Download Chapter 7 Religion

Chapter 7 Religion
Pages 193-236
Field Note:
The Soviet Union came to be during the 1920s.
The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and the
republics became independent states, ethnic strife
broke out almost immediately.
In 1996, the Russian Orthodox Church rebuilt the
Cathedral of Christ the Savior two blocks from the
Kremlin.
Religion; how different religions dispose of the deceased
•Religion is one of the most complex and controvesial
aspects of the human condition
Hindus: Cremate… reincarnation
•Christians & Jews Bury… Cmemteries, crosses, tombs,
mosoleums
In largely Christian, western regions, the deceased are buried
in large, sometimes elaborate cemeteries.
Centrality of Religious Landmarks
•Centrality = in the center… of city & of cultural life
•Why were churches, mosques, & Synagogues built in or
near the center of the towns?
–Importance and ease of access for all followers
One of common rituals between Judaism, Hinduism, and
Christianity is the concept of prayer.
What religious symbols are evident in landscapes?
•Islam: Domes and minarets, Grand Mosque in Mecca, Dome of the Rock in
Jerusalem
•Hinduism: Crematoriums, shrines
•Christianity: Toponyms (St. Thomas), Steeples, Crosses, Cemetaries
•Judaism: Synagogues, Domes, Star of David, Menorahs, Yarmulkahs,
cemeteries
•Wailing Wall
•Buddhism: Stupas, Wats
Architectural Structure
The style of a particular culture or society’s
buildings, which varies dramatically over
space and time.
Western Wall, Jerusalem… Wailing wall.
Dome of the Rock in the background… With Minaret
Jewish neighborhoods in European Cities
the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, the Czech Republic
Synagogues
Religion’s impact in history and culture is evident in
its centrality in many places.
Secularism is now prevailed in some societies.
The cathedral in Antwerp was built beginning in
1352 and still dominates the central part of town.
Disposition of the Deceased Each religion approaches the disposition of the deceased in
different ways, and cultural landscapes reflect the religious
traditions.
Hindu crematorium
in
Mombasa, Kenya
Hindu Temple –
Angkor Wat, Cambodia. This temple suffers from neglect and
destruction now, as Buddhism has supplanted Hinduism in
most of Cambodia.
Buddhist Stupas 72 stupas, each containing a sculpture of the Buddha in
meditation were built around 800 CE and still stand in
Borobudur, Indonesia
Buddhism
is mixed with local religions in some places. In Japan,
Buddhism is mixed with the local religion, Shintoism.
Shinto Shrine
In Kyoto, Japan, this Shinto shrine is visible after walking through a torii –
a gateway usually formed by two wooden posts and topped by two
horizontal beams.
Classifications of Religions
•Monotheistic religions – worship a single deity. (Judaism, Christianity, Islam,
Zoroastrianism)
•
•Polytheistic religions – worship more than one deity, even thousands. (Hinduism)
•
•Animistic religions – belief that inanimate objects posses spirits and should be
revered. (Tribal and Indigenous religions)
In an ethnic religion, adherents are born into the faith and converts are not actively
sought.
From the Hearth of South Asia
16
• Hinduism –
originated in Indus River Valley what is now Pakistan over 4000 years ago.
* ritual bathing, karma, reincarnation
ranks 3rd after christianity and islam as a world religion.
Mainly found in India.
sacred text: Vedas
sacred sites: Ganges River, Varanasi
social manifestation: caste system
diffusion: through South Asia and into Southeast Asia also exists where Indians
have migrated to.
Ganges River in
Holy City of
Varanasi
18
This map shows the hearths and major
routes of diffusion of the four major world
religions.
Angkor Wat in Cambodia was built by Hindu Migrants around 1100.
It marks the earliest period of Hinduism’s diffusion into Southeast
Asia.
From the Hearth of South Asia
• Buddhism –
splintered from Hinduism about 2500 years ago. Originated in a region
from Nepal south to the Ganges River area.
Buddhists believe anyone can achieve salvation and reach
enlightenment
founder: Siddartha Gautama (the Buddha)
sacred sites: stupas
diffusion: most strongly into Tibet in the north and
into East Asia, common in Japan
Buddhism spread into Southeast
Asia with early land and sea traders,
which is common in Japan today.
From the Hearth of Huang He River Valley
From the Hearth of Huang He River Valley
• Taoism –
originated in China more than 2500 years ago
Taoists believe in oneness of humanity and nature
founder: Lao-Tsu
sacred text: “Book of the Way”
social manifestation: Feng Shui - art and science of
organizing living space in order to channel the life forces
that exist in nature.
diffusion: East Asia
From the Hearth of Huang He River Valley
• Confucianism –
originated in China about 2500 years ago
* real meaning of life lay in the present
founder: Confucius
sacred text: “Confucian Classics”
diffusion: Korean Peninsula, Japan, and Southeast
Asia
From the Hearth of the
Eastern Mediterranean
From the Hearth of the
Eastern Mediterranean
• Judaism –
originated in Southwest Asia about 4000 years ago.
* first major monotheistic religion, covenant between
God and Abraham.
sacred text: Torah
founder: Abraham
sacred sites: Jerusalem (Western Wall), the land between the Mediterranean and
the Jordan River
social manifestation: Zionism
diffusion: into European cities during the Diaspora,
into North America during WWII, and into Israel.
From the Hearth of the
Eastern Mediterranean
• Christianity –
originated in Southwest Asia about 2000 years ago.
* monotheistic religion, follow teachings of Jesus to
achieve eternal life
sacred text: Bible
founder: Jesus (son of God)
sacred sites: Bethlehem, Jerusalem
split in the church:
* split into Eastern Orthodox and Roman
Catholic churches in 1054
* Protestant (Martin Luther) sects split off in
1400s and 1500s
diffusion: into Western Europe, and then world wide
during colonialism and after.
Christianity spread throughout Roman Empire, it split into Eastern
Orthodox and Roman Catholic leaving eastern Europe (except
Romania) Orthodox and Western Europe Catholic. Luther’s
reformation (Protestant) splits from the Catholic Church bringing
the Protestant religions to Germany and Henry VIII’s split to
England. Protestantism and Catholicism spread with Colonialism.
First Split in Christianity, 1054 CE
Western Roman empire = Roman Catholicism
Eastern Roman empire = Eastern Orthodox
Religions of Europe
Protestant =
Purple
Blue =
Catholicism
Red = Orthodxy
Green = Islam
Religions in Switzerland
concentrations of Catholics and Protestants
by canton and commune in Switzerland.
• Islam –
From the Hearth of the
Eastern Mediterranean
originated on Arabian peninsula about 1500 years ago.
* monotheistic religion, revelations Muhammad
received from Allah, Five Pillars.
sacred text: Qu’ran
founder: Muhammad
sacred sites: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem
split in the
church:
* shortly after Muhammad’s death, split into
Sunni
Muslims (great majority)
Shi’ite Muslims (concentrated in Iran)
diffusion: across Arabian peninsula, across North
Africa, into Spain and also east into Southeast Asia
Many Islamic states in the Middle East region combine religion and state and
don’t separate them. This is called theocracy.
Diffusion of Islam
Minaret
stands on the Sabah
State Mosque
in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and
creates a strong Muslim
imprint on the cultural
landscape of the city.
Diffusion of
Islam into
Europe
large mosque in Paris
signifies the Islamic
migration to France
over the past several
decades.
Shamanist
• Shamanism –
a community faith tradition in which people follow their shaman, a
religious leader, teacher, healer, and visionary.
• Unlike Christianity or Islam, Shamanist faiths are small and
comparatively isolated.
• Shamanism is a traditional religion, an intimate part of a local culture
or society, but not all traditional religions are shamanist.
The Former Yugoslavia
Genocide
Ethnic
Cleansing
The Former Yugoslavia
Slovenians and Croats - Catholic
Serbians and Montenegrans- Eastern Orthodox
Yugoslavia means “land of the South Laws”
The country was formed in the aftermath of WW1 before
1920.
After 1945, Yugoslavia was under the control of Josip Broz
Tito Tito died in 1980, and Slobodan Milosevic ruled for the
benefits of the Serbs
“Ethnic Cleansing”- came into use to describe the outer
Bosnian Muslims and others from their homes and lands
The Former Yugoslavia
More than 2.5 million Bosnians were driven out from their
homes.
International community belatedly became involved
Countries joined United Nations: Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia
and Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In 2003, Yugoslavia disappeared and was replaced by
Serbia and Montenegro.
A final development unfolded when a group of Muslims in
Kosovo demanded autonomy.
This led to the founding new state of Kosovo.
Northern Ireland
Identities are tied to Religion, but are
deepened by:
-Economics
-colonial experiences
-activity spaces
(segregation)
Northern Ireland
northern Ireland and Great Britain form the United Kingdom
Colonization began in the 16th century
During the 1800’s, migrants were drawn to NE Ireland where industrial jobs
and opportunities were high.
In the late 1800’s Irish Catholics began reinvigorating Celtic and Irish
traditions
The Protestant majority in N Ireland constituted two thirds of its population
Frederick Boal wrote a seminal work in 1969 on the Northern Irish.
Northern Ireland
The ongoing conflict between Protestants and
Catholics in Northern Ireland made little sense.
In 1990s Boal updated his study of Northern
Ireland and found hope for a resolution.
April 1998, the adoption of the Anglo-Irish peace
agreement was made, also known as Belfast
agreement & Good Friday
Northern Ireland
Identities are tied to Religion,
but are
deepened by:
-Economics
-colonial experiences
-activity spaces
(segregation)
Religious Fundamentalism and Extremism
•Religious fundamentalism –
a return to the basics of their faith.
found in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
•Religious extremism –
fundamentalism carried to the point of violence.
found in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
Christianity
Among the issues giving rise to disputes include
- birth control
- family planning
- role of women in religious bureaucracy
● In the US, Christian fundamentalism is also associated with
protestant faiths.
● protestant churches have become increasingly active in political
and social arguments
● Woman are not allowed to serve as priests in roman catholic
religion
Judaism
has fundamentalist sects
one major is orthodox
jewish extremist groups include: Kach and Kahane Chai followers
Rabbai Kahane espoused anti-arabism in his teachings, and his
followers (Kahane Chai) continued to do so.
Members of Kach or Katherine Chai are suspected in several
terrorists acts in Israel
Islamic Extremists and Jihad
an Islamic holy war against the West
Islam
Shar’ia Laws-The system of islamic law, sometimes called
the Qu’ranic law. It is based on varying degrees of
interpretation of the Qu’ran.
Jihad- Islamic Holy war
The taliban in Afghanistan provided a haven for the
activities of islamic extremists.
Wahhabi Islam is the opposition belief as to what was seen
as sacrilegious practices during the Ottoman rule.
Religious Fundamentalism
and Extremism
•Religious fundamentalism –
a return to the basics of their faith.
found in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
•Religious extremism –
fundamentalism carried to the point of violence.
found in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
Christianity
Among the issues giving rise to disputes include
- birth control
- family planning
- role of women in religious bureaucracy
● In the US, Christian fundamentalism is also associated with
protestant faiths.
● protestant churches have become increasingly active in political
and social arguments
● Woman are not allowed to serve as priests in roman catholic
religion
Judaism
has fundamentalist sects
one major is orthodox
jewish extremist groups include: Kach and Kahane Chai
followers
Rabbai Kahane espoused anti-arabism in his teachings,
and his followers (Kahane Chai) continued to do so.
Members of Kach or Katherine Chai are suspected in
several terrorists acts in Israel
Islamic Extremists and Jihad
an Islamic holy war against the
West
Islam
Shar’ia Laws-The system of islamic law, sometimes called
the Qu’ranic law. It is based on varying degrees of
interpretation of the Qu’ran.
Jihad- Islamic Holy war
The taliban in Afghanistan provided a haven for the
activities of islamic extremists.
Wahhabi Islam is the opposition belief as to what was seen
as sacrilegious practices during the Ottoman rule.
Interfaith Boundary in Africa
Religious Landscapes in the United States
Map does not show small areas where other religions dominate.
Map does not show areas where density of adherents is really high. Map gives greater importance
to small populations.
Map masks much “diversity” and “variation” in religions.
Not able to view subcounty variation.
Map overgeneralizes.
Christian Denominations in the U.S.
Baptist denominations---”Bible Belt” of SE US
Lutheran---upper Midwest
Methodist---midland states
Spanish Catholicism---SW US and parts of Fla
Mormons---Utah and parts of surrounding states
Catholicism---NE
The West is mixed.
Mormon
Mormonism began in the eastern US, but believers
migrated west to Utah, an area outside the authority
of those who persecuted them. Mormon families
grew and migrated throughout the region to farm
new areas that could be cultivated in the
intermountain West. 1880-1920: great wave of
European immigration, no new immigrants with
different religions came to this region because of
lack of urbanization.
Lutheran
Original migration from northern and western Europe:
Germans and Scandinavians migrated from Europe. in large
numbers, bringing with them their religion. Railroad
companies and state governments recruited these groups to
farm. Chain migration occurred as relatives continued to
arrive.
Lack of later immigrations of other religions: Later groups
from Europe (Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox) did not come, as
the region lacked the pull of cities.
Indigenous religion with origins in small towns and rural areas
of the sw US.
Upper Midwest did not attract rural-to-urban migration from
the South during the twentieth century because of the smaller
number of cities.
Baptist
Indigenous religion with origins in small towns and rural
areas of the s.e. US. Baptist religion matured as an
indigenous religion in the rural South. Based on Calvinism
brought from Europe. No requirement for formally
credentialed clergy. Baptists appealed to African-Americans
excluded from mainline Protestant denominations in the
South. Baptists included other groups that created locally
specific church communities.
Lack of immigration: Other groups of European immigrants
with different religions were not attracted to this
predominantly agricultural region.
Protestant and Catholic Landscapes in the
United States
Scandinavian
Lutheran Church.
Simple architecture
common in Protestant
church's in Great
Plains
(on left)
St. Mary’s Catholic
Church.
More decorative
structure with stained
glass is mostly found
in Catholic Churches in
Great Plains.
(on right)
Sacred Spaces
Areas or places of religious or spiritual significance.
Historical---Dome of the Rock, Western Wall in Jerusalem
Current---cathedrals, mosques, temples, tabernacles
Cemeteries are often included as death and the afterlife are integral to many
religions.
Sacred Landscapes of Islam
Muslim Mosques
Dome of this mosque
in Isfahan, Iran
demonstrates the
importance of
geometric art and
calligraphy evident in
Muslim architecture.
Example of Islam's
greatest artistic
expression
The Hajj
The well known Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the 5 pillars
of Islam, a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage of all able Muslims.
Pilgrims circle the holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque
in Mecca, Saudi Arabia during the Hajj.
More about Islam
• Beautifully designed mosques in the cities
• 5 times a day the faithful pray at the
Minarets
• All Muslims must make the journey to Mecca
once in their lifetime (if able)
• Some sects of Islam believe in ziarats (nonhajj pilgrimages)
Choose a pilgrimage site, such as Mecca,
Vatican City, or the Western Wall, and
describe how the act of pilgrimage (in
some cases by millions) alters this place’s
cultural landscape and environment.
Key Question:
What Role does Religion play in
Political Conflicts?
Government Impact on Religion
The Soviet
Union:
- Had an official policy
of atheism
- Discouraged
religious practice
- Drew boundaries for
political control that
separated ethnic
groups in small
areas
Armenia and Azerbaijan
Soviet Union’s divide-and-diminish plan
Conflicts along Religious Borders
• Interfaith Boundaries
– Boundaries between the world’s major faiths.
(Northern Ireland and North Africa)
– Some see religious differences as a source of
social division.
• Intrafaith Boundaries
– Boundaries within a single major faith. (Sunnis
& Shiites in Iraq)
Israel and
Palestine
Region with one of the largest
religious conflict in the world.
By the late 1940's the Jews and
Palestinians started open warfare
between each other.
Due to the Arab-Israeli war, Israel
gained control of some
Palestinian lands (Gaza strip)
Landscapes of Settlements
Israelis have had a policy of building settlements
for Jews in the Occupied Territories
Landscape of the Gaza Strip, 2005
In 2005, the Israeli government pulled out of the Gaza Strip, burning
down Jewish settlements and handing control over back to the
Palestinians.
The West Bank
with a the proposed
security wall, parts of
which the Israeli
government has
already built.
The Horn of Africa
Amharic (Coptic)
Christianity is in
central Ethiopia
Islam diffused into the
Horn of Africa
Indigenous religions
remain in pockets
,
The Former Yugoslavia
Genocide
Ethnic Cleansing
Many religious & linguistic fault lines in this
area.
The Balkan Peninsula is the dividing line
between language in Europe.
Northern Ireland
Mix between Celtic and
Roman Catholic
Identities are tied to
Religion, but are
deepened by:
- Economics
- colonial experiences
- activity spaces
(segregation)