THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS MISSIONARIES IN THE GLOBAL SPREAD OF CIVILIZATIONAL IDEALS

Abstract

This study explores the pivotal role religious missionaries have played in the transmission and transformation of civilizational ideals across the globe. From early Buddhist emissaries to Christian evangelists and Islamic da‘wah movements, missionaries have historically acted as conduits of religious, cultural, educational, and ethical systems. The paper examines how missionary activities contributed to civilizational development by establishing schools, healthcare institutions, moral frameworks, and legal traditions rooted in religious doctrines. Through historical examples and comparative analysis, the study demonstrates that missionary endeavors have often intersected with colonial expansion and cultural exchange, thereby influencing social structures and value systems. The research concludes that while missionary work was often religiously motivated, it inadvertently catalyzed broader civilizational transformations.