1. Chapter 6
Religion

2. Key Issue #3: Organization of Space
Overview:
Geographers study the major impact on the landscape made by all religions. (e.g. often the tallest most elaborate buildings are religious). Distribution of religious elements on the landscape reflects the importance of religion in people’s values.
Places of worship
Christian Churches
Places of worship in other religions
Sacred space
Disposing of the dead
Religious settlements
Religious place names
Administration of space
Hierarchical religions
Locally autonomous religions

3. Organization of Space sacred structures act as physical “anchors” of religion. ALL major religions have them, however, the functions of the buildings influence the arrangement of the structures across landscapes.
Places of worship
Christian worship- dominated by a high density of churches
Christian Church:
Critical role as (structure) an expression of religious principles (environment IN the image of God), also, a gathering place (attendance is considered extremely important)
Large number & size & expensive. Architecture often compatible with the doctrine & rituals & symbolism.
No single style dominates
Reflective of cultural values. (Orthodox=ornate, protestant=simplicity)
Most major religions do not consider their important buildings a sanctified place of worship

4. Places of worship in other religions
Muslim Mosques:
place of community assembly
not viewed as a sanctified place
place for community to gather together for worship
primarily in large cities
functional purpose
pulpit at end of courtyard facing Mecca
surrounded by a cloister used for schools & non religious activities
minarets are a distinctive feature of mosques
Hindu Temples:
important religious functions are more likely to take place at home within the family.
TEMPLES are built to house shrines for particular gods NOT for congregational worship.
Maintained by the wealthy.
Contains a symbolic artifact/image of God.
Space for ritual processions.

5. Sacred Spaces
Arrangement of human activities on the landscape at several SCALES;
from relative small parcels to entire communities.
HOW each is distributed on the landscape depends on beliefs.

6. Cremation near Taj Mahal

7. OTHER METHODS: not all bury
Disposing of the Dead burial/religious settlements=most significant land uses
Burial practices:
Sheltering the dead is impacted by climate, topography & doctrine
Cemetery: specially designated area used by Christians, Muslims, Jews
Historical connections: Christianity was illegal burial served as protection
Alignment of the body is sometimes traditional: body aligned with feet toward Jerusalem.
Cemeteries may consume significant space in a community thereby increasing the competitions for scarce space. Open space is a premium & are often used as public open space. (picnics, assembly, etc.)
OTHER METHODS: not all bury
Cremation: act of purification (strains the scarce supply of wood), strips away unclean portions of the body, nothing left behind (nomad), principly used in Europe before Christianity
Exposure: to scavengers. (Zoroastrians, Buddhists)
Disposal of bodies at Sea: (micronesia) raft, boat, flinging

8. Religious Settlement larger scale manifestations of religion on the landscape
Human settlements serve an economic purpose but some are established primarily for religious reasons.
Some buildings are used for economic activities organized to integrate religious principles into all aspects of daily life.
Utopia Movements (1820s)-
Mormons = the best example, others: mennonites, oneidans, shakers, etc.
religious principles effected many of the designs.
Spatial relationship = significance

9. Place Names in Québec
Place names in Québec show the impact of religion on the landscape. Many cities and towns are named after saints. Catholics use religiously sign. Names very often. Conversely, Protestants rarely use them.

10. Administration of Space
Followers of a universalizing religion must be connected so as to ensure communication & consistency of doctrine.
Ethnic Religions tend NOT to have organized central authority.

11. Hierarchical Religions

12. Area & population of parishes & diocese vary according to historical factors & the distribution of Roman Catholics across Earth’s surface.
As the distribution shift, the organization of the space is complicated

13. Roman Catholic Hierarchy in U.S.
The Catholic church divides the U.S. into provinces headed by archbishops. Provinces are divided into dioceses, headed by bishops. Notice the baseline!

14. Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)
Use strong organization of the landscape.
Wards, Stakes
Similar to Roman Catholic, however, more flexible in adjusting to population distribution changes.

15. Autonomous (self-sufficient) Religions
Can be ethnic or universal
Islam =
local autonomy
no hierarchy &
no territorial organization
Unity is established via high degrees of communication & migration (pilgrimage)

16. Protestant Demominations
Varied continuum:
from autonomous to somewhat hierarchical

17. Ethnic Religions No centralized structure of religious control
Share/exchange ideas primarily through pilgrimage and traditional writings
On a lighter note…

18. Key Issue #4 : Religious Conflicts
Religion vs. government policies
Religion vs. social change
Religion vs. Communism
Religion vs. religion
Religious wars in Ireland
Religious wars in the Middle East