APHG RELIGION NOTES

Hinduism

Ethnic and polytheistic religion, originating in South Asia.

Place of Worship in Hinduism

Temples and the Ganges River.

Varanasi Ghats

One of the holiest sites in Hinduism, series of steps leading to the Ganges River.

Hearth of Hinduism

South Asia.

Current Distribution of Hinduism

Major areas include India and Nepal; minor areas include the UK and USA.

Judaism

Ethnic and monotheistic religion, originating in SW Asia/Middle East.

Place of Worship in Judaism

Synagogue.

Western Wall

Holiest site in Judaism, the last remaining wall of the 2nd Temple of Jerusalem.

Hearth of Judaism

SW Asia / Middle East.

Current Distribution of Judaism

Major areas include Israel, USA, and Europe.

Islam

Universalizing and monotheistic religion, originating in SW Asia/Middle East.

Place of Worship in Islam

Mosque.

Dome of the Rock

Location where Muslims believe Mohammad ascended to heaven, located in Jerusalem.

Hearth of Islam

SW Asia / Middle East.

Current Distribution of Islam

Major areas include SW Asia, North Africa, and Indonesia.

Christianity

Universalizing and monotheistic religion, originating in SW Asia/Middle East.

Place of Worship in Christianity

Church, Basilica, cathedral.

Hearth of Christianity

SW Asia/Middle East.

Current Distribution of Christianity

Major areas include North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Buddhism

Universalizing religion with a focus on philosophy, originating in South Asia.

Hearth of Buddhism

South Asia.

Current Distribution of Buddhism

Major followers located in Southeast Asia and Japan.

Sikhism

Ethnic and monotheistic religion, originating in South Asia.

Place of Worship in Sikhism

Golden Temple of Amritsar.

Hearth of Sikhism

South Asia, specifically the Punjab Region of Northern India.

Confucianism

Ethnic philosophy originating in East Asia, particularly modern China.

Hearth of Confucianism

East Asia.

Current Distribution of Confucianism

Primarily in China.

Shintoism

Ethnic and polytheistic religion originating in Japan.

Place of Worship in Shintoism

Torii Gates.

Hearth of Shintoism

Japan.