RLG100Y1 Lecture Notes - Nationalization, New Religious Movement
Document Summary
At the beginning of the 21st century, there are few regions of the world where religion is not a factor in political conflict. Distinguish between religion at the individual and group levels. It was widely believed that as countries developed, they would secularize. Developing countries have many different ways of governing themselves. Colonialism supported secular states, and in the developing countries attempt to gain independence from colonization, they cast out secular politics and turned to religion. Many post-colonial governments expanded state power, and equated secularization with modernization. However this modernization produced feelings of alienation in many people, who turned to their religious communities, using religion to achieve socio-political goals. Religion has re-emerged into the public arena when people lose faith in secular politicians. Secularization main socio-political trend in the west. Increase in various forms of spirituality and religiosity, and churches are more openly willing to articulate their views on socio-political issues.
