Religion Key Issues Where are religions distributed? Why do religions have different distributions - PowerPoint Presentation

Religion Key IssuesWhere are religions distributed?Why do religions have different distributionsConcerned with the regional distribution of different religions and the resulting potential for conflict Why do some religions have widespread distribution and others are tightly distributed?Religions modify the landscape

Key Issue #1 Where are Religions Distributed? 2 types of religionsUniversalizing; attempts to be global, appeal to all people 62% of world’s populationEthnic; appeals to primarily one group of people living in one place24% of world’s population

Universalizing Religions ChristianityIslamBuddhismAll 3 are divided into; branches; large fundamental division within a religionDenominations; a division of a branch that unites a number of local congregations in a single administrative bodySects; relatively small group that has broken away from an established denomination

Christianity More than 2 billion people, most widespreadNorth and South America (90% of pop), Europe, Australia, some AfricaBranchesRoman Catholic; 52%, SW and E Europe, LA, NAProtestant; 21%, NW Europe, NAEastern Orthodox; 10%, E and SE Europe

Islam 1.3 Billion people, Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia½ live in Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and IndiaCore of Islamic beliefs are 5 Pillars of Faith1. There is only one God and it is Allah2. prayer 5 times a day facing the city of Mekkah3. Alms; gives generously to charity4. Fasting; month of Ramadan5. Pilgrimage; must go to Mekkah once in their life

Islam BranchesSunni; 83% Indonesia has the largest numbersShiite; 16% - 30% of all Shiites live in Iran (90%), Pakistan and IraqSunni Shia divideGrowth of Islam can be seen due to immigration

Buddhism 400 million – China, South Asia4 Nobel TruthsAll living being must endure sufferingRebirthGoal is to reach NirvanaNirvana is achieved through an Eightfold Path; rightness of belief, resolve, speech, action, livelihood, effort, thought, and meditation

Buddhism BranchesMahayana; 56% China, Japan, KoreaTheravada; 38% Cambodia, LaosTantrayana; 6% Tibet and MongoliaDiffers from others because someone can be both a Buddhist believer and a believer in other Eastern Religions

Origin of Universalizing religions ChristianityJesus died in Jerusalem around 30 AD; Teachings are found in the Bible; Referred to as Christ (Messiah); Died for humanity’s sinsRoman Catholic = Pope ; Eastern Orthodox = PatriarchHearth in Palestine, Southwest AsiaIslamMuhammad was born in Mecca 570 AD; teachings are in the Quran CaliphHearth in Southwest AsiaBuddhismSiddhartha Gautama 563 BC Nepal; Buddha (awakened or enlightened oneHearth in North Eastern India

Other Universalizing Religions Sikhism; 25 million, South Asia in India and PakistanGod is the one being or creator; who rules the universe by divine will. Only God is perfect, but people have the capacity for continual movement towards perfectionBaha’i; 8 million, dispersed through Africa and AsiaOvercome the disunity of religions and establish a universal faith through abolition of racial , class, and religious prejudice

Ethnic Religions More clustered distributionHinduism; 860 million, 3rd largest religion97% are in IndiaBelieve that it is up to the individual to decide what is the best way to worship GodPath of; Knowledge, renunciation, devotion, actionno bookRigid caste system – 4 main groups and untouchablesHindu Temples are small, housing shrines

Ethnic Religions JudaismEarliest of the three monotheistic religionsRomans forced the Diaspora – Spreading of Jewish peopleSettled through Europe – Forced to live in ghettosAfter Holocaust many migrated back to Israel

Other Ethnic Religions ConfucianismChina; stresses public service, behaving properly, and ancestor worshipDaoismBalance of all things, emphasis on the mystical, harmony with natureShintoismAncient Nature based Japanese religionAnimism – Everything has a living spirit

Origins of Hinduism and Ethnic Religions Hinduism6th Century BCIndia

Why do religions have different distributions? Universalizing origins have a precise place of origin based on events in the life of a manEthnic religions have unknown or unclear origins, not tied to a single historic individual

Diffusion of Religions Universalizing Spread of religionsPg. 196All the Hearths are in AsiaChristianity (pg 197)Combination of relocation diffusion and expansion diffusion; hierarchical and contagious Missionaries, Key leaders, trade, militaryLatin America = Roman Catholic from Spain; North America =Protestant from England, Migration of Irish

Diffusion of Religions Islam (pg 197)Armies Africa, Asia, EuropeRelocation diffusion (missionaries)Buddhism (pg 198)Emperor became Buddhist and then sent out missionariesTrade routs (China)Permeable barrier

Lack of Diffusion in Ethnic Religions Lack missionariesMingling of ethnic and universalizing religionsJudaism exceptionDiaspora and migration

Holy Places Universalizing religionsBuddhistShrines; city of birth; area where he reached perfect wisdom; tree he sat under; where he gave his 1st sermon; where he died; areas that miracles were practicedIslamCities associated with Mohammad; Mecca- birthplace, Medina- tomb and where it gained steam; al-Ka’ba – built by Abraham; mosques; hajjEthnic ReligionsRiverbanks and coastlines, Mt. Kailas, Ganges River,

Places of Worship Christian – ChurchesMuslim – MosquesHindu – TemplesBuddhist and Shintoist – PagodasBaha’i – house of worship

Sacred Space BurialChristians, Muslims, Jews = CemeteryHindu = cremation Religious settlementsUtopian settlements; religion in every part of lifeEarly settlersReligious Place NamesToponyms; place names –ex – pg. 207

Why do territorial Conflicts Arise? Taliban vs. Western ValuesTaliban (religious student)Imposed strict laws when in power; men beaten for shaving beard, stoned for adultery, thieves hands cut off, women wearing nail polish had fingers cut offBelieved they were called on by Allah to purge Afghanistan of sin and violenceBanned “Western, non-Islamic leisure activities; music, kites, tv, internet, sports

Why do territorial Conflicts Arise? Hinduism vs. Social EqualityRigid caste system: hierarchy assigned based on Hindu religion4 castes; Brahmans – priests and top administrators, Kshatriyas – warriors, Vaisyas – merchants, Shudras – agricultural workers and artisans Below them were untouchables; did work considered too dirty for other castes.

Religious Wars in Ireland Republic of Ireland 92% Roman Catholic1/6 of the Island is part of the United Kingdom 58% Protestant and 42% Roman CatholicPoor economic conditions6 countries voted to remain a part of the UKDiscrimination of Roman Catholics by Protestants exist throughout the society often turning violentIRA – militant group dedicated to achieve national unity by whatever means necessary

Religious Wars in the Middle East Crusades – Christians vs. MuslimsJews vs. Muslims in PalestineRead pages 216-220 for a better look at conflicts