Colonization and Religion in the Third World discusses how colonialism impacted religion in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. European powers colonized these areas beginning in the 15th century. Christian missionaries accompanied colonists and played a major role in spreading Christianity. They established missions and converted indigenous populations in places like Spanish America, India, Vietnam, and Southern Africa. However, colonization also threatened traditional religions. Sociological perspectives note how colonial governments and Christian missions were intertwined and could exploit local populations economically and influence their religions.

1. Colonization and
Religion in the Third
World
Course Name: Sociology of Religion
Course No: 3211
Submitted By
Tanmay Mondal
ID: 151635
3rd
year 2nd
tearm
Sociology Discipline
Khulna University

2. Introduction
 Colonization is a process by which a central system of power dominates the
surrounding land and its components.
 In many settle colonies, western European settlers formed a large majority of
the population. Example include the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand.
These colonies were occasionally called ‘neo- Europes’
 Colonialism is a phenomenon that continents such as Africa and Asia in
particular experienced from hands of Europeans major powers and a great
religious change occurred during that time with the colonization.

3. Third world, colonization and religion
 The term Third World has been used interchangeably with the least
developed countries, the Global South, and developing countries.
 Colonialism is defined as, “The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial
political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and
exploiting it economically.” (Oxford English Dictionary)
 System of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-
lasting modes and motivation among men by formulating conceptions of a
general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura
of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.

4. Age of Discovery
 During the Age of Discovery, the Catholic Church inaugurated a major effort
to spread Christianity in the New World and to convert the Native
Americans and other indigenous people.

5. European colonies all over the world

6. Role of missionaries in spread of
Religion
 When people converted to Christianity in Europe, they wanted to share their
experience with others; they wanted others to adopt Christianity as well.
 Jesus Christ commanded his followers to, 'Go into all the world and preach the
Gospel to every creature.' Since the time of Christ, this has been accomplished
through missionary activity.
 During the age of discovery European discovered many new lands and their
missionaries started to spread the Christianity among the native peoples.

7. Spanish missionaries
 After the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492.The Spanish firmly
believed they had the right to conquer and colonize the New World to bring
Christianity to the Native Americans.
 Priests traveling alone or in small groups would ride out to distant Native
American villages and preach the gospel for a few days. Language as always
was a barrier, but usually, the curious natives would listen politely to what the
priests had to say.

8. Spanish missionaries
 When the teaching was done and the priest had taught the Native American
who Jesus was and how to perform baptism, the priest would move on to the
next village

9. Colonies in Asia and spread of Religion
 Christian missionaries had mixed success in the Far East. In China there was
limited success in some places.
 In India, the British missionaries were often in conflict with British
administrators and businessmen.
 In French-controlled Vietnam, and a Japanese-controlled Korea, the Christian
missionaries had significant success in terms of membership.

10. Colonies in Asia and spread of Religion
 In India, the British missionaries were often in conflict with British
administrators and businessmen. Missionaries had moderate success among
the scheduled classes.

11. Colonies in Africa and spread of Religion
 Christian evangelists were intimately involved in the colonial process in
southern Africa. The Portuguese sent missions into Africa.

12. Sociological Perspective
 John Stuart Mill, a life-long employee of the British East India Company,
recognized that despotic government by a foreign people could lead to
injustice and economic exploitation and influence on their religion.
 For Marx, “‘religious sentiments’ is itself a social product” (Theses on
Feuerbach).

13. Sociological Perspective
 Hence Davis argues that Christianity has always been political, and that “The
early Christians were a movement of the marginalized and underprivileged”
against the prevailing social order.
 Moving this argument, unlike slavery and colonialism which required the use
of brutal force of military might.

14. Conclusion
 The impact of colonization was very important in many sectors like education,
literature’ science, transport etc. Throughout the world the spreads of
Christianity during the medieval period was play a great role. But the ancient
religion of native people also extinct as the new people started to convert them
in their own religion.

15. References
 Meador, Jake. "Cosmetic Christianity and the Problem of Colonialism –
Responding to Brian McLaren". Retrieved 2010-11-17.
 Gerrie ter Haar, James J. Busuttil, eds. (2005). Bridge or barrier: religion,
violence, and visions for peace, Volume 2001. BRILL. p. 125.
 Hastings, Adrian, A World History of Christianity, Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing, 2000, pp 330-349
 Robert D. Woodberry, "The missionary roots of liberal democracy." American
Political Science Review 106#2 (2012): 244-274. [
http://www.hillcountryinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/missionaryrootsofliberald

16. Thank You