the relevance of religion?
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Today, in most parts of the world, people are undergoing unparalleled change, driven by the effects of globalization. We are witnessing the greatest migration of peoples across the globe, nation-states giving way to giant trade blocs and national borders being redefined or erased.
All these factors fundamentally undermine patriotism and national identity.
Under these conditions people's identities and loyalties are increasingly tied to the one constant in their lives: religion — be it one of the traditional, established faiths or otherwise. So much so, they are more likely to put their lives on the line for religion more readily than for any other cause — even killing their own countrymen for it.
This is evident all over the world: Hindus and Muslims in India, Catholics and Protestants in Britain; Muslims and Jews in the Middle East; the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq. Witness the American, British, and French citizens who fought for the Muslim Taliban against their own countries in Afghanistan. People in the West may not appreciate or recognize this "identity crisis" because they have yet to fully experience the wrenching effects of globalization, as others have in the developing world.
Consider today's global immigrants: Where does the identity and allegiance of a new immigrant lie? Nation of birth? Nation of present residence? A giant trade bloc?
This is a crucial question because individual identity is fundamental to how conflicts start. As Stanley Kober says, "Wars begin in people's minds — and are rooted in how they view other people. Put simply, people do not kill people with whom they identify." In a borderless world wrought by continuous instability and change, to what or whom does one identify?
Today, in most parts of the world, people are undergoing unparalleled change, driven by the effects of globalization. We are witnessing the greatest migration of peoples across the globe, nation-states giving way to giant trade blocs and national borders being redefined or erased.
All these factors fundamentally undermine patriotism and national identity.
Under these conditions people's identities and loyalties are increasingly tied to the one constant in their lives: religion — be it one of the traditional, established faiths or otherwise. So much so, they are more likely to put their lives on the line for religion more readily than for any other cause — even killing their own countrymen for it.
This is evident all over the world: Hindus and Muslims in India, Catholics and Protestants in Britain; Muslims and Jews in the Middle East; the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq. Witness the American, British, and French citizens who fought for the Muslim Taliban against their own countries in Afghanistan. People in the West may not appreciate or recognize this "identity crisis" because they have yet to fully experience the wrenching effects of globalization, as others have in the developing world.
Consider today's global immigrants: Where does the identity and allegiance of a new immigrant lie? Nation of birth? Nation of present residence? A giant trade bloc?
This is a crucial question because individual identity is fundamental to how conflicts start. As Stanley Kober says, "Wars begin in people's minds — and are rooted in how they view other people. Put simply, people do not kill people with whom they identify." In a borderless world wrought by continuous instability and change, to what or whom does one identify?
Arun Pereira, The Toronto Star (20 April 2005)
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posted by þΛųL jØŋαŦhΛŋ @ 08:55
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