Geography of Religion

Do Now On a piece of Notebook Paper (NBP,) to be turned in, Please write a paragraph response to the following question. Should students learn about religion? Why or why not? You must give three reasons why you agree or disagree. Use ONLY Complete Sentences

Introduction to Religion Religion is a belief system and a set of practices that recognizes the existence of a power higher than humans. Powerful influence on daily life.

Classifying Religions Proselytic religions actively seek new members and aim to convert all humankind. Ethnic religions are identified with a particular ethnic or tribal group and do not seek converts.

Classifying Religions Monotheistic religions believe in only one god and may expressly forbid the worship of other gods or spirits. Polytheistic religions believe there are many gods.

Classifying Religions Syncretic religions combine elements of multiple belief systems. Orthodox religions emphasize purity of faith and are not open to blending with other religious ideas. Fundamentalism is a movement to return to the founding principles of a religion.

Judaism, Christianity, & Islam All developed among the Semitic-speaking people of the deserts of the Middle East. Judaism: 4,000 years ago Christianity: 2,000 years ago Islam: 1,300 years ago Share a common hearth in southwestern Asia.

Judaism First monotheistic religion. Spread widely and rapidly. Belief in ONE god. Spread widely and rapidly. Numerically small. Does NOT seek converts. Holy book is called the Torah. Widely dispersed throughout the world. Approximately 13 million adherents.

Judaism Three major branches: ORTHODOX: Traditionalists who observe most ceremonial laws and dietary restrictions. CONSERVATIVE: Do not hold the importance of a Jewish political state, but emphasize the historical and religious aspects of Judaism. REFORM: Liberal wing; culture and race oriented with little consensus on doctrinal or religious belief.

Judaism Origin and Diffusion Ethnic Religion (origins of Christianity) Diaspora: In 70 A.D., Romans forced Jews to disperse throughout the world. Ghetto: During the Middle Ages, a neighborhood in a city set up by law to be inhabited only by Jews. Judaism

Judaism Basic Precepts Belief in One God Torah - original 5 chapters of Bible Prophecy of Moses Coming of the Messiah still to come Atonement accomplished by sacrifices, penitence & good deeds

Jewish homeland Created 1948 from a British mandate from Palestine. Some people do not recognize its existence. Long history of conflict with Arabs, particularly Palestinians. Capital is Jerusalem, considered to be a holy place for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jewish homeland

Christianity Monotheistic. Evolved from Judaism. Moved east and south of its hearth area. Routinely spread through force. European contact with the “New World” brought Christianity. World’s largest religion. Segmented into three separate churches: Catholics Protestants Eastern Christians

Christianity Catholicism - largest branch Headed by the Pope direct link to God Ceremonial - 7 sacraments baptism, marriage, Eucharist, etc. Very traditional Christianity

Christianity Protestantism - (1517) Reformation era Martin Luther No Pope needed individual has direct link to God Grace through faith rather than sacraments forgiveness for sins through indiv. prayers Spread though N. Europe and England arose same time as 1466 Gutenberg Bible and the printing press Martin Luther

Christianity Eastern Orthodoxy - 5th Century split Rivalry between Pope and Patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul) Rome remained center for Roman Catholicism Rejected Roman Catholicism doctrine by 1054 officially split National Churches Russian, Greek, Serbian Orthodox, etc. Christianity

Islam Spread in a manner similar to Christianity. Proselytic faith. Adherents are known as Muslims. Worship one god, called Allah. Founded by the prophet Muhammad. Holy book is the Qur’an (or Koran). Basis for sharia, or holy law. Divided into two major groups: Shiite & Sunni Fastest growing world religion

Islam Basic Precepts Submission to the will of God (Allah) Lineage - Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, & Mohammed (different lineage) Holy Book - Koran - built on Old Testament Five (5) pillars of faith

5 Pillars of Faith Creed: Prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca “There is no God but Allah” Prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca Giving to the poor Month of Rammadan Pilgrimage to Mecca

Hinduism First religion to emerge (about 4,000 years ago). 800 million adherents. Closely tied to Indian culture. One supreme god: Brahman. Many manifestations are worshipped. Highly tolerant of other religions. Belief in reincarnation. Forms of worship vary regionally.

Buddhism Appeared around 500 B.C. Proselytic. Evolved from Hinduism as a reform religion. Most widespread religion in Asia. Contains several regional forms: Tibetan Buddhism Japanese Buddhism

Buddhism Four noble truths: Enlightenment is known as nirvana. Life is full of suffering. Desire is the cause of this suffering. Cessation of suffering comes with the quelling of desire. Proper conduct and meditation permits the individual to overcome desire. Enlightenment is known as nirvana. Individuals who achieve nirvana are known as Buddhas.

Comparing Key Points: Focus on Judaism, Christianity, & Islam ASSIGNMENTS: 1. Comparison of Monotheistic Religions (Grid) 2. Venn Diagram Must list at least 3 characteristics in each section.

Cultural Interaction

Religion & the Economy Religion can guide commerce Determine what crops are grown Foods and beverages consumed Types of employment

Religious Pilgrimage Pilgrimages are journeys to sacred places. Particularly important to follows of Islam, Hinduism, Shintoism, and Roman Catholocism.

Review Quiz Questions Your group must create 10 questions from the religion unit. Your questions should: Vary in difficulty. You should have at least a few “easy” questions and a few “hard” questions. Vary in type. You should ask a combination of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions. Vary in content. You should cover all of the lectures and assigned readings equally. Type your questions and save them to the flash drive. Put a * next to the correct answer for each question. Label with all group members’ names.

Check - Up 1. Define religion. 2. Identify one proselytic religion. Write the following answers on the same page as your Do Now. 1. Define religion. 2. Identify one proselytic religion. 3. What is the most widely practiced religion in the world? 4. How does religion relate to the study of human geography?