The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography Chapter 6: Religion The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography

Religion A set of beliefs existence of a higher power, spirits or god an explanation of the origins and purpose of humans and their role on earth Which involves rituals, festivals, rites of passage and space (religious landscapes)

The Geography of Religion Ethnic Religions Polytheism Universalizing Religions(proselytic) Monotheism

The Roots of Religion Animism (Shamanism) - the belief that all objects, animals, and beings are “animated” or possess a spirit and a conscious life. Also called shamanism because of the prominence of a Shaman. Such beliefs are common among hunter-gatherers. 10% of Africans follow such traditional ethnic religions. These beliefs are losing ground to Christianity and Islam throughout Africa. Nigerian Shaman

Key Terms Monotheism: existence of only one god. Polytheism: existence of many gods. Cosmogony: A set of religious beliefs concerning the origin of the universe.

Religious Divisions Branch: A large and fundamental division within a religion. Denomination: A division within a branch of a religion. Sect: A relatively small denominational group that has broken away from an established church.

How do Universalizing and Ethnic Religions Differ? Appeal to people everywhere Individual founder (prophet) Message diffused widely (missionaries) Followers distributed widely. Holidays based on events in founder’s life. Ethnic Has meaning in particular place only. Content focused on place and landscape of origin. Followers highly clustered. Holidays based on local climate and agricultural practice. Judaism excepted

World Distribution of Religions Figure 6-3

Distribution of Christians in the United States Figure 6-2

Ethnic Religions Buddhism Hinduism Figure 6-5 Figure 6-4

Religions of the United States

Key Issue 2

Why Do Religions Have Different Distributions? Origin of religions Universalizing: precise origins, tied to a specific founder Christianity Founder: Jesus Location: Palestine Islam Prophet of Islam: Muhammad Location: Saudi Arabia Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama Locatio: Nepal/India

Why Do Religions Have Different Distributions? Origin of religions Ethnic: unclear or unknown origins, not tied to a specific founder Hinduism No clear founder Earliest use of Hinduism = sixth century B.C. Archaeological evidence dating from 2500 B.C.

Diffusion of Universalizing Religions Christianity Diffuses through relocation and expansion diffusion Hierarchical and contagious [expansion] Initial diffusion is relocation diffusion through missionaries Sea trade, Roman Roads Paul of Tarsus responsible for a lot of this Widespread, major diffusion through contagious diffusion People come into direct contact with the believers/disciples

Diffusion of Universalizing Religions Christianity After Rome recognizes Christianity as the official religion, Hierarchical diffusion takes over Roman Emperor converts and demands everyone else convert Relocation diffusion through missionaries and Colonialism [remember chapter 8?] spread Christianity world-wide after the 1500’s Where migrants originate from [their home country] greatly determines the modern-day version of Christianity that is found around the World US Cities: Catholicism [Ireland, E. Europe] Latin America: Spain/Portuguese colonization

Distribution of Christians in the USA South – Mainly Baptist North, West Mainly Catholic Midwestern/central USA Methodist, Lutheran Utah, Idaho, parts Arizona Mormon/Latter Day Saints

Diffusion of Universalizing Religions Islam Spread from Arabia (Saudi Arabia) to Asia, Africa, Europe Spread through conquest [relocation] to most of Middle East/Africa Missionaries and trade to Asia [relocation/contagious] Direct contact with believers [contagious]

Diffusion of Universalizing Religions Buddhism Does not diffuse rapidly Main method of diffusion through the Magadhan Empire [270’s – 230’s BCE] Hierarchical diffusion through conversion of emperor Relocation/contagious diffusion through missionaries Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet all experienced Trade with China, Korea, Japan spreads further

Diffusion of Universalizing Religions Figure 6-6

Critical Thinking What do all three universalizing religions have in common regarding expansion What is unique about Buddhist expansion compared to Islam? Christianity? What is similar about Buddhist and Christian expansion? Do all three have hierarchical expansion? Contagious?

Why Do Religions Have Different Distributions? Limited diffusion of ethnic religions Various reasons exist for ethnic religion not diffusing: They often compete with larger universalizing religions They usually do not have missionaries They are usually fixed to a geographic area The religion is tied to that area only The goal of ethnic religions is not conversion, opposite of universal religions

Why Do Religions Have Different Distributions? The combining of religion: Christianity with African ethnic religions Created distinct versions of Christianity Buddhism with Confucianism in China Buddhism with Shinto in Japan Shintoism took on many of the ‘gods’ of buddhism Ethnic religions can diffuse with migration Only applies to voluntary migration, not forced Only applies when migrating to an area with freedom to practice religion

The Jewish Exception Judaism is practiced almost everywhere due to the diaspora of Jews since the 70’s CE Creation of Israel in 1948 [nation-state] have the jews been back in their original hearth Most Jews lived in Eastern Europe and Southern Europe Jews have often been persecuted throughout history [through association with crucifixion] Were forced to live in ghettos, or area where Jews only were to live by law. Many Jews killed during 30’s-40’s during holocaust Most Jews live in USA or Israel

Holy Places Universal and Ethnic religions are different on what is considered holy: Ethnic is less widespread, many holy places are a part of the physical environment [mt. Sinai in Judaism] Universal religions usually make/call holy places associated with the life of the founder, [Jerusalem with Christians and Muslims] Holy places not related to environment People often make religious journeys, pilgrimages, to these places

Holy Places Holy places In universalizing religions Buddhist shrines Where sermons preached, reached wisdom, attained nirvana Holy places in Islam = associated with the life of Muhammad Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem [in order] Christianity In ethnic religions Holy places in Hinduism = closely tied to the physical geography of India

Cosmogony of Religion The Abrahamic religions: Jewish and Christian both believe the same thing Six days, 7th day of rest, all origins of Universe created Debate on whether it is literal or figurative, given the large amount of evidence against six literal days Christians believe we are to “finish” creation by living our life off the Earth.

Cosmogony of Religion Islam Differences Six days /= six literal days, but “periods” of time 7th day Allah does not “rest” because he is not able to be tired, but merely overseas Creation is not over, but always ongoing Islam does not discount evolution, because it believes Allah is behind everything, so what/how it happens is irrelevant because HE did it/is doing it Muslims believe humans represent God on Earth

Cosmogony of Religion All believe that using the earth’s resources is part of being religious This is because the “creation” is a gift from God/Allah/YAWH

Cosmogony of Religion Confucianism, Daoism Other Ethnic religions: Two forces, yin and yang, makeup the world Yin is typically passive, evil, women, death Yang is light, heaven, good Yin/Yang try to balance each other Disorder and chaos are because of unbalancing Other Ethnic religions: Most believe we are not to totally transform the world to our needs; we should attempt harmony Only a few people have the ability/right to harness the power of the Earth [resources]

Diffusion of Universalizing Religions Figure 6-17

Why Do Religions Have Different Distributions? The calendar In ethnic religions = celebration of the seasons The Jewish calendar The solstice In universalizing religions = celebration of the founder’s life

Why Do Religions Organize Space in Distinctive Ways? Places of worship Many types: Christian churches, Muslim mosques, Hindu temples, Buddhist and Shinto pagodas, Bahá’í houses of worship Figure 6-19

Why Do Religions Organize Space in Distinctive Ways? Sacred space Disposing of the dead Burial Other ways of disposing of the dead Religious settlements Religious place names

Religious Toponyms Figure 6-21

Why Do Religions Organize Space in Distinctive Ways? Administration of space Hierarchical religions Latter-day Saints Roman Catholics Locally autonomous religions Islam Protestant denominations

Roman Catholic Hierarchy in the United States Figure 6-22

Why Do Territorial Conflicts Arise? Religions versus government policies Religion versus social change Taliban and Western values Hinduism and social inequality Caste system Religion versus communism Eastern Orthodoxy and Islam in the Soviet Union Buddhism in Southeast Asia

Why Do Territorial Conflicts Arise? Religion versus religion Fundamentalism Religious wars in Ireland Religious wars in the Middle East Crusades (Christians in Muslim lands) Jews and Muslims in Palestine

Distribution of Protestants in Ireland Figure 6-23

Two Perspectives on Palestine/Israel Figure 6-26

Israel’s “Separation Fence” Figure 6-27

The End. Up next: Ethnicity