The Politics of Religion: Globalization & Spirituality

This paper uses both an ethnographic approach and theoretical study of the religion. Religion is, without doubt, one of the single most potent institutional and political forces in the world we live in. Every day we hear of news events which are motivated by a particular religious perspective or agenda. Indeed, if we are to understand the world we live in, and provide a possible paradigm for dialogue and tolerance in the twenty-first century, we must understand and be able to speak to the religious traditions which impact so many of our world events. And yet, in a world marked by religious conflict there is a growing trend toward organic spirituality. This paper explores how the new globalization of spirituality is superseding the institutions/politics of religion, and how this may serve as a bridge to global understanding and create strategies that might be employed to bring religious tolerance and understanding in the midst of our diversity, rather than barriers of hatred as so often is the case