Transcript Religion and Politics in the World

Religion and Politics in the World
• What is Religion?
1.
Religion = system of beliefs
that seek to understand our
origins, human existence
2. Religions usually have some
form of deity or deities.
3. There are two basic forms of
religion—Monotheism and
Polytheism.
4. Monotheism- The belief in
only one god.
5. Polytheism- The belief in
many gods.
Why study religion?
Religion and Politics in the World
• Why study religion in the world?
▫ Influences everyday life & decisions
▫ Influences politics
▫ Globalization  interaction of cultures
Religion and Politics in the World
• Fundamentalism in the Modern
World
1.
Fundamentalism = return to
traditional beliefs
1. Literal interpretation of
2.
beliefs
Against modernization of
religion
2. The end of the Twentieth
Century witnessed a
resurgence of religious
fundamentalism in the world.
3. This means that different
religious groups are pushing
traditional values onto world
politics.
4. The danger is in the fact that
there is a great diversity of
religions in the world.
5. Clash of religious
fundamentalism has led to
violence.
Religion and Politics in the World
• The Polytheisms of the World
1.
There are many polytheistic
religions in the world.
2. There are hundreds of
religions which are known as
animistic.
3. Animism- the belief that
animals, plants, and other
natural objects posses souls
which can interact with
humans.
Religion and Politics in the World:
World Polytheisms
• Most modern Animistic
Religions are found in SubSaharan Africa.
Religion and Politics: Part II- World
Polytheisms
• Animism and Tribal Structure
1.
In tribal animism, religious
beliefs are very important to
government.
2. In most tribes, it is believed
that the spirits of nature and
those of ancestors can
interact with the existing
world.
3. Therefore, using religion in
tribal politics is very
common.
Religion and Politics: Hinduism
• Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
• Caste system, karma, reincarnation
• Moksha
1.
In the past, Hinduism has
effected the governments of
India and who can serve
where.
2. No where was this clearer
than in the caste system.
3. However, India has had a
democracy for the last 65
years, and the caste system
no longer bans participation
in government.
Religion and Politics: Buddhism
• Buddhism
1.
Buddhism is difficult to
describe as either
monotheistic or polytheistic.
2. It began as a philosophy of
life not an actual religion.
3. However, over the centuries
it has evolved into the largest
religion of Eastern Asia.
4. There is approximately 350
million Buddhists in the
world.
Religion and Politics in the World:
Buddhism
Religion and Politics in the World
• Buddhism and Politics
1.
In modern times, Buddhism
has not controlled national
governments.
2. However, Buddhism has
played key roles in
movements towards social
justice and equality—
especially in east Asia.
Religion and Politics in the World
• Monotheisms of the World
1.
The three great
monotheisms of the world
include: Judaism, Islam, and
Christianity.
2. All three of these religions
originated in the area we
know today as Palestine.
3. Christianity is the largest
religion in the world, and
Islam is the fastest growing
religion.
4. The two make-up over onethird of the world’s
population.
Religion and Politics in the World:
World Monotheism
Religion and Politics in the World:
World Monotheisms
• Judaism
1.
Judaism is the world’s oldest
surviving monotheism.
2. It originated in Eastern
Mediterranean around
2,000 B.C.E.
3. Jews claim that their first
prophet was Abraham.
4. The traditional home of the
Hebrews was Palestine.
5. However, beginning in 73
C.E. the Romans forced the
Jewish Diaspora.
Covenant – mutual
agreement between the
Hebrew people and God
Hebrews enslaved in Egypt
Moses – led Hebrews out of
slavery
10 Commandments – God’s laws for Hebrew
people
Exodus – time wandering Sinai peninsula
between leaving Egypt and locating the
“promised land” - Palestine
Torah = book of
religious teachings,
origins
Beliefs of Judaism
Sabbath (holy
day) is Saturdays
• Teachers & religious leaders are
Rabbis
• Religious meeting place is a
synagogue or temple
• A Yamulke is a head covering
worn out of respect for God
Mezuzah
Yarmulke
Star of David
Talmud
Tallit
Prayer Shawl
Rabbi
Kingdom of Israel
• Saul, David, Solomon
• Holy (capital) city = Jerusalem
• Solomon’s temple
The temple was built to glorify God and house
the Ark of the covenant.
Captivity of the Jews
•
•
•
•
Kingdom of Israel divides
Conquered by Chaldeans – temple destroyed
Conquered by Persians – temple rebuilt
Under Roman rule, temple destroyed again
The surviving wall of the Jewish temple in
Jerusalem
Religion and Politics in the World
1.
• The Diaspora
The movement of Jews
throughout Europe, Africa,
and Asia led to further
persecutions.
2. The culmination of these
persecutions occurred in
the 20th Century—The
Holocaust.
3. Due to these persecutions
many Jews sought to return
to Palestine after nearly
2,000 years of expulsion.
(Zionism)
Religion and Politics in the World:
World Monotheisms 1. Christianity has its
• The Development of
Christianity
foundations in Judaism.
2. Shortly before the Diaspora,
Christianity arose as a new
branch of the old Jewish
tradition. (the belief in a
Messiah)
3. Initially, Christians faced
persecution from the Roman
Empire.
4. However, in the 4th century
C.E. Emperor Constantine
made the practice accepted.
Jesus of Nazareth
Beliefs of Christianity
• One God
▫ Holy Trinity (three in one)
• Salvation
Sabbath
(holy day)
= Sunday
Beliefs of Christianity
• Divisions
▫ Roman Catholic Church
▫ Eastern Orthodox Church
▫ Protestant churches
• Leaders & teachers
▫ Pope, bishops, cardinals
(Cath.)
▫ Priests
▫ Reverends
▫ Pastors
• Holidays
▫ Christmas
▫ Easter
• Rituals – sacraments
(baptism, communion, etc.)
Religion and Politics in the World
Spread of
Christianity
through 600 C.E.
Religion and Politics in the World:
World Monotheisms
• Christianity in the Middle East
1.
A Coptic
ChristianTraditional
Christianity
in Egypt
Although Christianity
became the religion of the
Romans and later Europe,
there are significant
numbers of Christians in
Asia and Africa.
2. They, like the Jews, view
Palestine as the holy land.
(Crusades)
3. Christians in the Middle
East: Protestants, Roman
Catholics, Copts, Greek
Orthodox.
Religions and Politics in the World:
World Monotheism
• Jews, Christians, and Muslims all believe
Palestine to be holy and Jerusalem to be its most
important city.
View of modern
Jerusalem
The Arabian Peninsula
• Mostly desert
• Few oases of fertile land for agriculture
• Crossroads of three continents: Africa, Europe, Asia
Early Inhabitants
Bedouins  Arab nomads
Tribes & groups called clans
Provided security & support
Ideals of courage & loyalty to family
600s – Arabs settled near oases or markets
Origins of Islam
Muhammad – Meccan
businessman
Received revelation from
angel Gabriel outside
the Cave of Hira in 610
Proclaim! In the name of they Lord
and Cherisher, who created man out
of a mere) clot of congealed blood.
Proclaim! And thy Lord is most
bountiful. He who taught (the use
of) the pen taught man that which he knew not.
He was one of the prophets
Mecca
Important trade city
Ka’aba  ancient shrine (Black Rock)
Brought religious pilgrims for worship
Associated w/Abraham
Contained over 360 idols, worship of many gods
Religion of Islam
Arabic term for God = Allah
Islam = “submission to the will of Allah”
Muslim = “one who has submitted”
Abraham’s Genealogy
HAGAR
ABRAHAM
Ishmael
12 Arabian
Tribes
SARAH
Isaac
Jacob
12 Tribes of
Israel
Esau
The Prophetic Tradition
Adam
Noah
Abraham
Moses
Jesus
Muhammad
The Hijrah
• 622 - migrated from Mecca to Yathrib – known as
the Hijrah
• Yathrib was renamed Medina
• It is from this year that the Muslim calendar begins
(1 A.H.)
• Attracted many
followers in Medina
Return to Mecca (630 AD)
• Muhammad became military leader – conquered
Mecca
• Umma = Muslim religious community
• Muhammad died at age 62 w/no plans for his
succession
The golden gate outside
Muhammad’s tomb
Swords belonging to Prophet
Muhammad
The Dome of the Rock
The Five Pillars
The World
of Islam
1
2
3
4
5
The Five Pillars of Islam
1) Shahada – “there is no God
but Allah and Muhammad
is the messenger of Allah”
2) Salat – Pray 5x’s a day facing
Mecca
3) Zakat – almsgiving to the poor & sick
4) Sawm – fasting during Ramadan
Festival of Eid-Al-Fitr –
celebration at end of Ramadan
5) Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca
Mosque = Islamic house of worship
The Mosque
The Muslim place of worship.
The Qur’an
Muslims believe it contains the
word of God.
114 suras (chapters)
In the name of Allah,
the compassionate,
the merciful.
Written
in Arabic.
Islamic Way of Life
• Sunna – Muhammad’s example as
model for proper living
• Shari’a = Islamic body of law
• No priests – only authority is Allah
• Purpose of serving the community
• No pork, alcohol
• Ramadan
• sheikh (Sunni),
imam (Shi'ite)
The Spread of Islam
Easy to learn and practice
No priesthood
Teaches equality
Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of
the Book,” were allowed religious
freedom, but paid additional taxes
Easily “portable”  nomads & trade
routes
Jihad - inner struggle against evil
Term has been used differently over time (different
interpretations, understandings).
Muslims in the World
Today
Countries with the Largest Muslim
Population
1. Indonesia
183,000,000
6. Iran
62,000,000
2. Pakistan
134,000,000
7. Egypt
59,000,000
3. India
121,000,000
8. Nigeria
53,000,000
4. Bangladesh
114,000,000
9. Algeria
31,000,000
10. Morocco
29,000,000
5. Turkey
66,000,000
* Arabs make up only 20% of the total
Muslim population of the world.
Muslim Split
• Disagreement over Muhammad’s successors
Sunni
Shi’a
Believe that first four caliphs
were “Rightly Guided”
Believe that Ali should have
succeeded Muhammad
Muslim rulers should follow
the Sunna
All Muslim rulers should be
descended from Muhammad;
don’t recognize the Sunna
Claim that the Shi’a distorted Claim that the Sunni have
the meaning of passages in the distorted the meaning of
Qur’an
passages in the Qur’an
Majority of Muslims
Minority of Muslims