Religion (Christianity and the Cultural Landscape)

How is Christianity reflected on the Cultural Landscape?

The Cultural Landscape The cultural landscape is the visible expression of human activity in a place. Contains valuable evidence about a culture. Often it involves modification of landscape by human activity. Cultures use, alter, + manipulate landscapes to reflect their identity. It’s what we SEE & what we don’t see. Some of the cultural landscape is not what we build. Most of “built landscape” (things we actually construct) is embedded within the cultural landscape some of built landscape is not part of the cultural landscape

How is religion seen in the cultural landscape? Obvious ways? Sacred sites (places or spaces people infuse with religious meaning) Less obvious ways? Absence of things (liquor stores), certain types of food not being sold (Middle East – no pork; No beef in India. Food taboos)

Christian Churches more critical than in other religions affects landscape Usually tall, centrally located Style reflects cultural influences Catholic= Roman classical styling, Renaissance Art Orthodox = Greek pointed domes, mosaics beliefs Catholic reflect power of faith, authority of church = Gothic Cathedrals veneration of saints, crucifix Protestant = simple, protest against corruption of church, don’t ask saints for intercession, crucifix = idolatry Orthodox cross

Protestant Reformation: 1517; 16th Century in Europe (Germany) Martin Luther fed up with R.C.C. Corrupt leaders + extravagant spending on military, the arts + personal pleasure Corrupt popes - fathering children, pursuing worldly affairs + neglecting spiritual duties. Priests breaking vows (drinking, gambling) Taking $ from poor - Ex. Corrupt practice of selling indulgences (pardons for sins)

Luther’s 95 Theses

Christian Churches more critical than in other religions affects landscape Usually tall, centrally located Style reflects cultural influences Catholic = Roman classical styling, Renaissance Art Orthodox = Greek pointed domes, mosaics beliefs Catholic reflect power of faith, authority of church = Gothic Cathedrals veneration of saints, crucifix Protestant = simple, protest against corruption of church, don’t ask saints for intercession, crucifix = idolatry Orthodox cross availability of building materials

Christianity Disposal of the Dead Calendar Relate to life of Jesus = Universalizing! Easter Christmas But, still connected to Jewish/pagan seasonal holidays Jesus was a Jew Syncretic appeal to win pagan converts Ex. “Christmas” = December 25th Roman “Saturnalia” = gifts, green Scandinavian pagan = yule Differences between branches Catholic use “Gregorian” Orthodox use “Julian” Burial Cemeteries Use valuable land, especially in areas with overpopulation and need for more farmland. Serve as green space in newly industrializing cities reflect religion on the cultural landscape can be repositories of history and culture spaces for memorialization

Administration of space Catholic hierarchy creates “territories” Archdioceses, dioceses, parishes

Other effects on landscape toponyms