Beyond World Religions: The Resurgence of Indigenous Religions and the Reconfiguration of the Global Religious Landscape

The global religious landscape is undergoing significant transformation. While the institutional dominance of major religions is increasingly challenged by secularization, declining religious affiliation, and growing religious diversity, indigenous religions and local spiritual traditions are gaining renewed visibility through cultural revitalization, the recognition of Indigenous rights, and increasing interest in local knowledge systems. These developments challenge the long-standing world religions paradigm by highlighting indigenous religions not as remnants of the past but as dynamic and evolving traditions that contribute to contemporary debates on identity, social justice, environmental sustainability, and cultural resilience. This session invites theoretical and empirical contributions that examine the resurgence of indigenous religions and their implications for understanding religious change, pluralism, and the reconfiguration of the global religious landscape.