Final answer:
Religious beliefs, while they can be connected to ethnic identity in certain contexts, are not a universally major factor in the construction of ethnic identity around the world. Globalization, socioeconomic status, and language are more consistently major influences on ethnic identity construction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors Influencing Ethnic Identity
The construction of ethnic identity around the world is influenced by several factors. However, one option listed does not directly contribute to the construction of ethnic identity. The factors that are known to play a major role in the construction of ethnic identity include globalization, which can impact cultural exchanges and the spread of different ethnicities around the world; socioeconomic status, which often correlates with ethnic groupings and influences social dynamics and access to resources; and language, which is a core component of ethnic identity as it is crucial in the communication of cultural practices, histories, and traditions.
While religious beliefs certainly influence many aspects of life and can be closely tied to ethnicity in certain contexts, it is not a universally major factor in the construction of ethnic identity. In many societies, such as the United States, religion as a marker of identity is not as prevalent except amongst certain groups, reflecting the idea that the influence of religion on ethnic identity can vary widely depending on the region and cultural context.
Therefore, while religious beliefs can be intertwined with ethnic identity, they are not always a major factor in its construction on a global scale compared to the other listed elements.