New Religions and Globalization

Globalisation is a predominant theme in contemporary educational and political circles. Research on globalisation has become a political priority because the world has become a 'single place' where local events may have world-wide political, economic and military consequences. Oftentimes, however, c [...]
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Globalisation is a predominant theme in contemporary educational and political circles. Research on globalisation has become a political priority because the world has become a 'single place' where local events may have world-wide political, economic and military consequences. Oftentimes, however, cultural and religious consequences are ignored -- although recent waves of violence seem to be religiously fuelled. This book argues that studying new religions in a globalisation perspective offers theoretical and methodological advantages for the general study of religion and the general study of globalisation. Religions are often cosmopolitan and universal in their overall message, yet they may also be utterly immersed in local interactions. Whether approached as a reflection of world economy and power dynamics, new possibilities of communication and cultural exchange in the light of mass media and technology, or increased cultural plurality in the wake of migration, the concept of globalisation challenges the academic study of religion to renew its theoretical and methodological reflection.