Religion, Globalization and Modernity: From Macro-Processes to Micro-Dynamics

Three aspects of the globalization – religion relationship are explored by this article. These three aspects are: growing religious diversity (as a macro-structural phenomenon); increasing organizational differentiation (as a mid-range institutional dynamic); and enhanced subjectivized religiosity (as a micro-social process). Discussion of these aspects is theoretically informed by the concept of ‘globalizing modernity’ which regards the networks and flows of globalization as implicated in the worldwide diffusion of processes and dynamics which are typically ‘modern’ in their character and impact. In addition to other examples drawn from various parts of the world, this article engages the Santo Daime religion as a working case-study which both grounds and exemplifies the issues addressed