Chapter 6 - Religions: Key Issue 1 - Where are Religions Distributed?

Universalizing Religions

Religions that attempt to be global in an effort to appeal to all people, wherever they may live in the world, not just to those of one culture or location.

Ethnic Religions

Religions that appeal primarily to one group of people living in one place.

Atheism

The belief that God does not exist.

Agnosticism

The belief that nothing can be known about whether God exists.

Branch

A large and fundamental division within a religion.

Denomination

A division of a branch that unites a number of local congregations in a single legal and administrative body.

Sunni

Largest branch of Islam (83%); name derives from Arabic for "people following the example of Muhammed".

Shiite (a.k.a. Shia)

Derives from the Arabic word for "sectarian". 16% of Muslims belong to this branch, most of whom live in Iran.

Sikhism

First began as Guru Nanak had God revealed to him as The One Supreme Being. It is believed people have the constant opportunity to improve to become closer to perfection.

Baha'i

Founded in 1844, it functions to end religiously motivated discord and promote universal unity through the abolition of racial, class, and religious prejudices.

Hinduism

The largest of the world's ethnic religions, 90% are located in India.

Syncretic

Combining several traditions.

Confucianism

Created by a Chinese philosopher, this stresses the importance of "Li", or propriety, which outlines the principles of conduct. This includes following tradition, being respectful, and fulfilling obligations.

Taoism

Created by Lao-Zi, his writings emphasized the mystical and magical aspects of life, which acted as a direct contrast to his work as a government administrator. "The way" is made to be incomprehensible, as many other aspects of life are.

Pagan

The practices of ancient peoples, such as the Greeks and Romans, who had multiple gods with human forms. In the modern day, it is used to refer to beliefs that predate Islam and Christianity.

Juchte

Translating to "self-reliance" from Korean, this is a North Korean government-made ideology by Kim Il-sung.

Animism

The belief that inanimate objects such as plants or stones, or natural events such as thunderstorms and earthquakes have discrete spirits or conscious life. This is an African traditional religion.

Spiritism

The belief that the human personality continues to exist after death and can communicate with the living through the agency of a medium or psychic. Most followers reside in Brazil.

Judaism

The first recorded religion to espouse monotheism. Its name derives from Judah, one of Jacob's 12 sons.

Monotheism

The belief that there is only one God.

Polytheism

The worshipping of a collection of gods.