1. The Geography of Religion
The Great Mosque, Mali
The Geography of Religion
The Wailing Wall, Jerusalem
Origins and Distributions of the Major Religions
Religious Ecology
Secularism, Fundamentalism, and Conflict
Hindu Statue (Ganesh)
Buddhist Monks

2. World Distribution of Religions
Figure 6-3
World Distribution of Religions

3. The Roots of Religion
Animism (Shamanism) - all objects, animals, and beings are “animated” or possess a spirit and a conscious life.
Shamanism because of the prominence of a Shaman.
losing ground to Christianity and Islam throughout Africa.
Nigerian Shaman

4. Native American Animism
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~ Chief Seattle
Bear Dance

5. How do Universalizing and Ethnic Religions Differ?
Ethnic (folk)
Appeal SMALL (one place).
Unknown source.
Content focused on place and landscape of origin.
Followers highly clustered.
Holidays based on local climate and agricultural practice.
Universalizing
Appeal LARGE
Individual founder (prophet)
Message & Followers diffused widely (missionaries)
Holidays based on events in founder’s life.

6. Christianity
2 billion adherents make it the largest world religion
Originated in Bethlehem (8-4 BC) and Jerusalem (AD 30) with Jesus Christ.
Universalizing or Ethnic?

7. Diffusion of Christianity

8. Christianity Three major branches Roman Catholicism (51 percent)
Protestant Christianity (24 percent)
Eastern Orthodox (11 percent)
Other, smaller branches of Christianity comprise 14 percent of all Christians

9. Distribution of Christians in the United States
Latter day/Mormon
Lutheran
Baptist
Figure 6-2

10. Islam

11. Islam 2nd largest world religion (1.3 B adherents/followers)
Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia
Two significant branches
Sunnis (83 percent)
Shias or Shiites (16 percent)

12. Reading the Koran, Brunei
Islam
Prophet: Muhammad
Holy Text: Koran/Quran
Islamic Calender
Begins in AD 622 when Muhammad was commanded to Mecca from Medina (Hijra).
Lunar calendar: makes Ramadan move through the seasons
Five Pillars of Islam
1-One God & Muhammad is his messenger.
2-Prayer 5X daily, facing Mecca(EAST)
3-Giving “alms”(charity) to the poor.
4-Fasting during Ramadan for purification and submission.
5-If body and income allow, a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca in his lifetime.
Reading the Koran, Brunei

13. Diffusion of Islam
Islam is considered the fastest growing religion in America. Only a small part of this growth is from black Muslims and the Nation of Islam.

14. Buddhism
400 million + adherents primarily in China and S.E. Asia
Originated by Nepal by prince Siddhartha Gautama. (around 530 BC)
Introduced in 3rd century ( )
Not fully accepted until 8th ( )

15. Buddhism Four Noble Truths:
1. All beings must suffer. 2. Suffering, which is caused by desires (for life), leads to reincarnation. 3. The goal of existence is an escape from suffering
4. Nirvana is achieved by the Eightfold Path, which includes rightness of understanding, mindfulness, speech, action, livelihood, effort, thought, and concentration.
Karma - your past bad or good actions determine your progress toward Nirvana through reincarnation.

17. STOP…
INSIDE MECCA Please follow along and answer the questions based on the lives of 3 pilgrims .as they go on “HAJJ” the most fulfilling journey of their religious lives!

18. Ethnic religions

19. Hinduism 3rd largest religion in the world.
900 million + adherents primarily in India (97%)
3rd largest religion in the world.
Hinduism is an ancient term for the complex and diverse set of religious beliefs practiced around the Indus River.
Reincarnation - endless cycles. Karma and Yoga.
Coastlines and river banks most sacred sites.(LETS WATCH)

20. Hinduism Polytheistic
Lord Vishnu
Dancing Shiva/Nataraj
Ganesh

21. Judaism Basic Ideas Belief in 1 God (1st “mono-theistic” faith)
15 million adherents
Atonement accomplished by sacrifices & good deeds

22. Judaism A nation in Diaspora (dispersed) Orthodox: Modern
Chasidic or Hasidic (Ultra Orthodox)
Reformed (18th century Germany)
Conservative – moderates, response to reform
Reconstructionist (20th century America)

23. Judaism Holy Books Written Law (Torah) Oral Law (Talmud)
613 commandments
Oral Law (Talmud)
commentary of ancient rabbis on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life

24. Where Are Religions Distributed?
Ethnic religions
Other ethnic religions
Confucianism (China)
Daoism (China)
Shinto (Japan)
Judaism (today: the United States, Israel)
The first monotheistic religion
Ethnic African religions
Animism

25. Shrine, Bangalore, India
Key Terms
Syncretism - the mixing of two or more religions creating new beliefs (unique rituals, artwork)
Examples include syncretism of Christianity and indigenous beliefs in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Caribbean Voodoo (Haiti, Louisiana)
STOP
Voodoo Dolls, Haiti
Shrine, Bangalore, India

26. Secularization vs Fundamentalism
Secularization - groups of people who claim no allegiance to any church.
Some of these people are atheists. Others simply do not practice. Still others call themselves spiritual, but not religious.
Secularization is Common in:
Europe, the former Soviet Union, China & the US
Fundamentalism - groups of people who claim there is only one way to interpret worship.
Fundamentalists generally envision a return to a more perfect religion and ethics they imagine existed in the past.
Fundamentalism is Common in:
Islamic nations, the former Soviet Union, China & the US

27. DIFFUSION OF BUDDHISM Out of India into surrounding areas
JAPAN: Small adoption by 200’s. By 700’s predominant
hearth