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Chapter 6
Religion
Issue 2: Variations in Distribution of Religions
Play Video
Carl Sagan on Religion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBCFQtDLPA0
1)
According to Carl Sagan, man is ego-centric, how is this
evidenced in the video?
2)
Does Carl Sagan believe in God?
According to Carl Sagan, humans developed “God” for
what purpose(s)?
3)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Parent figure
Order out of Chaos
Egocentrism
A,B, and C
None of the Above
Origin of Religions
Universalizing
religions have precise
places of origin,
based on events in
the life of a man.

Ethnic religions have
unknown or unclear
origins, not tied to
single historical
individuals.
*Note: All three Universalizing religions originated in Asia (Southwest Asia and South Asia)
Origin of Other Universalizing Religions

The founder of Sikhism, Guru
Nanak, traveled widely through
South Asia around 500 years
ago preaching his new faith,
and many people became his
Sikhs, which is the Hindi word
for disciples.

When it was established in
Iran during the nineteenth
century, Bahá’l provoked
strong opposition from Shiite
Muslims.

The Bãb was executed in
1850, as were 20,000 of his
followers.
Origin of Islam


Islam traces their story to the
same narrative as Judaism
and Christianity. All three
religions consider Adam to
have been the first man and
Abraham to have been one of
his descendents.
Jews and Christians trace their
story through Abraham’s
original wife and son, Sarah
and Isaac. Muslims trace their
story through his second wife
and son, Hagar and
Ishmael…Muhammad is a
descendant of Ishmael.
Origin of Hinduism, an Ethnic Religion

Unlike the universalizing religions,
Hinduism did not originate with a
specific founder.

Hinduism existed prior to recorded
history.

Aryan tribes from Central Asia
invaded India about 1400 B.C. and
brought their religion.

Centuries of intermingling with the
Dravidians already living in the area
modified their religious beliefs.
Diffusion of Christianity
Relocation
Diffusion
Fig. 6-5: Christianity diffused from Palestine through the Roman Empire and continued diffusing through Europe
after the fall of Rome. It was later replaced by Islam in much of the Mideast and North Africa.
Diffusion of Islam
Fig. 6-6: Islam diffused rapidly and widely from its area of origin in Arabia. It eventually
stretched from southeast Asia to West Africa.
Diffusion of Buddhism
Fig. 6-7: Buddhism diffused gradually from its origin in northeastern India to Sri Lanka, southeast
Asia, and eventually China and Japan.
Mingling of Ethnic and Universalizing
Religions

Universalizing religions may
supplant ethnic religions or
mingle with them.

Equatorial Guinea, a former
Spanish colony, is mostly
Roman Catholic, whereas
Namibia, a former German
colony, is heavily Lutheran.

Elsewhere, traditional
African religious ideas and
practices have been
merged with Christianity.
Shintoism and Buddhism in Japan
Fig. 6-8: Since Japanese can be both Shinto and *Buddhist, there are many areas in Japan where
over two-thirds of the population are both Shinto and Buddhist.
*Note: Adherents of Buddhism are also likely to believe in other religions simultaneously.
The Calendar

An ethnic religion typically
has holidays based on the
distinctive physical
geography of the homeland.

In universalizing religions,
major holidays relate to
events in the life of the founder
rather than to the changing
seasons of one particular place.

A prominent feature of ethnic religions is celebration of the seasons.

Rituals are performed to pray for favorable environmental conditions
or to give thanks for past success.
Holy Places

For an ethnic religion holy places derive from the distinctive physical environment of
its hearth, such as mountains, rivers, or rock formations.

A universalizing religion endows with holiness cities and other places associated with
the founder’s life.

Making a pilgrimage to these holy places is incorporated into the rituals of some
universalizing and ethnic religions.
Sikhism’s most holy structure, the Darbar Sahib,
or Golden Temple
Militant Sikhs used the Golden Temple as a base for launching
attacks in support of greater autonomy during the 1980s.
Judaism’s Western Wall, or Wailing Wall
This wall is the remains of the great Jewish temple, which had
stood for close to 500 years. It is thought by Jews to be the most
sacred of places, because the temple itself was thought to be the
place where God resided on earth.
Islam’s The Kaaba
This building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the most sacred site in
Islam. It is towards the Kaaba which all Muslims around the world
face during prayer, no matter where they are.
Baha’i Houses of Worship
One Baha’I House of Worship in Wilemette, Illinois, and another
called a Lotus temple in New Delhi, India. On the right, a picture of
the Shrine of the Bab located in Haifa, Israel.
Christianity’s Church of the Sepulchre
The site is where the New Testament says that Jesus was crucified
and is said to also contain the place where Jesus was buried (the
sepulchre).
Buddhism’s Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya,
India.
The site where Buddha attained Nirvana under the Bodhi Tree.
Mount Kailash, Tibet
In Hindu religion, the summit is considered to be the home of Lord
Shiva. There have been no recorded attempts to climb Mount
Kailash; it is considered off limits to climbers in deference to
Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.
Play Video
History of Religions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-sIF78QYCI
Issue 2 Quiz
1.
Which of the following religions does NOT trace its
origins to the patriarch Abraham?
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
Judaism
Islam
Hinduism
Christianity
Where are the hearths of the three largest
universalizing religions all located?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Asia
Europe
Africa
North America
Issue 2 Quiz
Which ethnic religion existed prior to recorded history?
1.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Hinduism
Buddhism
Shintoism
Daoism
Which type of religion can be traced to the actions and
teachings of a man?
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Ethnic
Universalizing
Anthrocentrism
Monotheistic