Globalization: Reconstructing Religious Identities for Development

Abstract:

In an era of nearly unrestricted information flow across territorial borders via technology, long held conservative religious values on the Islamic and Christian divides are being reshaped if not toned down. The point of convergence in shared humanity is therefore emerging despite religious inclinations. Men and women can share space in a bus in traditional Islamic societies, for example in Kenya and Nigeria. Such societies are increasingly recognizing the obvious fact of diversity, but differences should be respected and a critical platform for inclusion in the socio-economic and political processes by these divides is necessary and desirable. Freedom of expression in speech and dress and association is commonly shared on social media platforms and elsewhere without attracting the usual extreme intolerance from conservatives. Spaces for frequency of interaction have increased due to the flow of information and services. As a result, the capacity for tolerance by Muslims and Christians has been expanded in an era of steep competition that must bring many together for access to available space and resources. Religious and political leaders therefore need to leverage on opportunities provided by the forces of globalization to strengthen cooperation between Islam and Christianity for a more peaceful and harmonious world. It is recommended that a conception of religious identity negotiation and reconstruction necessary for development must be sensitive to social contexts, structural factors and power – relations.