By Molly Rose Duffy, Aroona Boodram, Michal Miaro, Samira Anantharam and Karen Chen RELIGION

Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Islam popular in commercial centers of west Africa & Swahili states in east Africa (trade) Emperors of Songhay, Mali and Ghana were Muslim; supported mosques, built schools to teach the Quran, etc. BUT, did not abandon traditional indigenous customs and beliefs. Syncretic blend of Islam and African beliefs  place for African spirits and magic & allowed men and women to socialize freely.

Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa Similarly, Roman Catholic Christianity made compromises with African traditional beliefs and customs. To support commercial & political alliances w/Portuguese, Kongo rulers (Alfonso I) converted. Some Africans regarded catholic missionaries as magicians and crosses as amulets to ward off angry spirits.

Protestant Reformation in Europe People began to question the Catholic Church in many of its policies including the sale of indulgences. Martin Luther starts the Protestant Reformation with his 95 Theses. King Henry VIII becomes head of Anglican Church in England after coming into conflict with the pope. John Calvin attracted converts in France and French-speaking parts of Switzerland.

Protestant Reformation in Europe People began to question the Catholic Church in many of its policies including the sale of indulgences. Martin Luther starts the Protestant Reformation with his 95 Theses. King Henry VIII becomes head of Anglican Church in England after coming into conflict with the pope. John Calvin attracted converts in France and French-speaking parts of Switzerland.

Religion in East Asia during s In Ming and Qing China, Confucianism was supported by the emperor and government. Christianity entered China through a Jesuit named Matteo Ricci; he impressed the Chinese with his science and mathematics, but got very few converts. This was because of Christianity’s exclusivity, being the one, true religion. In Japan, Neo-Confucianism was the official religion. Similar to China, Christianity entered Japan through Jesuits, yet gained many converts. However, the government, along with Buddhists and Confucians, feared it’s exclusiveness and it was banned, with it’s followers being persecuted and even executed.

Change and Continuity in East Asia Religion ChangeContinuity Christianity attempted to enter East Asia as a way to gain converts after the devastating effects of the Protestant Reformation. However, they had very little success and there was practically no change because the Chinese and Japanese governments were afraid of instability. Confucianism stayed popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties of China. In Japan, Buddhism and Shintoism stayed prevalent and always at the center of Japanese culture.

Latin America ChangesContinuities Christianity spreads to Latin America due to colonization in these areas Syncretic faith – Day of the Dead, idol worship, Virgin of Guadalupe Indigenous peoples continued to observe their inherited faiths

Islam and the Middle East Ottomans Called their warriors “Ghazi,” or “religious warriors” Goal was to wage a holy war and “purify the world from the filth of polytheism.” Empire included Christians, Jews Safavids Twelver Shiism- created to gain popular support of the nomadic Turkish tribes There had been 12 imams after Muhammad, and they had gone into hiding to escape persecution, but they were still alive. Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians

Mughal Empire Akbar- Promoted religious tolerance in hopes it would reduce tensions betweens Hindus and Muslims. Encouraged Syncretic Faith in which the ruler was center of society. “Divine Faith” Didn’t Require minority faiths to pay Jizya tax. Aurangzeb- Devout Muslim Religious tensions broke out between Muslims and Hindus Broke Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance. Demolished many Hindu temples and built mosques Empire included religions such as Jains, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews, Syncretic faiths

Changes and Continuities Continuities Jizya tax ( With the exception of Akbar) Dhimmi- Protected People Promotion of Islam as official faith of Mughal India Religious Diversity Spread religion through conquer Changes Twelver Shiism Policies of Religious tolerance under Akbar The unity of Muslims and Hindus The Ottomans Holy War vs. Safavids syncretic Shiism for Turkish nomads vs. Moguls “Divine Faith” and return to Islamic faith

Comparisons In East Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa, the religion blended with indigenous religions to form a SYNCRETIC FAITH Ex: Christianity in Latin America: the Virgin of Guadalupe, El Dia de Los Muertos in east Asia: missionaries let coverts venerate their ancestors Sub-Saharan Africa: mixing of African beliefs and Christianity

Comparisons of Religion in East Asia Latin AmericaMiddle East In East Asia, Christianity received very few converts, and those who did convert were either persecuted or converted back to their old religion. However, in Latin America, Christianity attracted many converts and became a huge part in society, building schools and churches to study. In the Middle East, even though religions like Buddhism and Christianity made their way through the empires, many kept their religion of Islam. Similarly, even with the huge impact of Christianity, many people of East Asia kept their native religion of either Confucianism, Buddhism or Shintoism.