1. Chapter 8 LECTURE OUTLINE The Geography of RELIGION
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Human Geography by Malinowski & Kaplan
Chapter 8 LECTURE OUTLINE The Geography of RELIGION
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2. Classifying Religions
A cultural system of beliefs, traditions, and practices often centered around the worship of a deity or deities
Universalizing religions
Religions that seek to convert nonbelievers
Examples: Christianity, Islam
Ethnic religions
A religion closely associated with a particular ethnic group
Examples: Judaism, Shinto
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3. World Religions Figure 8B.1
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4. Religions of Indian sub-continent
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5. Clash of Religions Universalizing Denominational African Republic Iraq
Nigeria Central
African Republic
British Isles
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6. Hinduism At least 4,000- 5,000 years old Hindu Beliefs
Dharma
One’s duties or obligations in life
Basis of the Varna (caste) system
Karma
Every action has consequences
Can affect your next life
Reincarnation
A person’s soul goes through cycles of death and rebirth
When a living thing dies, the soul passes to another life form
Leads to strict vegetarianism
The cycle can be broken (moksha), allowing one to reach nirvana (Sanskrit and Hindi: निर्वाण)
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7. Hindu Worship Polytheistic
Millions of gods and goddesses
Vishnu & Shiva have large sects
Scripture ≡ Holy book; connection between the divine and the human
Hindu Scripture
The Vedas
Ganesh
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8. Buddhism
Based on the teachings of Buddha (Siddhartha) in the 5th-6th century BCE
Siddhartha—name
Buddha—title “The Enlightened One”
Offshoot of Hinduism
Buddhists believe that all living things are reborn, but the cycle can be broken
They seek “Enlightenment” as path to nirvana
Four Noble Truths
Life is suffering
Suffering is caused by desire and craving
Suffering can be ended
Desire can be eliminated through the Eightfold Path
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9. Judaism Small but influential faith Ethnic religion
Believe themselves to be the chosen people of God (a special status that requires stringent behavior)
Expelled from what is now Israel by the Romans
The Diaspora
Jewish Scripture is the Tanakh, including the Torah
Jewish Practices
Sabbath is Friday night and Saturday
Numerous annual holidays—religious calendar
Observant Jews are required to keep numerous commands, including a kosher diet
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10. Christianity Largest religion--over 2 billion adherents
Rooted in the Jewish tradition
Believe that Jesus Christ is God; both human and divine
Jesus—name as human
Christ—title as God (Greek for “anointed one”)
Denomination ≡ A sub-set or variety of a religion
Three largest Christian denominations:
Roman Catholic; Protestant; Russian Orthodox
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11. Islam Younger than Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, or Christianity
Began in the 7th century C.E. with the Prophet Muhammad
Calendar starts with the Hijra (Arabic: هِجْرَة ‎‎) in 622 C.E.
Scripture--the Qur'an
Disagreements over succession after Muhammad’s death led to
Two major denominations—Sunni-leaders chose successor; Shi’a-successor from Muhammad’s family
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12. Islamic Practice—Five Pillars of Islam {Judaism and Islam are sister religions}
Shahada-Confession of faith. It is, simply, “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet.”{analog-Sh’mah, ‘There is only one God’}
Salat-Prayer. Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. During prayer, Muslims face in the direction of Mecca, no matter where they are in the world.{analog-Tifeelah, facing Jerusalem}
Zakayt-Charity. Muslims, except the poor, are expected to give one-fortieth of their income and possessions to the poor each year.{analog-Tz’dahkah, Jews are expected to give one-tenth of their income}
Sawm-Fasting. No food nor drink from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan and for other purposes. {analog-T’zom, Yom Kippur (25 hours) and other days}
Haj-Pilgrimage. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey is expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. {analog-Aliya l’Regel, pilgrimage to Jerusalem (not required)}
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13. Other Significant Religious Groups
Chinese folk religions
Confucianism
Began in the 5th-6th centuries B.C.E.
Emphasizes proper relationships in
society
Taoism
Mystical and esoteric
Focused on morality, self-restraint, & humility
Believe in balance of opposites, symbolized by
the Taijitu (Chinese: 太極圖)
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14. Other Significant Religious Groups
Animism
Oldest religious expression
Sees souls in all things (including Gaia, the entire planet)
Includes:
African Traditional Religion
A catch-all term for dozens of traditions
Emphasis is on maintaining order in society
Sikhism
In the Punjab, a region in India/Pakistan
Grew from and rejected key ideas of Hinduism and Islam
Jainism
Developed as a reaction to Hinduism
Goal is to eliminate sources of bad karma
Does not include the Varna system
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15. Other Significant Religious Groups
Baha'i
Founded in the 19th century in what is now Iran & Iraq
Universalizing. Seeks to unite all the peoples of the world
Shinto
Ancient, ethnic, religion of Japan
Animistic: believe in millions of kami
Most Japanese engage in both Shinto and Buddhist religious activities
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16. Landscapes of Religion 1
Unique buildings
Churches, mosques, temples, etc.
Cemeteries, religious schools, monuments, etc.
Some cities are organized around religious buildings
Pilgrimage sites. Pilgrimage ≡ A journey to a place of religious importance
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17. Landscapes of Religion 2
Three Types of Sacred Places:
(based on Jackson & Henrie *many places combine
multiple features)
Historical sites
Western Wall (Judaism)
Karbala, Iraq (Shi’ite Muslims)
Homelands
Chaco Canyon (New Mexico was home to Pueblo Indians)
Mystico-Religious Sites
Places where the religion feels that a deity came into contact with humans
Dome of the Rock (Muslims)
Bodhi Tree (Buddhists)
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18. Freedom Of Religion Charles Pinckney
The South Carolina State Constitution stated that “all persons and religious societies who acknowledge that there is one God, and a future state of rewards and punishments, and that God is publicly to be worshipped, shall be freely tolerated. The Christian Protestant religion shall be deemed, and is hereby constituted and declared to be, the established religion of this State. That all denominations of Christian Protestants in this State…shall enjoy equal religious and civil privileges…..[and that that no person is eligible to the Senate or House of Representatives] unless he be of the Protestant religion.”
Charles Pinckney
Charles Pinckney of South Carolina was responsible for the "religious test" clause in the United States Constitution that later was used to overturn state constitutions' clauses requiring office holders to swear their belief in a deity. He introduced this clause at the Constitutional Convention. When it was brought to a vote it passed with little opposition and so for the first time in history an official of a national government was not required to have a religion.
Pinckney’s religious test clause says: “No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”
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