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Chapter 6

Religion

PPT by Abe Goldman

An Introduction to Human GeographyThe Cultural Landscape, 8e

James M. Rubenstein

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Stonehenge(England)

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K-1 Distribution of Religions Geographers are interested in religions because it is

essential for understanding…Helps us see how humans occupy and use the

Earth…and influences migration & interaction ***ALSO…possible conflicts EX?EXPLAIN following terms/phrases using EX’s if askedUniversalizing religion: relig. that tries to “fit” all

different kinds of ppl into it…has various ethnicities w/in it; seeks out converts from other cultures

3 major univer.: Christianity Islam BuddhismEthnic religion: mainly 1 type of pop. in 1 place -Largest? Hinduism (see temples next slide ) -1 very important? Judaism WHY? Foundation of 2

lgest world relig.: Christianity & Islam

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branch of a religion: large division in relig w/ basic (fundamental) differences

EX’s: Christn.: Catholics, Protestants, East.Orthodox Islam: Sunni & Shi’a Buddh.: Mayhayanist, Theravadist

**rites of passage: events marking change of status (often from child to adult) w/in a religion or

culture… -often marked by age, hormonal changes, or births EX: bar mitzvah, quinceanera, graduation, “debs”sacred space: areas set aside for uses such as

religious services, burial of the dead, etc. EX’s? *cities (Jerusalem) *landmark (Kabbah) *buildings (church, synagogue, mosque) *ground (cemetery) *tree (Bodh-Gaya, spot of Buddha’s Enlightenment *settlement (monastery, etc.)

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Synagogues: Slovakia, Hungary, Jerusalem

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Buddhist temples

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Eastern Orthodoxy

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**proselytizing: religion that seeks out converts from other cultures, often w/ missionaries, etc.

-similar to universalizing EX: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism**tenets: important beliefs of a group; ideas a religion

or philosophy is based on EX: --Monotheism; -- Virgin birth; --Buddha gained Enlightenment -- Islam’s no “graven images” = no pic’s in

mosquesHierarchical vs. Autonomous religion: Hier.: defined, organized territories w/ local units EX: Catholicism w/ Pope, cardinals, archbishops,

bishops, local priests…each over a defined regionAut.: Self-sufficient…may join in loose organizations

w/other churches, etc., but basically have their own rules, tenets, etc.

EX: Islam; several Protestant denominations

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World Distribution of Religions: World religions by continent

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World Population by Religion

Over two-thirds of the world’s population belong to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. Christianity is the single largest world religion.

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Map on P. 184-185 :

a) 4 mainly Catholic areas & 2 countries (or regions) there:

--Western Europe: Italy….what else? --Central Africa Dem. Rep. of Congo, Rep. of Congo… --Lat. America…….All Central Amer., S. Amer., Carib. --NE USA + E & SE Canada --Also SW USAb) 2 areas where Eastern Orthodox “denominations” are

dominate? (are 14 different ones) E. Africa (Horn) Eastern Europe/& near areas of Asia -4 largest of these: Russian (40%), Romanian (20%),

Greek (10%) , Bulgaria (10%) (also Serbian-10%)-2 of the newest of these: Albania, Cyprus, Georgia,

Poland, Sinai-Country that’s part of the Horn of Africa & is heavily

Eastern Orthodox? Ethiopia- Religion that makes up the rest of this country? Islam

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(continue using p. 184-5)

c) areas w/ Muslim religions: Middle East; N. Africa; SE Asian (Indonesia/Malaysia); some of Central/S. Asia (Pakistan, Turkmenistan, etc.)

2 main Muslims denominations: Sunni & Shi’aLarger by far: Sunni ….about 5X larger than Shi’a

(aka Shiite) (“Sunni” = orthodox) Shi’a: mainly in Iran (90% Shi’a) & Iraq (about 60%)d) Continent w/ most diversity in relig.: Africa (S-S)2 reasons why it’s probably true:

colonialism/imperialism; harsh geography = isolation in some areas; nearness to 2 proselytizing religions (S-S = majority Christian)

e) 2 areas where Buddhists dominate: East Asia, SE Asia (Indochina part…Vietnam, Thailand,

etc.)3 large (in population) Buddhist countries: China,

Japan, S. Korea

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Main Buddhist Branches: From religioustolerance.org

NOTE: See hand-out…no need to copy…

Mahayana (56%..mostly China, Japan, Korea): not for individual perfection, keep others from suffering, -compassion, selflessness, wisdom, & servitude (serving others) …vow NOT to enter Nirvana, but try to reach Enlightenment. Big concept: service

Theravada (38%..mostly SE Asia…Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar/Burma/Sri Lanka, Thailand):

-oldest form: & Monks focus on a personal goal to become an arhat – (enlightened person w/o worldly desires or suffering),

Big concept: using meditation & study to gain personal insight…each is on his/her own

Tantrayana (6%..Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, SW China, Nepal, N. India, Russia):

Verbal repetition of mantras (special ritual phrases) to clear the mind & connect to the spiritual….most famous mantra: "Om mani padme hum."

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Tantrayana uses…. Mani wheels -- prayer wheels – w/ printed repetitions of

mantra; spinning the wheel releases the mantra to the universe.

Various yoga techniques, including breath control, picture of a series of nested geometrical shapes, and Mudras, a symbolic gesture made w/ the hand or fingers

Visual aids (like mandalas) to help the person awaken their spiritual potential.

Other symbolic tools or musical instruments: • vaira (thunderbolt)• ghanta (bell)• phurba (ritual dagger)• damaru (hand drum), etc.• specialized rituals rooted in Vajrayāna cosmology and beliefsChela (student) … a guru (teacher), who gradually releases

hidden or inner knowledge to the initiate thru oral teachings given by a master.

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Diffusion of IslamIslam diffused rapidly & widely from its area of origin in Arabia. It

eventually stretched from southeast Asia to West Africa.

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• Cairo, Egypt Iraq Shi’a (bombed by Sunnis) Oman

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Diffusion of Buddhism

Buddhism diffused gradually from its origin in NE India to Sri Lanka, SE Asia, & eventually China & Japan.

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Statue of Buddha

Hong Kong, China

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Buddha Japan, bronze & gold gilding Buddha, Tibet (Shakyamuni)

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Buddha on lotus Smiling Buddha (China)

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Buddha, Thailand…All these show how a universalizing religion molds the religion to fit that culture

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• Deities: Buddha is not believed to be a god; some ppl in some branches (espec. Mahayanists) do believe in “God”; but it is not necessary to “define” god to them; mostly see “blessed” as being saints

• Cosmogony: varies w/ branch, but mainly we’re on Earth to learn suffering & search for Truth (enlightenment). If we reach it we can go to a higher place…..& avoid reincarnation

• Hearth: NE India & Nepal

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Map on p. 186: Europe:a) Countries mainly Lutheran? Iceland, Norway,

Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Estoniab) The 3 Calvinist areas? Scotland, N.

Switzerland, N. Ireland *What we call most Calvinists in USA:

Presbyteriansc) prominent Catholic countries: Italy, Austria,

France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain "Eastern border" Catholic countries: Hungary,

Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Rep., Latvia, Lithuania

d) Eastern Europe: Most are what Christn. branch? Eastern Orthodoxy

Main denomination of Russia & the Ukraine? Russian Orthodox Greece? Greek Orthodox

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Christian Branches in Europe

Protestant denominations, Catholicism, & Eastern Orthodoxy are dominant in different regions of Europe—a result of many historic interactions.

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Christian Branches in the U.S.

Fig. 6-3: Distribution of Christians in the U.S. Shaded areas are counties with more than 50% of church membership concentrated in Roman Catholicism or one of the Protestant denominations.

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Religions of the U.S.

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Denomination: a division of a branch -unites a # of local congregations (groups that gather) into

one group• EX’s: Southern Baptists; Episcopalians;

Presbyterians; Methodists Sect: fairly small group that has broken away from a

denomination• EX’s: -the Mormon polygamists -Freewill Baptists or Fire-baptized BaptistSome sects are considered to be “cults” if they deal

more w/ over-controlling ppl’s behaviors & have behaviors that greatly vary from the “norm”

EX’s: David Koresh & the Branch Davidians broke from the First Assembly of God Denom. (Waco, TX)

Note: “cult” actually just means extreme devotion & devout religion…now has a different idea recently

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Map p. 187: USA:

a) 2 main denominations in the Great Lakes areas? Lutheran, Roman Catholic

b) Main denomination of N.E. USA: Roman Catholicc) What’s dark green indicate? Methodist

-Where are the large pockets of these? W.VA,

MD, CO, Kansas, Ohiod) Main denomination of S.E. USA: Baptiste) 4 states where you find the most Mormons? Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho -Which state is dominated by Mormons? Utah *What’s the official name of the Mormon church? Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints

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Place Names in Québec

Place names in Québec show the impact of religion on the landscape. Many cities and towns Are named after saints.

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P. 208: Roman Catholic Hierarchy in U.S.

The Catholic Church divides the U.S. into provinces headed by archbishops. Provinces are divided into dioceses,

headed by bishops.

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Religious Conflicts (p. 207)

Taliban (Afghanistan) vs. Western values:

-Issues: women; kites? Soccer; TVHinduism vs. Social equality: caste

system

-Aryans took over about 1500 BCE & established 4 levels based on social position + $ (econ.)…also “untouchables”

-legally is gone…but still see prejudicesReligion vs. communism

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Notes on Communism vs. religions (p.208):

Commun. basically hostile (rejecting) of religion;

-often didn’t “punish”, but rewarded those against

USSR: Eastern Orthodoxy + Islam mainly affected

China: Mainly Buddhism …also some Islam & Christian

-Tibetan Bud. Shrines destroyed; Laos & Cambodia also had shrines, statues destroyed

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Conflict in Mid-East:Israelis vs. Palestinians: In former “Palestine”, now IsraelJerusalem is a big part of this conflicta) 3 religions that view this city as holy:

(p. 210-11) Judaism, Christianity, IslamPart of Europe held for yrs by

Muslims: Spain/Portg. (Iberian Peninsula) + part of W.

France… & some of SE Europe (that’s why there are Muslims in Bosnia, etc….the B_____ Region)

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How Jerusalem is “Holy City” for 3 “Semitic relig.:

Judaism Christianity Islam . Abraham + Sara = Isaac Abra. + Hagar = Ishmael

Wall of 2nd Temple Dome of the Rock

“Rock” = where Abra. Muslim’s 3rd holiest city

took Isaac Muslim Quarter

Wailing Wall

Jewish Quarter - (Also W-W)

-Church of the Holy

Sepulcher

-various “patriarchates”

(Gk.Orth., Cath.,

Coptic, & Ethiopian)

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Jerusalem

The Old City of Jerusalem contains holy sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

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4 quarters of Jerusa.? Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Armenian

Why Jerusalem has 4 quarters: -J: West areas: historically has been Jewish majority -Arab: Palestinians majority in Old City, (NE) … -borders Jordan & was part of Jordan once -Armenian: for last 1000 yrs. E. Orthodoxy

patriarchate -smallest of 4 quart. (is Chr. but separ. from Chr. Qu.)

-Chr.: Remains from Catholic Crusades The Crusades: (209) 150 yrs. of “Holy wars” by Chr.

to take Holy Land from Muslim “infidels” *1099: Chr. took Jerusalem *1187 Musl. took it *1229 Christians *1244 Muslims

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e) Jews vs. Muslims in Palestine: (p. 210-12)-Palestine/Jerusalem = area between Sinai Pen. &

Lebanon…-Ottoman Turks held (1516 till defeat in WWI

(1917)-1919: League of Nat. gave to Grt. Britain to control -Zionist movement: turn of 20th century…Jews

began trying to return Why Jews (ethnic religion usually won’t migrate

much), migrated out…& name of this migration? Diaspora : occurred b/c Jews attempted to

overthrow Romans, -Romans forced them out of their homeland

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Boundary Changes in Palestine/Israel

The UN partition plan for Palestine in 1947 contrasted w/ the boundaries that were established after the 1948–49 War. Major changes later resulted from the 1967 War (7-day War).

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West Bank: Political & Physical Geography

Political control of the West Bank is split between Palestinians & Israelis (mainly Israeli control). W-B includes many of regions higher altitude

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Section of Israeli Security Barrier:A typical section of the security barrier built by Israel

in the West Bank.

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Israel’s Security Zone in LebanonIsrael established a security zone in S. Lebanon in 1982. When Israel withdrew in 2000, UN helped draw the boundary between the countries.

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Mecca, Islam’s Holiest City

Makah (Mecca) is the holiest city in Islam and is the site of pilgrimage for millions of Muslims each year. There are numerous holy sites in the city. 3 Islamic holiest cities:1: Makah2. Medina3. Jerusalem

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Mecca, with Kabbah in center…Note minarets…

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Makkah during the Haj PilgrimageThe Ka’ba stands at the center of the Great Mosque (al-

Haran al Sharif) in Makkah.

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The Kabbah (kabah) in Mecca, Islam’s holiest shrine

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11) Religious wars in Ireland: Most troublesome boundary in W. Europe… “The troubles…”

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Ireland: Protestant Christians vs. Catholic Christians

Protestants vs. Catholics: Ireland (Eire) was Catholic & then taken over by Protestant England centuries ago…& part of UK in 1801

Eire wanted independence—esp. after the 1840’s (why?....horror of the famine anger, etc.)

Began to organize & fight in late 1800’s into early in 20th cent.

-1921: became self-governing (still part of UK)-1937: full independence… Republic of Ireland

declared 1949Rep. of Ire. = peaceful…but N. Ireland has

Protestant majority that has kept Catholics from higher paying jobs & out of schools, areas, etc., & demonstrations began in 1960’s

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N. Ireland: Calvinist & Anglican (Episcopalian)-IRA: Irish Republican Army; militant group that

fights for unification of R.I & N. Ireland (freedom fighters or terrorists?)

-UDF: Ulster Defense Forces: militant Protestant extremists

-most of both sides in N. Ireland have always wanted peace, but extremists push their ideas

(sound familiar??) Recently have decided to lay down arms… What world events influenced this?

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Protestants in Northern Ireland

% Protestant population by district in Ireland, 1911. When Ireland became independent in 1937, 26 northern districts w/ large Protestant populations chose to remain part of the UK.

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“All gave some. Some gave all…”

Post-ceasefire mural, Protestant West Belfast

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Diffusion of Universalizing Religions: Each of the 3 main universalizing religions diffused

widely from its hearth

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Diffusion of Christianity: Christianity diffused from Palestine thru the Roman Empire & continued diffusing thru Europe after the fall of Rome. Later was replaced by Islam much of the Mideast & North

Africa.

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Shinto: Ethnic religion of Japan that involves reverence their ancestors

• Also believes some parts of nature have spirits & are sacred

Sikhism: Monotheistic religion of the Punjab in India

• Blends some aspects of Islam, Christianity, & Hinduism

• Know **Monotheism vs. polytheism

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• Sikhism is concentrated in the Punjab of India, the hearth of Sikhism

• Irredentism: 2 states arguing over a region…both claim it…EX: Jammu & Kashmir

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The Golden Temple in Amritsar (Darbar Sahib): India is the holiest structure for Sikhism.

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Shinto & Buddhism in Japan

Since Japanese can be both Shinto & Buddhist, are many areas in Japan where over 2/3 of the population are both Shinto & Buddhist…..co-exist peacefully…

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Organization of Space:

3. Places of worship

4. Sacred space:

5. Disposing of the dead, Religious settlements, & Religious toponyms names

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Holy Sites in BuddhismMost holy sites in Buddhism are locations of important events in Buddha’s life & are clustered in NE India &

Southern Nepal.

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Buddhist Temple

Bodh Gaya, India

The Buddha reached Enlightenment here under abo tree

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Ritual Bathing in the Ganges River:Hindu pilgrims achieve purification by bathing in the

Ganges.

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Hindu Holy PlacesHierarchy of Hindu holy places: Some sites are holy to Hindus throughout India. Others have a regional or sectarian importance, or are important only locally.

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Cremation near Taj Mahal

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Baha’i Temple in UgandaBaha’i has at least 1 temple on each continent…

It is a u_____ or a p_____ religion

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Religion Overview: (E = ethnic… U = universalizing… Cir. = around)3 Main Religions from India: • Hindu (oldest—cir. 3500 BCE) polytheistic E• Buddhism (cir. 500 BCE) U• Sikhism (cir. 1500 CE) monotheistic U3 Semitic Religions (from Semites = Jews…Hamidic = Arab) ALL 3 are monotheistic• Judaism (cir. 3000 BCE) E• Christianity (cir. 35 CE) U• Islam (cir. 560 CE) U

(…..END…..)

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Buddhism:• Deities: Buddha is not believed to be a god; some

ppl in some branches (espec. Mahayanists) do believe in “God”; but it is not necessary to “define” god to them; mostly see “blessed” as being saints

• Cosmogony: varies w/ branch, but mainly we’re on Earth to learn suffering & search for Truth (enlightenment). If we reach it we can go to a higher place…..& avoid reincarnation

• Hearth: NE India & NepalBranches & Denominations: 1. Theravada: We are here to reach our own

salvation thru isolated meditations, etc. (monks, etc.; no priests); in SE Asia, Sri Lanka

2. Mahayana: Thru serving others & helping we can reach enlightenment (China, Japan, Korea)

3. Tantrayana: Mahayana style in Tibet & Mongolia

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Areas in the world today: Ma.: China, E. Asia (Japan, Korea) Ther.: SE Asia (Vietnam, Thai., etc.) Tan.: Tibet, Mongolia

Sacred texts: Theravada scriptures: “baskets” of law

Mahayana sutras & Tripitakas: writings thought to be words of the Buddha

Sacred places: Places related to events in Buddha’s life

• Lumbini: his birth • Bodh Gaya (& tree he was under): attained

enlightenment• Deer Park in Sarnath, his 1st sermon• Kusinagara: he died & achieved Nirvana,

peaceful extinction

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Sacred buildings: Temples, pagodasUniversalizing/global: Yes (1 of 3 largest)% of the world population: 6%

Rituals/rites: Varies w/ groups; These are NOT strict observances

• Birth: baby “registered” at local templesprinkled w/ holy watercandle wax dripped into water bowl = joining 4

elements: water, earth. air, fire• Adulthood: none specific to age…varies w/

cultures• Marriage: some areas: think it’s bad luck for

monk to attend; but most think it’s OK; bride + groom at temple, & “thread ceremony” (read)

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• Death: • Theravada: reincarnation of the dharma of

each person…the balance of good & evil; cremate dead as Buddha was; monks visit family & chant to comfort

• Mahayana: just after death, person is in a 4 day trance…

1st Bardo: monks can communicate w/ dead thru chants, etc.; dead sees bright light …if embrace will be free of rebirth, but most fear it & are reborn (doesn’t know he I dead)

2nd Bardo: person sees thoughts & events in life & knows he is dead

3rd Bardo: Now free to choose new parents & new identity

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APHG: REVIEWING FOR EXAM ON CH. 1-3: 1. 3 types of regions: 12. Pop.pyramids2. types of diffusion 13. emigration..immigration3. GPS/GIS, etc. 14. Asian immigr. To USA4. elements of culture 15. Europ. immig.to USA5. lat./long.: using it….hi/mid/lo6. globalization concepts 16. Euro. immigration7. 3 Types of density 17. US interregional8. characteristics of MDC’s 18. Latino imm. to USA & LDC’s 19. urban/rural migr.9. demographics: TFR, IMR, 20. encouraging migra.?CDR, CBR, NIR, life expect., 21. push/pull/obstacles…literacy rate, etc….10. doubling time: inversely proportional to what???11. Stages 1…2…3…4…characteristics of each?

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CH. 4: Pop vs. Folk Culture • Custom: performed by grp.

of ppl.; habit by an individual• US, Great Britain, France,

Soviet Union• Middle Atlantic "I" house• China; taboo against pork

consumption by Hindus• France; Brazil• popular customs: invented

in known time, place, ppl, etc folk customs: anonymous

source, unknown date, unknown originator

7. popular customs diffuse rapidly, extensively, & thru modern communications; folk customs diffuse more slowly, at a smaller scale, & thru migration (reloc. diff.)

8. b; c; a9. recognition generates higher

consumption10. loss of traditional values; fear domination by W.

nations 11. True12. False13. True14. False15. True16. False17. False18. False19. True20. False 21. False22.True 23. False24. True 25. True

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CH. 5 Lang. Review:26. migration from Britain to the American colonies27. isolation of the newly independent U.S. from Britain28. Belgium; Flemish or Dutch; French29. Indo-European; Romance; Spanish; Portuguese30. Indo-European31. Sino-Tibetan32. Germanic; Romance; Slavic or Balto-Slavic33. first speakers of Indo-European language34. vocabulary; spelling; pronunciation35. Afro-Asiatic; Arabic36. False 37. True38. True 39. True40. True 41. False42. True 43. True44. False 45. False46. False 47. True48. True 49. False 50. True

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CH. 6: Religions Review:1. universalizing: holidays revolve around events in founder's

life ethnic: holidays revolve around agricultural calendar2. Hinduism; India3. Buddhism4. Christianity; Protestantism; Roman Catholicism; Eastern

Orthodoxy5. Sunni; Shiite 6. Shiite 7. c; a; d; b8. Roman Catholic; Protestant9. Israel; Egypt, Syria, Jordan; Egypt10. a. Buddhism b. Daoism (aka Taoism) c. Shinto d. Confucianism --people often follow more than one religion11. True 12. True 13. True14. False 15. False 16. True17. False 18. False 19. False20. False 21. True 22. False23. True 24. False 25. False