Why do Religions Organize Space in Distinctive Patterns? Chapter 6 Key issue 3 Why do Religions Organize Space in Distinctive Patterns?

How each religion distributes these elements depends on its beliefs. Every religion organizes space in its own way, from distinctive houses of worship to varying methods of disposing of the dead. How each religion distributes these elements depends on its beliefs.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES Houses of worship are important because they are seen as SACRED SPACES, an environment imbued with the spirit of God. Attendance at a COLLECTIVE SERVICE is considered very important to Christians.

No single architectural style dominates in Christianity; each denomination has its own style, which vary by region.

CATHOLIC houses of worship are generally very elaborate, representing the power and wealth of the Church.

They are divided between CHURCHES and CATHEDRALS. Cathedrals are the central building of a DIOCESE and are administered by a BISHOP.

Usually because they largely rely on the goodwill of their congregation, the design of most protestant churches reflects the economic status/size of the community they serve.

Muslim Mosques Space for community assembly, not specifically viewed as a sanctified place - congregants are sacred, not the building.

All prayer is in Islam is undertaken while facing Mecca (salat); small rugs in mosques are laid out in order to facilitate this.

Distinctive feature is a minaret, a tower where a man known as a muezzin summons people to worship.

The two largest mosques in the world are in Mecca and Medina, respectively

Wealthy benefactors in the Middle East have been building massive new mosques to prove meet their Zakat requirements and to prove their religiosity.

SHEIKH ZAYED MOSQUE - DUBAI

Contain relics believed to be a portion of Buddha’s body or clothing. Buddhist Pagodas Contain relics believed to be a portion of Buddha’s body or clothing. Not just one building; usually includes tall, many-tiered towers AND surrounding gardens.

Not designed for congregational worship; prayer is an individual act in Buddhism.

The central building of the SIKH faith is the GOLDEN TEMPLE AT AMRITSAR.

The Sikh holy book – the Guru Granth Sahib- is held inside the Golden Temple.

Sikh temples show influence from both Hindu and Muslim places of worship.

Sacred PLACES in Universalizing Religions

Cities and places associated with the founder’s life are endowed with holiness.

Some universalizing faiths often call upon adherents to complete PILGRIMAGES, or trips to sacred destinations. This is important in both Islam and Buddhism.

Buddhist pilgrimage is focused on tracing the path of the Buddha; it involves visiting eight holy sites in India and Nepal.

Islamic pilgrimage, called the Hajj, is a requirement for all able Muslims to complete in their lifetime.

Sacred SPACES in ETHNIC RELIGIONS

These forces are often associated with gods or spirits. Ethnic religions are closely tied to the physical geography of their hearth, often focused on RESOURCES like water and the harvest. These forces are often associated with gods or spirits.

Hinduism is closely tied to physical geography of India; the holiest places are riverbanks and coastlines.

Hindus believe that they achieve purification by bathing in holy water, like the Ganges.

HOLIDAYS Ethnic Religion Universalizing Religion Holidays closely aligned with natural events and physical geography of the homeland. Celebration of seasons and harvests Universalizing Religion Major holidays relate to events in the life of the founder.

Solstice LONGEST (Summer) & SHORTEST (winter) days of the year. Special significance in some ethnic religions. Stonehenge is a prominent remnant of a pagan structure dedicated to the Solstice.

Disposing of the Dead Burial Christians, Muslims, and Jews typically bury the deceased in designated areas called cemeteries. Each has their own rites for preparing a body for burial.

RELIGIOUS TOPONYMS Roman Catholics frequently give religious place names to settlements; visible in the U.S. Southwest and Quebec

Administration of Space Hierarchical Religions Organize territory into administrative units; the faiths are rigidly ordered. Leaders are accountable to someone higher-up in the chain of command. Roman Catholic Church is the best example, but some PROTESTANT denominations are hierarchical, like Episcopalians and Methodists. Islam Everyone is expected to participate in the rituals and is encouraged to pray privately.

PRIEST BISHOP ARCHBISHOP POPE (from ‘Pontiff,’ or BRIDGE) CATHOLIC HEIRARCHY OF POWER (bottom to top) PRIEST Presides over CONGREGATION > BISHOP Presides over DIOCESE ARCHBISHOP Presides over ARCHDIOCESE POPE (from ‘Pontiff,’ or BRIDGE)

No religious hierarchy No formal territorial organization Locally Autonomous Religions No religious hierarchy No formal territorial organization Many local forms HINDUISM, JUDAISM and most PROTESTANT denominations