1. Chapter 7: Religion Alex Matthews

2. What is Religion? “A system of beliefs and practices that attempts to order life in terms of culturally perceived ultimate priorities”. “A system of beliefs and practices that attempts to order life in terms of culturally perceived ultimate priorities”. Religion answers the question of how a person “should” behave on a day-to-day basis. Religion answers the question of how a person “should” behave on a day-to-day basis.

3. The Purpose of Religion Religion normally projects the idea that a “good” life has rewards and that “bad” behaviors have punishments Religion normally projects the idea that a “good” life has rewards and that “bad” behaviors have punishments For many people, religion defines who they are and how they understand the world around them For many people, religion defines who they are and how they understand the world around them

4. The Opposite of Religion Secularism – “the idea that ethical and moral standards should be formulated and adhered to for life on Earth, not to accommodate the prescriptions of a deity and promises of a comfortable afterlife.” Secularism – “the idea that ethical and moral standards should be formulated and adhered to for life on Earth, not to accommodate the prescriptions of a deity and promises of a comfortable afterlife.” Basically stating that religion should be excluded from daily life and the main concern is to focus on life on the physical Earth. Basically stating that religion should be excluded from daily life and the main concern is to focus on life on the physical Earth.

5. Categories of Religion Monotheistic – “a belief system in which one supreme deity is revered as creator and arbiter of all that exists.” Monotheistic – “a belief system in which one supreme deity is revered as creator and arbiter of all that exists.” –Key Phrase: One deity –Example: Christianity Polytheistic – “a belief system in which multiple deities are revered as creators and arbiters of all that exists.” Polytheistic – “a belief system in which multiple deities are revered as creators and arbiters of all that exists.” –Key Phrase: Multiple deities –Example: Hinduism

6. Animistic – “a belief system in which inanimate objects and elements of the natural landscape possess souls and can help or hinder human efforts.” Animistic – “a belief system in which inanimate objects and elements of the natural landscape possess souls and can help or hinder human efforts.” –Key Phrase: Inanimate objects and nature –Example: Shamanism

7. Hearths of Religion By 500 BCE there were four main hearths of religion and philosophy that were developed: By 500 BCE there were four main hearths of religion and philosophy that were developed: –Greek Philosophy: Shores of the Mediterranean Sea –Hinduism: South Asia, along the Indus River valley –Judaism: Eastern Mediterranean –Chinese Philosophy: Huang He River Valley in China These religions/philosophies influenced other religions that we know of today. These religions/philosophies influenced other religions that we know of today.

8. Hearth Religious Influence on Other Religions Christianity has influence from both Judaism and Greek Philosophy. Christianity has influence from both Judaism and Greek Philosophy. Islam has influence from Judaism, Greek Philosophy, and Christianity. Islam has influence from Judaism, Greek Philosophy, and Christianity. The monotheistic beliefs that Christianity and Islam share are derived from the monotheistic beliefs that Judaism displays. The monotheistic beliefs that Christianity and Islam share are derived from the monotheistic beliefs that Judaism displays.

9. Hearth of the Three Main Monotheistic Religions Around 3,500 years ago there was a monotheistic religion that developed in Southwest Asia called Zoroastrianism. Around 3,500 years ago there was a monotheistic religion that developed in Southwest Asia called Zoroastrianism. Some believe that this religion is the original hearth of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Some believe that this religion is the original hearth of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. However, some others believe that Judaism itself was the first monotheistic religion. However, some others believe that Judaism itself was the first monotheistic religion.

10. Universalizing Religions “A belief system that espouses the idea that there is one true religion that is universal in scope.” “A belief system that espouses the idea that there is one true religion that is universal in scope.” Members of universalizing religions actively seek people to be a part of their religion. (Missionaries) Members of universalizing religions actively seek people to be a part of their religion. (Missionaries) Examples: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Examples: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

11. Ethnic Religions “A religion that is particular to one, culturally distinct group of people.” “A religion that is particular to one, culturally distinct group of people.” Followers are normally born into the religion. Followers are normally born into the religion. Followers do not actively seek out converts like in universalizing religions. Followers do not actively seek out converts like in universalizing religions. Ethnic religions tend to be spatially concentrated but not always. Ethnic religions tend to be spatially concentrated but not always. Examples: Judaism, Shamanism, traditional religions in Africa Examples: Judaism, Shamanism, traditional religions in Africa

12. Hearths of Different Religions Hinduism: Hinduism: –Originated 4,000 years ago in the Indus River Valley which is now part of Pakistan –Does not have a single founder or single theology –Based on ancient practices of the Indus River cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa

13. Buddhism: Buddhism: –Derived from Hinduism over 2,500 years ago –Created as a reaction to Hinduism’s strict social hierarchy –Prince Siddhartha of what is now Nepal founded Buddhism and was known as the Buddha Shintoism: Shintoism: –Buddhism was mixed with a local religion in Japan creating Shintoism –There is no official founder Taoism: Taoism: –The exact beginnings are not known –Can be traced back to an older contemporary of Confucius, Lao- Tsu –Lao-Tsu published the Tao-te-ching, “Book of the Way”, which focused on the proper form of political rule and the oneness of humanity and nature

14. Confucianism: Confucianism: –Started by Confucius in China –Confucius denied the divine ancestry of the aristocratic rulers, educated the landless and the weak, disliked supernatural mysticism, and argues that human virtues and abilities not heritage should determine a person's position and responsibility in society. –Confucianism is a philosophy not really a religion. Judaism: Judaism: –Grew out of the belief system of the Jews, one of the several nomadic Semitic tribes in Southwest Asia about 4,000 years ago. –The teachings of Abraham are the roots of the Jewish religious beliefs Christianity: Christianity: – Can be traced back to the same hearth as Judaism in the Mediterranean –Jesus was the founder of Christianity

15. Islam: Islam: –Can be traced back to the founder Muhammad in Mecca –Muhammad admired the monotheism of Judaism and Christianity Traditional/Shamanist: Traditional/Shamanist: –Can be traced back to many different tribes scattered all around the world –These faiths could be found in early African, Native American, Southeast and East Asian civilizations.

16. Sacred Sites “Place or space people infuse with religious meaning.” “Place or space people infuse with religious meaning.” The ancient city of Jerusalem is sacred to the Jewish people, Christians and Muslims. The ancient city of Jerusalem is sacred to the Jewish people, Christians and Muslims. The Western Wall and The Temple Mount are other examples of sacred sites The Western Wall and The Temple Mount are other examples of sacred sites

17. Sacred Landscapes How religion is prominent through an areas landscape How religion is prominent through an areas landscape Since the erection of a temple in the Hindu culture bestows merit on the builder, there are many temples within the Hindu cultural landscape. Since the erection of a temple in the Hindu culture bestows merit on the builder, there are many temples within the Hindu cultural landscape. In a Christian landscape a church is always present and sometimes is the focus of the whole town. In a Christian landscape a church is always present and sometimes is the focus of the whole town.

18. Interfaith Boundaries “Boundaries between the world’s major religions” “Boundaries between the world’s major religions” Social division in a country based on religion can cause conflict and interfaith boundaries Social division in a country based on religion can cause conflict and interfaith boundaries Examples: Examples: –The Christian and Muslim faith presences in Africa –Israel/Palestine Conflict

19. Intrafaith Boundaries “Boundaries within a single faith” “Boundaries within a single faith” Different sects of a religion could engage in conflict with each other based on diverging beliefs. Different sects of a religion could engage in conflict with each other based on diverging beliefs. Example: Example: –The Protestant/Catholic conflict in Northern Ireland

20. Israel and Palestine After World War I, the British, who controlled Palestine, wanted to create a national homeland for the Jewish people within Palestine. After World War I, the British, who controlled Palestine, wanted to create a national homeland for the Jewish people within Palestine. The British assured the world that the non- Jewish people of Palestine would have protected religious and civil rights The British assured the world that the non- Jewish people of Palestine would have protected religious and civil rights A peaceful result was not achieved by the policy and by 1947-1948 Jews and Palestinians engaged in open warfare. A peaceful result was not achieved by the policy and by 1947-1948 Jews and Palestinians engaged in open warfare.

21. Yugoslavia The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox divisions of Christianity existed in Yugoslavia divided by the Balkan Peninsula. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox divisions of Christianity existed in Yugoslavia divided by the Balkan Peninsula. The Slovenians and Croats in the west of the peninsula were Catholic. The Slovenians and Croats in the west of the peninsula were Catholic. The Serbians and Montenegrans in the east and south of the Peninsula were Eastern Orthodox The Serbians and Montenegrans in the east and south of the Peninsula were Eastern Orthodox Also, the people in the west of the peninsula used the roman alphabet and the people in the east and south used the Cyrillic alphabet Also, the people in the west of the peninsula used the roman alphabet and the people in the east and south used the Cyrillic alphabet

22. Yugoslavia (Continued) The already present religious and linguistic tension that existed in Yugoslavia followed by the forceful take over by the Muslim Ottomans caused more tension and conflict. The already present religious and linguistic tension that existed in Yugoslavia followed by the forceful take over by the Muslim Ottomans caused more tension and conflict.

23. Religious Fundamentalism “Religious movement whose objectives are to return to the foundations of the faith and to influence state policy” “Religious movement whose objectives are to return to the foundations of the faith and to influence state policy” A fundamentalist group holds it religious beliefs as nonnegotiable and uncompromisable. A fundamentalist group holds it religious beliefs as nonnegotiable and uncompromisable.

24. Religious Extremism “Religious fundamentalism carried to the point of violence” “Religious fundamentalism carried to the point of violence” Fundamentalists can be extremists but not the other way around. Fundamentalists can be extremists but not the other way around.