Why do religions organize space in distinctive patterns?

Religious buildings No matter what religion, until recently churches, etc. were the tallest, most elaborate buildings Impact of religion on the landscape is profound, because many people believe life on Earth should be spent in the service of God

Religious Buildings May be places for people to worship or structures to house religious artifacts Sacred structures are “anchors” of a faith.

Christian Churches Word church derives from Greek meaning lord, master, and power. Church is more critical in Christianity than other religions, because it is an expression of religious principles, and an environment created in the image of God. Collective worship in a church is considered very important

Christian Churches Built with a variety of materials, depending on what was available locally Churches are extremely expensive to design, build, and maintain Early churches modled after bascilicas, Roman buildings for public assembly Typically central hall and 2 side aisles

Christian Churches Raised alter symbolizes hill of Calvary where Jesus was crucified Gothic churches’ floor plan in form of cross Orthodox- Basilica- most ornate RC- Church or Cathedral- in the middle Protestant- Church or megachurch- least ornate

Eastern Orthodox

Catholic

Protestant

Notre Dame

Notre dame bascilica of Montreal

Islamic Mosque Unlike a church, a Mosque is not viewed as a sanctified place but as a location for the community to worship Organized around a central courtyard. Pulpit faces Mecca Minaret- a tower from which a muzzan summons people to worship

Brunei

Hindu Temples Sacred structures for collective worship are relatively unimportant Temples are built to house shrines for gods instead of community worship Wealthy people or groups of people maintain the temples Contains a small, dimly lit room containing a sacred artifact or image

Buddhist/Taoist/Shinto Pagodas Tall, many sided towers, arranged in a series of tiers, balconies, and slanting roofs Pagodas contain relics that were once part of Buddha’s body or clothing Not designed for congregational worship

Baha’i Wilmette, Illinois Open to adherents of all religions, services include scriptures from various religions

Sacred space- disposing of dead Jews, Christians, Muslims bury dead in a cemetery- often doubles as a park Early Christians worshipped and buried their dead in catacombs- underground passages. Some Christians bury dead w/ feet toward Jerusalem Egyptians buried dead on West side of river, lived on E. side

Sacred space- disposing of dead Hindus practice cremation- burning the dead- so did Europeans until Christianity Zoroastrians expose the dead to birds and animals- Tibetan Buddhists