Chapter 7 Religion

What is religion and what role does it play in culture? Religion- set of beliefs and practices that order your life –Creates ideas of good and bad, has rules on eating, prayer, dress… Secularism- belief in religion but not an organized church (increasing)

Where did major religions start? Monotheistic- belief in one god Polytheistic- belief in many gods Animistic- belief that inanimate objects have power (god of wind)

Theory that the first monotheistic religion was Zoroastrianism, but no proof yet…first monotheistic Jewish First four major religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Greek mythology, Chinese philosophy

Universalizing religions: actively seek converts; trying to grow (Christian, Islam, Buddhism) Ethnic religions: based on a ethnic belief, do not seek converts; usually isolated (except Judaism)

Hinduism Oldest of all major religions; 4,000 years ago started in Indus River valley Beliefs: reincarnation, karma (actions done in this life affect your next life); escaping the cycle of life through good deeds

Hinduism cont’d Caste system- India social class system based in Hindu hierarchy. Born into your caste and can not move up or down Lowest caste is the “untouchables” Caste system relaxed some for modern times

spread by adopting teachings of other religions and appealed to Christians and Muslims –often creating new religions (Sikhism) –Mainly isolated in SE Asia (India) and lost many followers when Buddhism emerged Hinduism cont’d

Buddhism Began in India as a reaction to the harsh rules of Hinduism Founded by Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) a prince in India who wanted to improve the poor Known as the enlightened one, he ended Caste system

Buddhism cont’d Enlightened through: self knowledge, elimination of greed and desire; honesty, and kindness Followed the four noble truths; reincarnations, and nirvana (heaven)

Buddhism cont’d Spread after Buddha’s death by Emperor Asoka (India) who spread religion throughout the empire and other areas with missionaries Hinduism took over India, Buddhism east and south Asia Religion divided based on strictness

Chinese religions Taoism (Daoism)- founded by Lao Tsu –Philosophy on harmony with nature (Feng Shui) –Anti government interference –Goal is to search for the path of virtue

Chinese religions Confucianism- founded by Confucius –Ethical behavior and respect –Practiced throughout China

Chinese religions Shintoism- worship of animals and nature's power –Practiced in Japan

Judaism Began 2000BC with Moses and their history has constant wars Monotheistic with origin of Abraham Divided into many branches from strict to liberal

Judaism cont’d Scattered by Romans through Diaspora, spread the religion throughout Europe and Africa –Ashkenazim- Europe –Sephardim- North Africa and Southern Europe

Judaism cont’d Persecuted early for their religion and continued Wanted a central homeland (Israel) and created Zionism- belief to secure Israel at all costs

Christianity From Jewish who believed that Jesus would lead them to freedom and salvation Faced persecution by Romans until 312 (emperor Constantine) Roman Catholic church (Rome) Eastern Orthodox Church (East Europe/Russia)

Christianity cont’d 1600s Martin Luther broke from Catholic Church and est. Lutherans (Protestant) Contagious diffusion throughout Europe Worldwide diffusion with colonialism

Islam 571 AD founded by Muhammad a prophet of Allah (God) Holy book Koran; monotheistic; Holy city Mecca

Islam cont’d Five pillars: No God but Allah; give to charity; pray 5 times a day towards Mecca; fast during daylight hours of Ramadan; pilgrimage to Mecca Koran rules: no alcohol; no pork; no gambling; allowed equal polygamy for men

Islam cont’d Sunni- majority branch, elect the religious leader Shiite- minority, believe leader must be related to Muhammad Diffused though traders (Hierarchical diffusion) Conflict with Christians

Cultural landscape Sacred sites- places that have religious meaning to people; protect these spaces and are encouraged to visit or pilgrimage

Jerusalem Holds the western wall (last standing wall of the original Jewish temple) Christian burial site of Christ (Church of the Holy Sepulcher) Where Muhammad ascended into heaven (Dome of the Rock) Creates lots of fighting between the three religions

Hindu /Buddhist Hindu- many temples erected in their landscape; ritual bathing keeps temples near water; mainly in India (Ganges river) Buddhism- Bodhi tree (Tree of enlightenment) bell shaped temples, pagodas Crematoriums

Christianity Medieval cathedrals with steeples, towers, spires Catholic sacred bond with the Vatican and pope Modern churches Cemeteries

Islam Mosques and minarets Mecca the holy city

Interfaith boundaries- fighting between two faiths –Nigeria (Christian South v. Muslim North) –Sudan (Muslims v. Christians) –Ethiopia- (Muslims v. Christian) war 1991 creating Eritrea –Former Yugoslavia- (Muslim v. Christian) ethnic cleansing; new countries formed

Palestine v. Israel Interfaith Jewish wanted a homeland and began to move to Israel after WWII Arabs resented being told to move UN said divide in half, Jewish fought and won the whole Never lost a war (Israel) Still fighting

Intrafaith- fighting within a religion North Ireland (Catholics v. Protestants) Catholics discriminated against in N. Ireland Islamic countries (Sunni V. Shiite) Iran/Iraq war

Religious fundamentalism Return to basic beginnings of faith Anti modernization (birth control, alcohol, clothing Shari’a law strict Muslim law Religious extremism- when plans become violent Jihad- holy war