THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN OR THE KINGDOM ON EARTH – RELIGION AND THE PROCESS OF GLOBALIZATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47054/Keywords:
syncretism, secularization, world religion, freedom, christian anthropologyAbstract
This paper explores the phenomena arising from the complex interplay and multifaceted
relationships between religion and the process of globalization. In comparative - descriptive
manner we examines the mutual impact and relational dynamics between religion and globalization,
analyzing the accompanying societal challenges: syncretism, secularization, homogenization,
“world religion”, versus the genuine freedom of being, the spiritual aspiration toward Truth,
and the authentic values that foster mutual human recognition of diversity, love, and cooperation.
In doing so, the study offers insight into the position of religion, with the accent on Christian antropologie,
within the process of globalization and how contemporary global trends influence the
collective value system, shape traditional practices, form identity, and contribute to the emergence
of current social anomalies and religious doctrines.
References
American Worldview Inventory. (2024). Annual Report. Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian
University.
Arendt, H. (1973). The origins of totalitarianism. Harcourt Brace.
Bauman, Z. (2000). Liquid modernity. Polity Press.
Bauman, Z. (2001). Community: Seeking safety in an insecure world. Polity Press.
Călina, J. (2018). Globalization and religion: A philosophical-theological perspective. Journal for the
Study of Religions and Ideologies, 17(49), 58–71.
Ciocan, C. (2023). Freedom and communion: Orthodox perspectives on modern identity. Studia Universitatis
Babeș-Bolyai Theologia Orthodoxa, 68(1), 45–62.
Gitadaily. (2024). Love and freedom in interfaith dialogue. https://gitadaily.com
Hart, D. B. (2003). The beauty of the infinite: The aesthetics of Christian truth. Eerdmans.
Ilievski, N., &. Ilievska, A (2021). The Concept of Peace and Unity from the Perspective of Orthodox
Christianity. Journal, Religious dialogue and Cooperation, CorpusID:252721177}https://doi.
org/10.1177/036215378701700305
Kurth, J. (2009). Religion and global governance. The Review of Faith & International Affairs, 7(2),
15–21.
Lossky, V. (1957). The mystical theology of the Eastern Church. James Clarke.
Lossky, V. (1974). In the image and likeness of God. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Lossky, V. (2002). Orthodox theology: An introduction. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Makridis, A. (2020). Religious pluralism and the challenge of global identity. Journal of Ecumenical
Studies, 55(1), 88–103.
Marcuse, H. (1969). An essay on liberation. Beacon Press.
Naum, M. S. (2018). Hristijanski identitet. Veljusa: Manastir Vovedenie na Presveta Bogorodica Eleusa.
Onuoha, J., & Odeke, O. (2020). Religion and globalization: Between homogenization and pluralism.
Journal of Globalization Studies, 11(2), 45–59.
Rocha, C. (2024). Religion and freedom in the age of globalization. Religion, State & Society, 52(2),
123–140.
Samajdar, A. (2015). The idea of global religion: Philosophical and sociological reflections. Sociological
Bulletin, 64(2), 236–252.
St. Augustine. (1998). Confessions (H. Chadwick, Trans.). Oxford University Press.
St. Gregory Palamas. (1983). The triads (J. Meyendorff, Ed.; N. Gendle, Trans.). Paulist Press.St. Maximus
the Confessor. (1981). Four hundred chapters on love (G. E. H. Palmer, P. Sherrard, & K. Ware, Trans.).
Faber & Faber.
Taylor, C. (2007). A secular age. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
The Gospel Coalition. (2023). Syncretism: The hidden challenge of contemporary spirituality. https://
www.thegospelcoalition.org
Yannaras, C. (1984). The freedom of morality. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Yannaras, C. (2007). Against religion: The alienation of the ecclesial event. Holy Cross Orthodox Press.
Yoo, T. (2022). Global religion and the problem of freedom. Journal of World Christianity, 12(1), 78–95.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Naum Ilievski
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
