Major Religions: Key Points
Christianity
Type: Universal Monotheistic
Hearth: Middle East
Diffusion: Missionary diffusion through colonialism and globalization
Islam
Type: Universal Monotheistic
Hearth: Arabian Peninsula (Mecca + Medina in Saudi Arabia)
Diffusion: Relocation diffusion via trade routes and military conquests
Hinduisms
Type: Ethnic Polytheistic
Hearth: Indian subcontinent (India)
Diffusion: Contagious diffusion to Southeast Asia; limited outside its hearth
Buddhism
Type: Universal (non-theistic)
Hearth: Indian subcontinent (Northern India/Nepal)
Diffusion: Hierarchical and contagious diffusion to East and Southeast Asia
Judaism
Type: Ethnic Monotheistic
Hearth: Ancient Israel
Diffusion: Diaspora diffusion due to persecution and migration
Sikhism
Type: Universal Monotheistic
Hearth: Punjab region of South Asia (Northern India & Pakistan)
Diffusion: Relocation diffusion due to migration, especially in the 20th century.
Tribal/Indigenous Language:
Type: Ethnic Languages
Characteristics: Often tied to a specific cultural group and reflect unique cultural identities and traditions.
Hearth: Indigenous communities across various global regions (e.g., Native American tribes in North America, Aboriginal groups in Australia, etc.).
Diffusion: Typically remain localized, with some languages at risk of extinction due to globalization and assimilation pressures. Efforts for revitalization are ongoing in many communities.
Significance: Contributes to cultural diversity and heritage preservation, and provides insight into the history and worldview of indigenous peoples.
Christianity
Type: Universal Monotheistic
Hearth: Middle East
Diffusion: Missionary diffusion through colonialism and globalization
Islam
Type: Universal Monotheistic
Hearth: Arabian Peninsula (Mecca + Medina in Saudi Arabia)
Diffusion: Relocation diffusion via trade routes and military conquests
Hinduisms
Type: Ethnic Polytheistic
Hearth: Indian subcontinent (India)
Diffusion: Contagious diffusion to Southeast Asia; limited outside its hearth
Buddhism
Type: Universal (non-theistic)
Hearth: Indian subcontinent (Northern India/Nepal)
Diffusion: Hierarchical and contagious diffusion to East and Southeast Asia
Judaism
Type: Ethnic Monotheistic
Hearth: Ancient Israel
Diffusion: Diaspora diffusion due to persecution and migration
Sikhism
Type: Universal Monotheistic
Hearth: Punjab region of South Asia (Northern India & Pakistan)
Diffusion: Relocation diffusion due to migration, especially in the 20th century.
Tribal/Indigenous Language:
Type: Ethnic Languages
Characteristics: Often tied to a specific cultural group and reflect unique cultural identities and traditions.
Hearth: Indigenous communities across various global regions (e.g., Native American tribes in North America, Aboriginal groups in Australia, etc.).
Diffusion: Typically remain localized, with some languages at risk of extinction due to globalization and assimilation pressures. Efforts for revitalization are ongoing in many communities.
Significance: Contributes to cultural diversity and heritage preservation, and provides insight into the history and worldview of indigenous peoples.