Anusha+Prasad+RP+Post+7

Religion in the World Today-Robert Ellwood In his work, Ellwood offers the claim that it is extremely necessary to understand the importance of religion, as it is religion that promotes understanding in the world. To add to this point, Ellwood discusses the presence of various religions in the world today. Today, approximately half of the 7 billion people on this planet belong to two major faiths: Christianity and Islam. Urbanization and colonization combined have made it so that these faiths have expanded around the globe. In terms of Christianity, “many peoples decided that once they could have the Europeans’ faith without their governors or soldiers, they would take to it freely,” and this itself is what has brought about the expansion and presence of the religion. The shift to the southern hemisphere responds to a “current need”, as religion serves as a guide for work ethic as these countries make the switch from rural to urban. Despite the many variations, Christianity has managed to withstand time and adapted to change, brought about by political shift and expansion, while still referring to the bible as its moral compass. Islam is undergoing a revolution in the way Christianity underwent a revolution many years ago. Its large presence guarantees that this revolution will have an impact on the globe. “Religion typically responds by embracing some novelties and rejecting others, trying to define itself sharply and to draw boundaries” and the Qu’ran is serving as that boundary and compass for Islam. It is also serving as a foundation for the rapidly changing mindset of the people. Hinduism has an indirect presence, either through yoga or concepts followed by others such Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. and non-violence. Population increases guarantees that Hinduism will remain a huge presence on the globe. “Likewise, after several wars and revolutions, and the phenomenon known as globalization”, the overall presence of religion and its purpose has increased. Basically, Ellwood is saying  that religion serves a purpose in the world, and while time may change religion, its overall purpose remains the same.


 * **Citation: Ellwood, **Robert.** “Religion in the World Today.” Quest 95.2 (MARCH-APRIL 2007):** ******53-56. 30 May 2014.** **