[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on Religion and the Modern World
The secularization of the modern world and a higher level of tolerance that resulted after humanity observed the catastrophic results of violent human conflict have meant that religion in the modern world has become more of a matter of choice and less of a legitimizing requirement of the society. Compared to the older times when religion was a matter of concern for the group or the society that influenced an individual’s position within the group or the society, religion today has become more of a private affair.
Religion today has to cope with “pluralism” as the religious monopolies of the past have been overthrown by the highly differentiated influences of advanced capitalism. Whereas, in the past contact with what was alien and different was infrequent, in the world today the process of globalization and advancement in communication technologies has meant that different points of view have become an everyday occurrence. Individuals and recognized authorities around the world have learned to appreciate the point of views of others and find some merit in their thinking.
Whereas some religious and societal structures were designed to keep the followers and members of the group loyal and obedient, these structures are crumbling and falling apart as force is becoming unacceptable as a means to coerce individuals into religious submission. The Roman Catholic faith, Islam and even the Jewish faith along with other religious doctrines had developed methods to prevent their followers from rebelling and it was considered unacceptable to mix with others. However, the destruction that was witnessed by the world as a result of war and conflict along with the human desire for freedom and the will of the indomitable human spirit has meant that individuals are permitted to do as they please without hurting others, while living within the broad value systems of the society......
