ABSTRACT
As the march of globalisation converts, or appears to convert, most, if not all, participating societies into plural entities, the reputation of religion in the minds of democratic citizens all over the world is rapidly becoming, or has already become, tarnished. Popular cynicism regarding the role of religion as a force for locating and engaging a common good has flourished, mediated through global news networks, popular cinema and everyday texts and experiences. Religion is now perceived as the viscous locus around which the discussions of parochial forces that appear to impede globalisation coalesce. Given this popular perception, it is important to critically interrogate the role of religion in contemporary society, and to examine the intersection between religion and globalisation more thoroughly (Tilly 2005).
