1. AP Human Geography RELIGION

2. Religion Regions

3. Religion Terms Religion: a cultural system of beliefs, traditions and practices often centered around the worship of a deity or deities (god/gods) Universalizing Religions: Religions that seek to convert nonbelievers to their ranks (Christianity/Islam) Ethnic Religions: religions that are associated with a particular ethnic group (Hinduism, Judaism)

4. Monotheism: Belief in on Supreme Being Polytheism: belief in multiple gods Syncretic religions: the process of combining multiple beliefs and practices into one system

5. Traditional Religions: a subset of ethnic religions. These faiths are practiced by small groups of people who largely live in isolated or developing areas of the world (tribal groups in Africa, Native American tribal groups) Animism: the belief that souls and gods inhabit all or most objects, especially natural objects such as trees, stones and bodies of water

6. 6 Commonalities in Major Religions: Religions have a tendency to splinter Have a founder or key figure Have scriptures Have rituals Have structures for prayer or religious rituals Teach a form of the Golden Rule Preach Peace

7. Religions Jigsaw Activity Groups will each be assigned to read one section from the Chapter on Religions 8C: Hinduism 8D: Buddhism 8E Judaism 8F: Christianity 8H: Islam As you read, you must find the following information: Origin of the religion (background story/history) Classification of religion – monotheistic, polytheistic, universalizing, etc. Branches or divisions of religion Basic beliefs Key figures of worship, important people within the religion Scared writings Places of worship Where is it practiced today? How many people practice the religion?

8. JUDAISM

9. 9 Judaism 14 million adherents Monotheistic (claims to the oldest one) Based on covenant with Abraham Scriptures: Torah – 5 books of the “Law” Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Sects Orthodox, Conservative, Reform Israel – More Jews in New York City than in Israel Homeland for Jewish people Created 1948 Conflict between Israel and Palestine

10. CHRISTIANITY

11. 11 Christianity Emerged from Judaism – Jesus was a Jew! Official religion of Roman Empire – 312 CE Facilitated geographical spread Model for its bureaucratic structure Significant growth in Africa, Asia and Latin America

12. 12 Christian Fundamentals Areas of almost complete agreement: Sacraments of Baptism & Matrimony Monotheism involving one God in a trinity of persons (referred to as a mystery) Blessing and sharing bread and wine at least in memory of Jesus sacrifice Jesus was/is 100% God and 100% human Salvation comes from belief in and acceptance of Jesus as one’s savior There will be a second coming at the end of time

13. 13 Christian Denominations: Sects Eastern Orthodox Greek, Serbian, Russian, Armenian, etc. Roman Catholic – Latin Rite & Greek Rite Largest single denomination in the USA Protestant – hundreds of denominations Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, etc. Peripheral – significant differences from the mainstream Christian denominations Mormon, Jehovah Witnesses, etc.

14. ISLAM

15. Islam Muhammad, prophet Allah (word for God) Monotheistic Major Sects: Sunni – 85% and Shiite – 15% Qur’an, the holy book, is sufficient to direct all aspects of life, seen as direct word of god, as told to Muhammad. 15

16. Five Pillars Five Pillars of Islam 1.Belief in one God 2.Five daily prayers facing Mecca 3.Generous alms (help to poor) 4.Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan 5.Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) 16

17. HINDUISM

18. 18 Hinduism Most ancient religious tradition in Asia (world?) Vedas – Hindu sacred texts May be viewed as polytheistic Castes Brahman, priestly Kshatriya, warrior/ruler Vaisya, tradesman and farmer Sudra, servant and laborer Untouchables (5 th caste) Central belief is in reincarnation

19. 19 Characteristics of Hinduism No clergy or religious requirements – No real splintering or sects Can be practices in many ways & at many levels so there was no need to “split off.” Each individual is seeking to comprehend the ultimate reality while living out his/her dharma (duty) with the goal of union with Brahman once the cycle of reincarnation is ended.

20. BUDDHISM

21. 21 Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama/Buddha – Enlightened One Four Noble Truths Life involves suffering Cause of suffering is desire Elimination of desire ends suffering Right thinking and behavior eliminate desire Diffused from India

22. 22 Buddhism Nirvana Buddhism is a way of living that achieves release from reincarnation and suffering God is not knowable, so is, therefore, not a major concern in Buddhism Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) rejected the caste system

23. 23 Buddhism Scriptures: Vinaya (discipline) – expanded later Branches: Theravada (south) – monk seeks own deliverance Mahayana (north) – role ritual Tibetan Lamaism – example of syncretism

24. 24 Branches of Buddhism

25. Confucianism Confucianism: A Chinese folk religion or philosophy that began about 2,500 years ago and that emphasizes proper social relationships and individual morality. Confucius lived from 551-479 BC in China Importance of loyalty to one’s parents, family and government Supports an orderly state (strong government)

26. Taoism Taoism: An ancient Chinese philosophy or religion focused on individual morality, self-restraint, and humility Much more mystical compared to Confucianism Focuses more on the individual

27. 27 Sikhism Sikhism: Monotheistic religion founded in South Asia in the late 15 th Century as a reaction to perceived problems with the teachings of Islam and Hinduism Offshoot of Hinduism Centered around the Punjab area Guru Nanak (founder)

28. Baha’i Baha’i: A universalizing religion founded in the 19 th Century in present day Iran and Iraq. It is practiced today in nearly every country. Main message is that all peoples are the same regardless of background or religion Seeks to unite all people of the world

29. Shintoism Shintoism: The traditional animistic religion of Japan Believers acknowledge that kami are present in natural objects People pray and honor the kami to ensure that good fortune falls on them. Kami = not god or gods; spirits that are concerned with human beings

30. Jainism Jainism: developed about the same time as Buddhism as a reaction to Hinduism (6 th Century BC) Jains believe that the only way to escape the cycle of rebirth is to cease all activity that might accumulate bad karma Thus, monastic living is the only true way to salvation: monks and nuns renounce all possessions, wandering by foot for much of their lives, begging for food and trying not to harm any living thing.

31. African Tribal Religions African Tribal Religion: A catch all term that refers to many individual religions in Africa that have some things in common. Most are forms of animism Focus is on maintaining order in society and life, not on eternal salvation Failure to respect the gods might bring a bad harvest or infertility

32. 32 Religion & Politics Freedom of religion Historically the exception rather than the “rule.” Theocracy Church rules directly – government based on “scriptures.” Separation of church and state Islamic fundamentalists oppose it – favor theocracy Instituted by United States Constitution to preserve religious freedom. Terrorism – unacceptable resort of those who feel marginalized – usually more about power than it is about religion (emotional excuse for violence)

33. 33 Social Impact of Religion Gender roles Women’s rights, duties, obligations, opportunities, etc. Patriarchal or matriarchal societies Diet and food preparation restrictions Kosher – rule related to how acceptable food is prepared Pork – forbidden to Jews & Muslims Beef – unacceptable to Hindus – many are vegetarians Alcohol – forbidden to Muslims Ethics and morals Guidelines for the “good” life Schools and social and medical institutions

34. 34 Religion and Environment Burial practices Origin of the world All have some creation story which usually indicates the place of humans in that creation Relationship with nature Exploitive approach – Christianity in practice rather in teaching Adaptive approach – Animism and most “Eastern” religions