APHUG Unit 3 Session 3

Religion

Distinguishes itself from other belief systems by its emphasis on the sacred and divine

Religions usually explain the relationship of the individual to the world, as well as the meaning of life and death

In recent years, other ideologies have replaced religion as a key cultural component in some societies

Humanism

Emphasizes the ability of human beings to guide their own lives

Marxism

Transformed communism into a central ideology in many areas in the 20th century

The three main universalizing religions are:

Christianity

Islam

Buddhism

Each universalizing religions is divided into subgroups:

• Branches are large basic divisions within a religion

• Denominations are divisions of branches that unite local groups in a single administrative body

• Sects are relatively small groups that do not affiliate with the mainstream denominations

Christianity

• This universalizing religions has the most followers and the most widespread distrubution

• It is the predominant religion in:

North America

South America

Europe

Australia

Christianity has three major branches:

1. Roman Catholic: 50% of the world’s Christians; concentrated in Latin America, Quebec, Central Africa, and Southern and Eastern Europe

2. Protestant: 18% of the world’s Christians; strong in North America; Northern Europe, Britain, South Africa, and Australia

3. Eastern Orthodox: 12% of world’s Christians; prevalent in Eastern Europe and Russia

Christianity in the US

About 50% of the US population is Protestant, but they belong to hundreds of different denominations and sects. Even the major denominations listed below are divided into different churches

Regions in the US

There are regional differences which means that most people live in communities where one denomination predominates

• Baptists: southern states

• Methodists: Northeast and Southwest

• Lutherans: Minnesota and North Dakota

• Mormons: Utah

Patterns have been determined PRIMARILY because of migration/settlement patterns

Islam

• It is the second largest religion in the world

• It is the predominant religion in:

Middle East from North Africa to Central Asia

Indonesia (largest Muslim country in the world)

Pakistan

Bangladesh

• It is also the youngest of the world religions

• The religion is diffusing rapidly to other areas

• The split between the Sunni and Shiite branches occurred over the rightful successor to Muhammad, the religion’s founder

• The Sunni believed that Muhammad’s successor should be chosen by agreement among the religion’s leaders

• The Shiite believed that the successor should be a member of Muhammad’s family

• Differences led to conflict that created hostilities that have continued through the years

There are two branches of Islam:

Sunni: 83% of all Muslims; largest branch in the Middle East and Asia; country with largest concentration is Indonesia

Shiite: 16& of all Muslims; most live in Iran; also followers in Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Yemen

Sunnis and Shiites in the Middle East

Only two counties in the Middle East are majority Shiite: Iran and Iraq. All the rest, with the exception of Lebanon and Israel, are majority Sunni. Historically, there have been many tensions between the two groups

Buddhism

• It is the third largest universalizing religions (500 million)

• The hearth of the religion was India where its founder, Siddharta (the Buddha) lived

• The religion diffused along the Silk Road across the Indian Ocean to East and Southeast Asia primarily

• Today, the predominant religion in India is Hinduism

Buddhism has three main branches:

1. Mahayana: 56% of Buddhists; characterized by broad inclusions of ideas and deities from other religions as it spread across East Asia

2. Theravada: 38% of Buddhists; stricter adherence to Buddha’s teachings; strong on Southeast Asia

3. Tantrayana: 6% of Buddhists; emphasis on magic and meditation; founded primarily in Tibet and Mongolia

Other Universalizing Religions

Silkism stress about continual improvement and movement toward perfection through individuals taking responsibility for their own actions

It combines Hinduism and Islam but centers its teachings on the founder, Nank

Followers are concentrated in the Punjab region of India

Baha’i is relatively new faith founded in Iran in 1844

Most followers live in Iran

Ethnic Religions

• These religions appeal primarily to one group of people living in one place

• Followers do not seek converts outside the group that gave rise to the religion

• These religions tend to be spatially concentrated

Hinduism

• It is the world’s third largest religion

• Most adherents live in India

• It is generally regarded as the world’s oldest organized religion

• The religion has no central God or single holy book

• There is a belief in the existence of a universal spirit (Brahman) that manifests itself in many shapes and forms, including Vishnu and Shiva

The Chinese Religions

• Confucianism provides a code of moral conduct based on humaneness and family loyalty

• Also spelled Taoism, is an indigenous religious-philosophical tradition that has shaped Chinese life for more than 2,000 years

• Daoism holds that human happiness lies in maintaining proper harmony with nature

Shintoism

• It is a native ethnic religion of Japan

• It focuses on nature and reverence of ancestor

• Although it is no longer the state religion of Japan, it still thrives in the country

• Prayers are offered to ancestors, and shrines mark reverence for house deities

Judaism

• It is one of the world’s oldest religions founded by Abraham in the lands bordering the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

• Its members are widely distributed across the earth because of diaspora, or forced exodus from their lands of origin

• It is the first recorded monotheistic religion, centered on the belief in one God

• Christianity and Islam have their roots in Judaism

Shamanism

• Shamanism is an ethnic religion in which people follow their shaman, a religious leader and teacher who is believed to be in contact with the supernatural

• Shamanism is reflected on the “totem poles” of North American natives

• Shamans in East Asia are believed to be in contact with the ancestors

• In Africa, shamanism takes the form of animism, the belief that inanimate objects (rocks, rivers, plants) have spirits and conscious life

Traditional Religions

• Traditional Religions are an integral part of a local culture and society

• Example: Shamanism and Native African religions

The Spatial Impact of Religions

• In large cities around the world, the tallest, most centralized, and elaborate buildings are often religious structures

• Many strictures are arranged around religious buildings

• Examples: The Hindu cultural landscape is dotted with shrines that impose minimal disruption to the natural landscape

• Shrines are located near water, because water is part of sacred rituals

• It is believed that gods will not venture far from water

• Bodhi trees are protected in Buddhist lands, marking the cultural landscapes of many villages and towns

• An important religious land use that impacts the cultural landscape has to do with disposing of the dead

• Practices include: cemeteries and cremations