UNIT 3: CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY Religious Conflict Session 10

LEARNING TARGETS Define inter-faith and intra-faith conflict Identify the major causes of religious conflict Discuss the history behind the Israeli/Palestinian conflict Identify other major religious conflicts worldwide. SESSION 10 Religious Conflict

Conflict can occur for any number of reasons both between religions and within the same religion (Intra-faith or Interfaith) Due to the nature of religion these conflicts can exist for a long time and have little chance for lasting compromise. Causes of Religious Conflict: Doctrinal Differences: When religions, branches, denominations and disagree over what is the true religion and may deem the other side heretical Territorial Dispute: When religions claim the same territory or expand into a territory controlled by another religion Religion and Government: People who prefer a theocracy (religion and government as one) or a secular government (religion and government are separate) Religion and Ideology: During the Cold War and in Communist countries today, religious activities were discouraged due to the perceived threat to the state… “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world…It is the opium of the people.” Karl Marx Religion and Social Change: The views of human equality that are diffusing with Western popular culture through globalization can cause friction with very conservative societies and even meet violent resistance. Causes of Religious Conflict Session 10

Article: Religious Conflict on the Rise As a class we will read an article and then discuss Religious Conflict Session 10

Jews, Christians, and Muslims have fought for over 2,000 yrs for small piece of land and control over the city of Jerusalem Jews and Muslim Palestinians claim historical and spiritual tie to land through the patriarch Abraham Isaac and Ishmael The Romans removed the Jews and dispersed them throughout Europe, during which point the population remaining largely converted to Islam centuries later By the 20 th century, growing anti-Semitism, the Balfour Declaration and finally the events of the Holocaust opened the door for Jewish return (Zionism) 1948 Israel recognized by UN, but no state of Palestine, creating a refugee crisis after warfare breaks out between the two sides Three subsequent wars are fought by Arab nations against Israel in ’56, ’67, ’73…each time Israel wins and expands into more land (West Bank, Golan Heights, etc.) Various attempts at peace have been thwarted by radicals on both sides including assassinations, bombings, rocket fire and invasions Israel-Palestine Conflict Session 10

Watch the video write down 5 questions or comments dealing with the Arab and Israeli conflict still going on Find the link to the video to watch at home on Vision Video: Promised Land Israel-Palestine Conflict Session 10

Check for Understanding: Student Discussion What is the difference between and inter-faith and an intra-faith conflict? Which are more common? What are the main causes for religious conflict in the world today? What is the history behind the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? What were the major events that have led to the situation today?

Activity: Other Global Religious Conflict In the computer lab, research other major religious conflicts and fill out the graphic organizer provided… Conflicts : Cyprus East Timor India (Kashmir) Iraq Kosovo Myanmar Nigeria Northern Ireland Pakistan Philippines Sri Lanka Sudan Syria Thailand Tibet (China) Religious Conflicts Session 10

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