Religion Analysis

In our modern society we are all “victims” of globalization. The drastic changes introduced into our society have sparked a new generation of new traditions and customs. In Kwame Anthony Appiah’s article “The Case for Contamination” he states how globalization is becoming a rapid out come of our ever so fast growing population. We are beginning to integrate international ideals into our own and as a result, diversity and tolerance to new norms are becoming more evident.
In Appiah’s article we can see many key points dealing with not only religion, but also the culture globalization that engulfs a majority of our lives. I agree with Appiah, because I too believe that globalization is a generally a good thing. People may argue that these culture-to-culture integrations have the exact opposite effect of what Appiah mentioned in his article, stating that these culture-to-culture integrations would actually bring down diversity. The oppositions state that these integrations would lead to all cultures becoming relatively the same due to the simple fact that they would all be practicing the same things and sharing the same beliefs. My response to these counterarguments is that no whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The most evident examples of this can be seen through many of our daily activities. Those of us who work or attend school on a daily basis know the meaning of diversity and integration. At times we find ourselves partnered with people, doing group projects or just working on a final assessment at work. These group projects are meant to take multiple people and combine them so that the final product is a contribution of all group members. These contributions are the result of each individual completing a single task that they find themselves superior in, to others. The products of these works are thus no greater than the sum of its parts, in this case, the group members. As we notice when these works are completed that no one group has the same outcome. They took the best from each individual that was in the group and produced a well though out product. Much like in these globalized cultures, we take the best from each culture and make it our own. Still believing what we always have believed, just fine tuning and perfecting the way we go about practicing it, or dealing with certain situation. “Preserving a culture from outside influence is one thing, but preserving a lifestyle in which many people don't have access to clean water and thus have to spend several hours every day devoted to fetching water just because it is original is counterproductive (Miriam, 2011).” Technology is the worlds greatest invention and it can also be mans worst. If certain technologies are abused then there is no point of having them integrated into cultures where there is no need for them to begin with. This will just prove that cultures can’t incorporate themselves with other cultures and thus not retain their original traits. “As Appiah described in his article, the point of globalization is not to substitute the original traditions of the culture, but for the people of that culture to adapt to new influences and to take what best suits that societies needs (Dixon, 2011).” The negative responses to Appiah’s essay are mostly due to the religious aspect of that culture, meaning the main reason they are opposed to globalization and the introduction of technologies, even though Appiah strongly believes that it will bring good, is because their religion tells them otherwise. Religion is a universal language, a sometimes misunderstood language, but nonetheless seen through out the world as one of the main pillars in any formation of a society.
I agree with Kwame Anthony Appiah’s view entirely. As mentioned in the group’s discussion I do have my own traditions, but they have become a mix between the different cultures I have experienced. I don’t believe it is necessary for someone or a group to conform to societies norms and practice the same traditions. Instead we involuntarily and unconsciously adapt to the environment around us. Our modern society is becoming more acceptable and norms are constantly changing. I agree with the author in the sense that all this change isn’t necessarily bad. It allows for new traditions and new customs. Obviously, that this also means that other people should be acceptable to older preserved traditions. Globalization is a change agent; it clears the path of the old and makes way for the new, bringing new traditions, new technologies and new experiences we can all relate too.

Works cited

Appiah Anthony, Kwame “The Case for Contamination” The New York Times January 1,
2006

Dixon, Will Critical Analysis: The Case for Contamination” blogspot.html Web.
October 15, 2011

Miriam “Critical Analysis – “The case for Contamination”” blospot.html Web.
October 10, 2011