Transcript Geog of Religion I

Chapter 5-3 Religion
 Religion, like language is a symbol of group
identity and a cultural rallying point.
 A binding force, if not tech advanced, set the
standards for eating habits/dress codes/ and other
rules of daily life.
 Like languages, religions change constantly with
the resistance from leaders and bureaucracies
 Religion diffusion takes place everywhere, no
cultural or language barriers
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Religion and Culture
• society with value system then turn into
religion with formal/informal worship and
faith in the sacred and divine.
• value of life in religions: observation in sharia
(Muslim), Torah(law of Moses), dharma
(teaching) in Hindu’s book of Manu, hkalsa is
Sikh’s holy community.
• Food (5.17)
• Religious culture character - shrines, stupas,
temple, cathedrals...Grottos, monasteries 2
• The monks of Shaolin Temple want the
world to back off a little. And there’re not
the sort of monks you want to anger. AP.
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Universalizing/Ethnic/Tribal
• Universalizing - Christianity, Islam, and
Buddhism
• Ethnic - Judaism, Hinduism, Shinto
• Tribal
– Animism - life exist in all objects
– Shamanism - shaman in a community
• World Pattern (5.18)
• Secularism - indifference to religion
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Judaism
• emerged 3000 to 4000 bp
• dispersed to Mediterranean and other Asia area by a.d.
500 (5.21). During Middle Age, split into two branches:
Sephardim(tie to N African and Babylonian Jews,
Ladino language), Ashkenaizim in E. Europe later
migrated to US during 19/20th centuries. Constitute
80% of Jews in the world today. equal number of Jews
in Israel.
• In Middle East and N. Africa, Russia, Ukraine,
Europe, N and S America.
• Three main branches - Orthodox, Conservative and Reform
• 18 million
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Christianity
• Christianity’s mission was conversion. expansion/hierarchical/contagious and later relocation
diffusion.
• Western Church - one of the very few stabilizing and
civilizing forces uniting western Europe during the Dark
Ages
• Eastern church based in Constantinople extended to
Balkans, eastern Europe and Russia
• Protestant emerged in 15/16th century, later spread to other
parts of the world.
• No success in missionary works in Asia from Catholic and
Protestant where strong ethnic religious cultural system
were barriers.
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Regions/Landscapes of Christianity
• 80% Canadian is one of the three major denominations and
85% of Americans belong to 20 different den.. (5.24,5.25)
• Churches and cathedrals in Christianity with cemetery, issue
in development of cities.
Northern Ireland
• Protestant vs. Catholic
• During British dependency, Protestant (mostly from
Scotland) immigrated into northeastern Ireland
• Protestant, constituting about 2/3 of the total population had
all the economic and political advantages.
• It is a conflict over access to opportunities, civil rights and
over political influence.
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Islam - “submission to the will of God”
• Koran - holy book. There is only one god occasionally reveals
himself through prophet, Jesus was such a prophet, only Allah
is pure. Muhammad, born in A.D. 571, Allah chose him to be
a prophet, this book contains the instructions on the conduct of
human affairs. The law of brotherhood unify Arab world.
“Expansion diffusion” spread Islam first later relocation diff.
brought it to Indonesia,S. Africa and western hemisphere
Observe “five pillars”
• 1) Repeated expressions of the basic creed, 2)frequent prayer
3)a month of daytime fasting 4)almsgiving
• 5) at least one pilgrimage to Mecca
• Other Rules: 1) No alcohol, smoking, and gambling
• 2) Polygamy was tolerated, but monogamy was preferred
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Islam
• Sunni (80%) recognize the first four caliphs
(successor) as Mohammed’s rightful
successors. Shi’ites reject the first three and
only the fourth (Ali) is recognized.
• Friday communal service for male
• Orthodox Sunni
• Practicality and Earthly
knowledge
• Family and community
help you solve problems
• Shiite minority (13%) Shiah centered in Iran
• Idealism and the
supernatural
• Imam - sole source of
true knowledge
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• Mosques - elaborate, ornate, and magnificently designed
• Muslim architecture represents the unifying concept of
Islamic monotheism: the perfection and vastness of the
spirit of Allah
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America’s Black Muslims, or
Nation of Islam
• W.D. Fard built “Nation of Islam” in 30s to free American
Black from white oppression
• Elijah Muhammad brought new strength to the Nation of
Islam, his son Wallace Muhammad strengthened tie with
African and Caribbean countries and changed name to
American Muslim Mission
• Ideology of the Nation of Islam - mixture of nationalism
and a modified form of Islam
• Malcom X led the Nation to a national visibility
• Mosques - largest temples in New York and LA
• 1995 Million Man March
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Muslim Population in the US
• Three types of Muslims:a)Immigrants b)Converted c) born
to the first two groups
Ethnic
African Am.
S Asian
Pop(x1,000)
2,100
1,220
%
42
24.4
Arab
Africans
Iranians
Turks
SE Asians
Am Whites
E Europeans
Other
620
260
180
120
100
80
40
280
12.4
5.2
3.6
2.4
2.0
1.6
0.8
5.6
Total
5,000
100
Def.
Af.Am
Indian/ Pakistan/
Bangladesh, Afghan
Source: American Muslim Council
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