as Nanda Observes, a vast majority of this class continue to believe in the supernatural. A survey by the ‘Centre for the Study of developing Societies...
Words: 2375 - Pages: 10
...Fundamentalism describes people or groups that defend tradition and believe in the literal truth of sacred texts, they seek to return back to basics and do not like change. Giddens argues that fundamentalism has grown in reaction to globalisation and people are joining fundamentalist movements because in today’s society individuals are constantly faced with choice, uncertainty and risk. Fundamentalism offers individuals security and avoids any rational answers and solely turns to faith based ones. Although fundamentalists hate modernity they contradict themselves as they use modern methods to try get across their point to large audiences. For example they have television programmes this is known as televangelism and shows that they are crafty! Televangelism is a result of globalisation as new technology and and interconnectivity has made it possible for different beliefs from all cultures to get across to wide audiences. This could be a possible factor for church attendance figures dropping as believers do not need to go to chruch to follow their religon; they are now able to do it at home. Haynes however argues that fundamentalism is not caused by globalisation; He uses the Iran revolution as an example. Due to the country becoming Westernised, conflict in Iran increased, as did violence and oppression. The revolution began and Islamic fundamentalists gained power through the use of religion; this is known as "Cultural Defence". This example shows Fundamentalism in a positive...
Words: 863 - Pages: 4
...The Economy after the war… Switch from war to peace initially difficult Gets re-cranked up by 1922-1923 United states’ industry still intact after war, unlike Europe Becomes world’s top producer of consumer products Middle class expands greatly What about the lower classes? Same problems as before Too much prosperity for middle class to care!!! Rise of consumer spending on new fangled items Luxuries become necessities Auto Industry Urban and rural more closely connected Changes social mores Mores= social values Related businesses expand too Becomes dominant American business Why? Advertising in the Modern Age New focus-???? New target-???? Does this work?- yes New Religion, Old Religion Liberal Christianity Fundamentalism National debate Scopes Monkey...
Words: 687 - Pages: 3
...Religions and Politics (Prof. Mondonga M. Mokoli, Ph.D.) According to the scientific theory of evolution, life on Earth evolved naturally over time. Evolutionary theory was proposed by Charles Darwin in the 19th century and it was affirmed by the 20th century biologists and geneticists. Thus, this theory has achieved scientific consensus as the origin of human humankind. In contrast, supporters of intelligent design believe that all life on the Earth was created deliberately. Intelligent design theory proposes that the overwhelming complexity of the universe suggests a rational, omnipotent designer, be it God, an alien, or some other source. Thus, intelligent design theory was developed as an alternative not only to Darwin’s evolutionism but also to religious creationism which argues that God is the only creator of life, universe and their contents. The Purpose of this Chapter • Our purpose in this chapter is not to show the truth or falsehood of any of these perspectives nor the doctrines of any particular faith. Rather, it is: - To describe the nature of religion and the general character of certain major religions of the past and the present; - To give some attention to the role that religion has played in the development of human societies, that is; o not only to integrate and stabilize them but also, o at times, to create conflicts; - To consider the present-day influence of social change on religion and, - conversely, the influence of religion...
Words: 2856 - Pages: 12
...World Religions Report Jehovah’s Witnesses Stephen Devon Hill Jr. Axia College of the University of Phoenix January 10, 2009 In modern society there are numerous forms of Christianity. Many may be familiar with Catholics, Baptist, or Protestants. One form of Christianity that has created mixed views since its start is that of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some thoughts that may come to mind when people think of Jehovah’s Witnesses are cult activity, unusual Christian practices, and domineering individuals. This paper will take a look at the life as a Jehovah’s Witness. The paper will cover some of the common practices and beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The paper will also try to clear up some of the misconceptions that others believe about Jehovah’s Witnesses. The author of this paper has taken the time to research the Jehovah Witness religion by visiting a local Kingdom Hall, conducting an in-person interview with an actual Jehovah Witness, and also conducting research on the internet, as well as the library. Background Information The religion of the Jehovah’s Witness began in at the end of the 19th century. The religion was started a small group of Bible students close to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1879 the students began publishing what is known as the Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. The group that was formerly known as International Bible Students became Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1931. Membership of religion is marked by baptism. According to the Jehovah’s...
Words: 2404 - Pages: 10
...intruding into a Buddhist monastery to distribute Christian missionary materials in 1996; the destruction, damage of 750 Buddha statues in Jeju by a Christian (named Kim) in his attempt to transform Wonmyeong Temple into a church in 1998; the damaging of the Buddha statue at Dongguk University in 2000; and the frenzy over a video clip about missionary students doing a performance involving stepping on the Bongeun Temple site in 2010. These are only a portion of the total incidents that mainstream media has reported. If taking into consideration unreported cases, the list would go on much longer. The fact that such violence continuously arises implies the possibility that far more serious incidents may occur in the future. In Korea, Christianity and Buddhism are the two major pillars of religion for the nation - a...
Words: 7933 - Pages: 32
...Management 22 (International Business and Cross-Cultural Management) Jan Ray O. Macanas 3rd Year BSBA FM The Importance of Investment in an Emerging Country Developing countries, also known as emerging markets, are becoming the driver of global growth. It is expected to grow two to three times faster than developed countries like the US according to the International Monetary Fund. And because of the growth many investors are being pulled in to invest to some emerging markets. This growth is very important among investors because it simply enables them to foresee the future of their investment. (Forbes. “What Makes Emerging Markets Great Invesment?”.www.Forbes.com.) China has become a leading foreign investor among all emerging countries, According to the main stream of international business literature on the topic of multinationals from emerging countries, there are generally five motivations for multinationals to invest abroad; they seek resources, technology, markets, diversification, and strategic asset. A careful analysis of the data and the investment by Chinese multinationals indicates the similar motivations provided by China. Chinese government has, to a great extent, played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the country's outward investment; this is consistent that China's FDI has been part of the government's development scenario. Since the 1980s, the government has required the overseas subsidiaries to achieve one of the four goals--introduction...
Words: 2849 - Pages: 12
...Impact of Societal Social Institutions on People These embody all the ideas and beliefs of members of the society about how they think their lives should be organized. Dominant ideas and beliefs are those usually of the ruling class or the rich and powerful and tend to be the ones people find legitimate. Minority and weaker beliefs are also apart of the social institution but are not felt to be legitimate by the majority of the society and so may be suppressed and alienated. These ideas are normally in competition with one another for supremacy. So how can ideas be the building block of an entire society. Each institution becomes tangible through social organizations. So religious beliefs of the Christian are made tangible through the church. The ideas and beliefs forming the institution become concrete in the society through social organisations which reflect how these ideas are held. In each institution there are values (ideas on how something should be ranked in society), norms (yardsticks and standards that have evolved on how we should act), statuses (assigned positions or locations), and roles (expectations of behaviour). They are then the fundamental building blocks of society and vary over time and are based on the ideals which the people of the society have on accomplishing the tasks of living together collectively The Family Nancie Solien defines the family as "group of people bound by that complex set of relationships known as kinship ties“. It is the basic unit within...
Words: 4039 - Pages: 17
...Pentecostalism * One way in which this religion spread begins with an independent bible school in Topeka, Kansas, founded by Charles Fox Parham (1873-1929) * Some students there had a particular concern for the account in the Christian New Testament recorded in the book of Acts, chapter two, describing what happened to Jesus’ disciples as they gathered in a private room in Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of Pentecost. * This festival attracted thousands of tourists who spoke many different languages. According to the account, the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in these different languages. This phenomenon is called “speaking in tongues” or glossolalia. Those who spoke in different languages believed the Holy Spirit granted them the gift or power to do so. Much of the Christian tradition restricted such miraculous gifts to the age of the apostles and did not expect them later. * Parham’s students in Topeka found nothing in the biblical text that limited such spiritual gifts to an ancient time. On New Year’s Day, 1901, Agnes Ozman received the gift of speaking in tongues. Parham soon embraced the idea, equating such spiritual gifts with a “second baptism” that followed the traditional baptism which used water to anoint individuals. This second baptism was a baptism of fire * Speaking in tongues is a form of ecstatic experience when for a time another power seized control of one and manifests itself. * The Pentecostal...
Words: 6697 - Pages: 27
...would defend Darwin -This all leads to religious doubt Scientists are agnostics – don’t know if there is a God or not. There is no proof and evidence is not available to determine if there is or isn’t a God. German Higher Criticism -A bunch of philosophers of the 1870s basically trying to save the Bible from science fiction -Argue that you have to get rid of the things that are purely supernatural elements to save the Bible -You don’t want to throw out the whole Bible – there’s still a lot of relevant things -Morals, ethics and legal codes are still relevant Social Darwinism -Application of Darwins idea to society -“Survival of the fittest” – competition in natural world Realism (Naturalism) -Realistic art vs idealized art...
Words: 5140 - Pages: 21
...of secularism as to whether it had its roots in the eastern or the western thought. D. E Smith says, “The Secular State is, in origin, a western not an Asian Conception. This is not to deny the obvious fact the certain elements of the ‘secular state – have a long tradition in Asia.’ The term “Secularism” was first used by the British writer George Holyoake in 1851. Although the term was new, the general notions of free thought on which it was based had existed throughout history. Holyoake invented the term “Secularism” to described his views of promoting a social order separate from religion, without actively dismissing or criticizing religious belief. An agnostic himself, Holyoke argued that, “Secularism is not an argument against Christianity, it is one independent of it. It...
Words: 3137 - Pages: 13
...Map of Consciousness by Celes | ShareThis [pic] Email This Post A Powerful Framework For Your Personal Growth In this article, I’m very excited to share with you the map of consciousness, developed by Dr. David Hawkins in Power vs Force. [pic]This is the same map I alluded to in Are You Sleepwalking Your Life Away? Part 2 post. The reason I’m so excited is because this map is probably the single most powerful tool in your pursuit for personal growth and excellence. There are two reasons why I say that: Firstly, having the map of consciousness empowers us in knowing where we stand in our current state of growth. While all of us can try to live consciously every day, without knowing the point we are starting from, we are just randomly groping in the dark. Having the map gives us a fix on our current location. When we are able to identify our starting point, we can then make actionable plans on where we want to go next. Secondly, this map lists all the different levels of consciousness attainable, thus serving as a critical framework for conscious living. Without knowing the highest end state of consciousness we can attain, we can only be making baby steps of progress and not be optimizing our full potential. But having clarity of the different levels of consciousness provides us with the full context of growth. By knowing the other levels ahead, we are more able to comprehend how limiting our current level of consciousness is, what we should be striving towards and the...
Words: 5718 - Pages: 23
...International Relations Theory The new edition of International Relations Theory: A critical introduction introduces students to the main theories in international relations. It explains and analyzes each theory, allowing students to understand and critically engage with the myths and assumptions behind each theory. Key features of this textbook include: • discussion of all of the main theories: realism and (neo)realism, idealism and (neo)idealism, liberalism, constructivism, postmodernism, gender, and globalization two new chapters on the “clash of civilizations” and Hardt and Negri’s Empire innovative use of narratives from films that students will be familiar with: Lord of the Flies, Independence Day, Wag the Dog, Fatal Attraction, The Truman Show, East is East, and Memento an accessible and exciting writing style which is well-illustrated with boxed key concepts and guides to further reading. • • • This breakthrough textbook has been designed to unravel the complexities of international relations theory in a way that allows students a clearer idea of how the theories work and the myths that are associated with them. Cynthia Weber is Professor of International Studies at the University of Lancaster. She is the author of several books and numerous articles in the field of international relations. International Relations Theory A critical introduction Second edition Cynthia Weber First published 2001 by Routledge Second edition published 2005 by Routledge...
Words: 74303 - Pages: 298
...Th e T yranny of Gui lt • Pa s c a l B ru c k n e r Translated from the French by s t ev e n r e n da l l The tyranny of Guilt An Essay on Western Masochism • P r i n c e t o n u n i v e r si t y P r e s s Princeton and Oxford english translation copyright © 2010 by Princeton university Press First published as La tyrannie de la pénitence: essai sur le masochisme occidental by Pascal Bruckner, copyright © 2006 by Grasset & Fasquelle Published by Princeton university Press, 41 William street, Princeton, new Jersey 08540 in the united kingdom: Princeton university Press, 6 oxford street, Woodstock, oxfordshire OX20 1TW press.princeton.edu all rights reserved library of congress cataloging-in-Publication data Bruckner, Pascal. [tyrannie de la pénitence. english] The tyranny of guilt: an essay on Western masochism / Pascal Bruckner; translated from the French by steven rendall. p. cm. includes index. isBn 978-0-691-14376-7 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. civilization, Western— 20th century. 2. civilization, Western—21st century. 3. international relations—Moral and ethical aspects. 4. Western countries—Foreign relations. 5. Western countries—intellectual life. 6. Guilt 7. self-hate (Psychology) 8. World politics. i. title. CB245.B7613 2010 909’.09821--dc22 2009032666 British library cataloging-in-Publication data is available cet ouvrage, publié dans le cadre d’un programme d’aide à la publication, bénéficie du soutien du Ministère des affaires étrangères et du service...
Words: 64873 - Pages: 260
...IN CONTEMPORARY SOUTHEAST ASIA ISLAMIC STUDIES AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION i ii IN CONTEMPORARY SOUTHEAST ASIA ISLAMIC STUDIES AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION Editors KAMARUZZAMAN BUSTAMAM-AHMAD PATRICK JORY YAYASAN ILMUWAN iii Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-In-Publication Data Islamic studies and Islamic education in contemporary Southeast Asia / editors: Kamaruzzaman Bustamam-Ahmad, Patrick Jory ISBN 978-983-44372-3-7 (pbk.) 1. Islamic religious education--Southeast Asia. 2. Islam--Education--Southeast Asia. I. Kamaruzzaman Bustamam-Ahmad. II. Jory, Patrick. 297.77 First Printed 2011 © 2011 Kamaruzzaman Bustamam-Ahmad & Patrick Jory Publisher: Yayasan Ilmuwan D-0-3A, Setiawangsa Business Suites, Taman Setiawangsa, 54200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means – for example, electronic, photocopy, recording – without prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed review. The opinions expressed in this publication is the personal views of the authors, and do not necessary reflect the opinion of the publisher. Layout and cover design: Font: Font size: Printer: Hafizuldin bin Satar Goudy Old Style 11 pt Gemilang Press Sdn Bhd iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS T his book grew out of a three-day workshop jointly held by the Regional Studies Program, Walailak University, and the Department...
Words: 104903 - Pages: 420