How Globalization Shakes Faith to the Core

Imagine growing up believing that the sun revolves around the Earth. For centuries, this was accepted as absolute truth by nearly everyone. It wasn’t until new ideas spread that people began to see that this truth was, in fact, a misunderstanding. Now, imagine the beliefs you hold about religion—the ones you were taught from childhood. Could they, too, be influenced by where you were born rather than being universal truths? Thanks to globalization, more people are beginning to ask this question.

When you were a child, your religion was likely presented to you as the one true path. It was part of your identity, your community, and your world. But if you had been born in a different country or even a different region, chances are your beliefs would have been different, too, thanks to the fact that faith is often closely tied to the culture and geography where it is practiced.

For example, a child born in Saudi Arabia is likely to be raised as a Muslim, while a child born in India might be brought up as a Hindu. In the United States, a child might grow up as a Christian, while in Japan, they might be raised with Shinto and Buddhist practices. Each of these religions is rooted in the history and culture of its region. But does this mean that one is more true than the others? Or is it possible that what we believe is simply a matter of where we were born?

Globalization, the process by which the world is becoming more interconnected through trade, communication, and travel, has had a fundamental impact on how we see the world—including how we view religion.

In the past, people, more often than not, lived their entire lives without encountering someone of a different faith. Today, on the other hand, it’s common to interact with people from various religious backgrounds, whether in person or online, which has been an eye-opener to many.

For instance, when someone from a predominantly Christian country befriends someone who is Muslim, they may start to see similarities and differences between their beliefs. They might realize that both religions share values like compassion, charity, and devotion despite having different practices and teachings, leading to the realization that no one religion has a monopoly on truth.

This growing awareness has led to what some call religious relativism—the idea that one’s religion is not the absolute truth but rather one of many possible truths (or fallacies). For many, this is a liberating thought. It allows for the possibility that other religions might offer valuable insights and that one’s faith doesn’t have to be in conflict with others.

But religious relativism can also be unsettling. It challenges the notion that one’s beliefs are unique or divinely chosen. It forces people to consider that if they had been born in a different part of the world, they might have been just as devoted to a completely different, potentially making individuals uncomfortable, especially if one’s religion has been a central part of their identity.

As more people recognize the role that geography plays in shaping beliefs, they begin to question their faith. They wonder if they believe what they do simply because they were raised to do so rather than because it is the ultimate truth, pushing them into a period of doubt and reevaluation.

Conversely, for some, this realization strengthens their faith, knowing that they have chosen to follow it despite the existence of other paths.

Globalization has also sparked a global conversation about religion. Social media, international travel, and the availability of information online mean that people from different faiths can engage in dialogue like never before.

Furthermore, people coming from parts of the world where disbelief is seen as an illogical position have met people who were content with their non-religion.

As the world continues to become more interconnected, it’s likely that the trend of questioning religion as an accident of geography will spread. Future generations will grow up with an even greater awareness of the diversity of beliefs around the world and the fact that there is no evidence to suggest one religion is supported by stronger evidence than the other.

Globalization is helping people see that their religion, once taught as absolute truth in childhood, is more of an accident of geography, helping them realize there is no good reason to choose one religion over the other on a factual basis.

Some see science as the true enemy of religion, overlooking the fact that globalization is an infinitely more formidable foe of faith.