AP Human Geography

What is religion? Religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people. Religion is human beings' relation to the things that they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine. Humans often get their sense of purpose and moral values from religion. Religious beliefs are found in virtually every society throughout human history. Geographers study the conflict that arises between religions and also religious influence on cultural landscape.

Universalizing vs. Ethnic Religions Universalizing Ethnic Global Appeals to all people Location does not matter Ex. Christianity, Buddhism, Islam Local Appeals to one group of people in one place Ex. Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shinto

Mono vs. Poly Theism Monotheism Polytheism Belief in one god. Ex. Judaism, Christianity, Islam Belief in multiple gods. Ex. Hinduism, Animism.

Divisions Within a Religion Branch- large and fundamental division within a religion. Ex. Islam in divided into Sunni and Shia Ex. Christianity is divided into Catholic, Protestant, and East Orthodox Denomination- division of a single branch. Ex. Protestant denominations include Baptist, Lutheran, and Methodist. Sect- a small group that has broken away from the larger denomination.

Major Branches Within Christianity

Universalizing: Christianity Origin: Jerusalem (30 AD) Founder: Jesus Christ (based on Judaism) Diffusion: Roman Empire, European Colonization, Missionaries Holy Book: Bible (Old and New Testament) Major Branches: Catholic, Protestant, E. Orthodox Core Beliefs/ Teachings: Jesus was messiah that the Jews were waiting for/ son of God Died on the cross to save humans from sin Belief in Resurrection=heaven Holy Places: Vatican, Church of Holy Sepulchre. Modern Locations: All continents, predom. In NA, SA, EUR, AUS. Followers: Over 2 billion

Jesus, is that you?

Holy Site

Universalizing: Islam Origin: Saudi Arabia (622 AD) Founder: Mohammad (based on Judaism) Diffusion: Arab armies Holy Book: Quran Major Branches: Sunni, Shiite (Shia) Core Beliefs/ Teachings: 5 Pillars of Islam Mohammed is most impt. Prophet Jesus is prophet, but not as impt. As Mohammed Holy Places: Mecca (Ka’ba), Medina Modern Locations: SW Asia (Middle East), N. Africa, Central Asia, Southern Asia. Also Europe and NA. Followers: 1.3 billion

Mecca

Universalizing: Buddhism Origin: Nepal (530 BC) Founder: Siddhartha Gautama, original Buddha. Diffusion: Magadhan Empire, merchants (China) Holy Book: n/a Major Branches: Mahayana, Theravada, Tantrayana. Core Beliefs/ Teachings: Four Noble Truths (Desire= Suffering) Eightfold Path Nirvana Can follow other religions Holy Places: 8 holy shrines, 4 miracle sites, all connect to Buddha. Modern Locations: China, SE Asia Followers: 400 million

Buddha

Buddhist Temple and Monks

Ethnic: Hinduism Origin: BC Founder: No specific founder Diffusion: Little diffusion, relocation Holy Book: no single holy book Core Beliefs/ Teachings: Individual decides best way to worship god Many paths to god Polytheistic No rigid rules Holy Places: many (natural features, shrines, Ganges river) Modern Locations: India (97%), Nepal Followers: 900 million

Vishnu

Ganges River

Ethnic: Judaism Origin: Canaan (Israel) (2000 BC) Founder: Abraham Diffusion: Diaspora to Europe, to U.S. and Israel post- WWII Holy Book: Torah (Old Testament) Core Beliefs/ Teachings: Ten Commandments Monotheism Still waiting for Messiah Holy Places: Jerusalem, Western Wall, Mt. Sinai Modern Locations: Israel (1/3), U.S. (1/3), rest of world (1/3) Followers: 14 million

Abraham and Moses

Western Wall and Orthodox Jews

Other Ethnic Religions Confucianism (China) Daoism/ Taoism (China) Shinto (Japan) Animism (Africa)