5 CG Religion

Geography of Religion: 

Geography of Religion Cultural Geography C.J. Cox Instructor

Geography of Religion: 

Geography of Religion What is Religion? Major Religions & Divisions Religious Landscapes Religious Conflict and Interaction

Religion: 

Religion A set of beliefs existence of a higher power, spirits or god an explanation of the origins and purpose of humans and their role on earth Which involves rituals, festivals, rites of passage and space (religious landscapes)

Key Terms: 

Key Terms Universalizing Religion: attempts to appeal to all people, not just those living in a particular location. Proselytize: to try to convert people to one’s belief or opinion.

Slide5: 

Key Terms Ethnic Religions: concentrated spatial distribution whose principles are likely based on physical characteristics of a particular location.

Key Terms: 

Key Terms Monotheism: existence of only one god. Polytheism: existence of many gods. Cosmogony: A set of religious beliefs concerning the origin of the universe.

Religious Divisions: 

Branch: A large and fundamental division within a religion. Denomination: A division within a branch of a religion. Sect: A relatively small denominational group that has broken away from an established church. Religious Divisions

Major World Religions: 

Major World Religions Universalizing Religions Christianity Islam Buddhism Traced to actions and teaching of a man Diffused from specific hearths by followers / missionaries

Slide9: 

Major World Religions Ethnic Religions Hinduism Judaism all Animistic Religions No specific founder limited diffusion / no missionaries

Slide11: 

http://www.religioustolerance.org/worldrel.htm

Christianity: 

Christianity Origin and Diffusion Palestine (modern Israel) Universalizing Religion What are the 3 branches? Branches Roman Catholic Protestant Eastern Orthodox

Christianity: 

Christianity Origin and Diffusion Messiah: Jesus Universalizing Religion Branches Roman Catholic Protestant Eastern Orthodox

Christianity: 

Basic Precepts Belief in One God Father, Son & Holy Spirit Covenant (contract) with God New Testament - salvation to those who believe in Jesus Christ and his teachings Salvation is by grace or belief not works Believers to to heaven with everlasting life Conversion of others (proselytize) Christianity

Slide19: 

Catholicism - largest branch Headed by the Pope direct link to God Ceremonial - 7 sacraments baptism, marriage, Eucharist, etc. Very traditional Christianity

Slide20: 

Protestantism - (1517) Reformation era No Pope needed individual has direct link to God Grace through faith rather than sacraments forgiveness for sins through indiv. prayers Spread though N. Europe and England arose same time as 1466 Gutenberg Bible and the printing press Christianity

Slide21: 

Eastern Orthodoxy - 5th Century split Rivalry between Pope and Patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul) Rome remained center for Roman Catholicism Rejected Roman Catholicism doctrine by 1054 officially split National Churches Russian, Greek, Serbian Orthodox, etc. Christianity

Islam: 

Islam Origin and Diffusion Mecca, Muhammad Universalizing Religion Branches Sunni (majority) Shiite

Islam: 

Islam Basic Precepts Submission to the will of God (Allah) Lineage - Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, & Mohammed (different lineage) Holy Book - Koran - built on Old Testament Five (5) pillars of faith

Slide30: 

5 Pillars of Faith Creed “There is no God but Allah” Prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca Giving to the poor Month of Rammadan Pilgrimage to Mecca

Buddhism: 

Origin and Diffusion Founder: Siddhartha Gautama Universalizing Religion Branches Theravada Mahayana Zen Buddhism

Slide34: 

His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama

Buddhism: 

Buddhism Basic Precepts Buddha - the enlightened one Nirvana - highest degree of consciousness 4 noble truths Life involves suffering Cause of suffering is desire Extinguish desire Nirvana reached through 8 fold path

Slide36: 

Buddhism Basic Precepts Individuals choose the “Middle Path” Buddhist believe: not in any God, blind faith, or savior what is created is impermanent True Permanent Absolute Reality uncreated, unborn, permanent bliss of Nirvana

Slide38: 

Ethnic Religions

Slide39: 

Hinduism Origin & Diffusion - unknown Collection of scriptures 1500BC - 500AD Not widely diffused Almost exclusive to India

Slide40: 

Hinduism Ethnic religion almost exclusively in India Oldest religion in Asia (1500 B.C) No authority or holy book (ancient scriptures) Polytheistic (perceived) Numerous Gods Yet one reality - Brahman - one God

Slide42: 

Hinduism Basic Precepts Caste: The class or distinct hereditary order into which a Hindu is assigned according to religious law. Brahman (manifestations) Vishnu (preserver) Shiva (destroyer) Shakti (mother god)

Slide43: 

Hinduism Basic Precepts Maya - forms, categories, structures are an illusion from our perspective Reincarnation - chain of rebirths of each soul Law of Karma - “is the form of creation, where from all things have their life” (life’s baggage) Moksha - break the bonds of karma; experience that everything, including ourselves, is Brahman

Slide44: 

Judaism Origin and Diffusion Ethnic Religion (origins of Christianity) Diaspora: In 70 A.D., Romans forced Jews to disperse throughout the world. Ghetto: During the Middle Ages, a neighborhood in a city set up by law to be inhabited only by Jews.

Slide45: 

Judaism Basic Precepts Belief in One God Torah - original 5 chapters of Bible Prophecy of Moses Coming of the Messiah still to come Atonement accomplished by sacrifices, penitence & good deeds

Slide46: 

Ethnic Asian Religions Confucianism moral code Daoism philosophy of harmony & balance Shintoism Japanese traditional religion

Geography of Religion: 

Geography of Religion What is Religion? Major Religions & Divisions Religious Landscapes Religious Conflict and Interaction