Download 6.1 Where are Religions Distributed?

6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Islam
• Second largest, fastest growing, 1.3 bill, mostly in
Mideast, N. Africa, Central Asia (1/2 of all Muslims
live in: Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh & India)
• 5 Pillars
1. proclamation of faith
2. pray 5 times a day
3. charity (giving alms)
4. fast (don’t eat) during the month of Ramadan
5. pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah (Mecca)
6.1 Where are Religions Distributed?
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Islam
• BRANCHES:
Sunni (83%)
– Mideast, N. Africa, C. Asia,
Indonesia (largest Sunni
population of any
country)
Shiite – in Iran, Pakistan, Iraq
•Islam spreading rapidly to N. America and
Europe (migration, Nation of Islam (Black
Muslims heavily influenced by Malcolm X)
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Buddhism
• Third largest universal religion, 400 mill,
mostly in China and SE Asia
• 4 Nobel Truths & Eightfold Path (Middle Path)Beliefs about SUFFERING (all people suffer
because of unmet desires, so goal of life is to
escape the endless cycle of suffering through
mental and moral self-purification to reach
Nirvana, so live the “right” way (the middle
path)
6.1 Where are Religions Distributed?
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Buddhism
• BRANCHES:
Japan,
Mahayana (56% in China,
Korea)
Theravada (38% in SE Asia:
Cambodia, Laos,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Thailand)
Tantrayana (6% in Tibet and
Mongolia)
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Buddhism
• Difficult to get an accurate count of Buddhists
because Buddhists can also practice an
ETHNIC religion alongside Buddhism
(unlike Christianity and Islam)
• This is prevalent in Japan where Shinto
(Japanese ethnic religion) is practiced along
with Buddhism
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Other Universalizing Religions
Website Link to Sikhism
• Sikhism – promote individual responsibility for their
deeds, don’t cut hair, wear a turban (about 25 mill,
mostly in NW India/Pakistan)
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
• Baha'i - desire to overcome the disunity of religions
and establish a universal faith by ending racial, class
and religious prejudices ( about 8 million believers,
started in Iran, spread throughout Africa and Asia)
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Website link
• Zoroastrianism –
Old Persian religion dating back to the Persian
Empire ca. 6th century B.C.E.
(today there are about 200,000 followers mostly in
Iran & India)
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
B. Ethnic Religions – unique
to particular ethnic groups who
generally don’t seek out
new members
Hinduism
• Third largest world religion (behind Christianity &
Islam), 1 billion, mostly in India and some in Nepal
• Individual approach to God: many paths, pursue your
own path as long as it is in harmony with nature, you
are responsible for your own actions (karma)
• No single holy book that is central to the faith
6.1 Where are Religions Distributed?
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Confucianism
• Originated in China with Confucius
ca. 5th century B.C.E.
• “correct” behavior (moral code), duty is important,
must fulfill obligations, treat others (esp. elders)
with respect
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Daoism (Taoism)
• Originated in China with Lao-Zi before Confucius
• Mystical, can’t be comprehended by reason,
introspective, avoid daily activities, live in
harmony with nature, “don’t worry-be happy”
mentality
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Shintoism
• Originated in Japan since ancient
times (very old!)
• Animistic - nature and ancestors are divine
• National religion – emperor is regarded as divine,
cultural pride and identity
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Judaism
• About 14 mill (with almost half of all Jews in USA)
• Foundational religion to both Christianity and
Islam, originated in present-day Israel
• The first monotheistic religion to be practiced
6.1 Where are Religions Distributed?
6.1 Where are Religions
Distributed?
Ethnic African Religions
(Animism)
• About 12% of Africans (100 mill) still follow
traditional African religions.
• Many have adopted either Christianity or Islam
and mixed it with their animistic beliefs, much like
the Japanese adopting Buddhism and mixing it
with their Shintoism. This is called SYNCRETISM.