Chapter 6 Religion Issue 2: Variations in Distribution of Religions

Play Video Carl Sagan on Religion 1) According to Carl Sagan, man is ego-centric, how is this evidenced in the video? 2) Does Carl Sagan believe in God? 3) According to Carl Sagan, humans developed “God” for what purpose(s)? a. Parent figure b. Order out of Chaos c. Egocentrism d. A,B, and C e. None of the Above

Origin of Religions Universalizing religions have precise places of origin, based on events in the life of a man. Ethnic religions have unknown or unclear origins, not tied to single historical individuals. *Note: All three Universalizing religions originated in Asia (Southwest Asia and South Asia)

Origin of Other Universalizing Religions The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, traveled widely through South Asia around 500 years ago preaching his new faith, and many people became his Sikhs, which is the Hindi word for disciples. When it was established in Iran during the nineteenth century, Bahá’l provoked strong opposition from Shiite Muslims. The Bãb was executed in 1850, as were 20,000 of his followers.

Origin of Islam Islam traces their story to the same narrative as Judaism and Christianity. All three religions consider Adam to have been the first man and Abraham to have been one of his descendents. Jews and Christians trace their story through Abraham’s original wife and son, Sarah and Isaac. Muslims trace their story through his second wife and son, Hagar and Ishmael…Muhammad is a descendant of Ishmael.

Origin of Hinduism, an Ethnic Religion Unlike the universalizing religions, Hinduism did not originate with a specific founder. Hinduism existed prior to recorded history. Aryan tribes from Central Asia invaded India about 1400 B.C. and brought their religion. Centuries of intermingling with the Dravidians already living in the area modified their religious beliefs.

Diffusion of Christianity Fig. 6-5: Christianity diffused from Palestine through the Roman Empire and continued diffusing through Europe after the fall of Rome. It was later replaced by Islam in much of the Mideast and North Africa. Relocation Diffusion

Diffusion of Islam Fig. 6-6: Islam diffused rapidly and widely from its area of origin in Arabia. It eventually stretched from southeast Asia to West Africa.

Diffusion of Buddhism Fig. 6-7: Buddhism diffused gradually from its origin in northeastern India to Sri Lanka, southeast Asia, and eventually China and Japan.

Mingling of Ethnic and Universalizing Religions Universalizing religions may supplant ethnic religions or mingle with them. Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony, is mostly Roman Catholic, whereas Namibia, a former German colony, is heavily Lutheran. Elsewhere, traditional African religious ideas and practices have been merged with Christianity.

Shintoism and Buddhism in Japan Fig. 6-8: Since Japanese can be both Shinto and *Buddhist, there are many areas in Japan where over two-thirds of the population are both Shinto and Buddhist. *Note: Adherents of Buddhism are also likely to believe in other religions simultaneously.

The Calendar An ethnic religion typically has holidays based on the distinctive physical geography of the homeland. In universalizing religions, major holidays relate to events in the life of the founder rather than to the changing seasons of one particular place. A prominent feature of ethnic religions is celebration of the seasons. Rituals are performed to pray for favorable environmental conditions or to give thanks for past success.

Holy Places For an ethnic religion holy places derive from the distinctive physical environment of its hearth, such as mountains, rivers, or rock formations. A universalizing religion endows with holiness cities and other places associated with the founder’s life. Making a pilgrimage to these holy places is incorporated into the rituals of some universalizing and ethnic religions.

Sikhism’s most holy structure, the Darbar Sahib, or Golden Temple Militant Sikhs used the Golden Temple as a base for launching attacks in support of greater autonomy during the 1980s.

Judaism’s Western Wall, or Wailing Wall This wall is the remains of the great Jewish temple, which had stood for close to 500 years. It is thought by Jews to be the most sacred of places, because the temple itself was thought to be the place where God resided on earth.

Islam’s The Kaaba This building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the most sacred site in Islam. It is towards the Kaaba which all Muslims around the world face during prayer, no matter where they are.

Baha’i Houses of Worship One Baha’I House of Worship in Wilemette, Illinois, and another called a Lotus temple in New Delhi, India. On the right, a picture of the Shrine of the Bab located in Haifa, Israel.

Christianity’s Church of the Sepulchre The site is where the New Testament says that Jesus was crucified and is said to also contain the place where Jesus was buried (the sepulchre).

Buddhism’s Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya, India. The site where Buddha attained Nirvana under the Bodhi Tree.

Mount Kailash, Tibet In Hindu religion, the summit is considered to be the home of Lord Shiva. There have been no recorded attempts to climb Mount Kailash; it is considered off limits to climbers in deference to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.

Play Video History of Religions

Issue 2 Quiz 1. Which of the following religions does NOT trace its origins to the patriarch Abraham? a. Judaism b. Islam c. Hinduism d. Christianity 2. Where are the hearths of the three largest universalizing religions all located? a. Asia b. Europe c. Africa d. North America

Issue 2 Quiz 1. Which ethnic religion existed prior to recorded history? a. Hinduism b. Buddhism c. Shintoism d. Daoism 2. Which type of religion can be traced to the actions and teachings of a man? a. Ethnic b. Universalizing c. Anthrocentrism d. Monotheistic