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Chapter 6. Religion. What Geographers want to know. Religion is essential for understanding HOW humans OCCUPY Earth. WHERE & WHY? Regional distribution of different religions & the resulting POTENTIAL for CONFLICT
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Chapter6 Religion
What Geographers want to know • Religion is essential for understanding HOW humans OCCUPY Earth. WHERE & WHY? • Regional distribution of different religions & the resulting POTENTIAL for CONFLICT • How the religions are derived in part form elements of the physical environment & how THEY modify the environment • How the PROCESS of religious DIFFUSION across the landscape may conflict with the distribution of the different religions
Key Issue #1Distribution of Religions: Where are the different Religions located? • Only a FEW religions have any BIG # of members. • Each religion has a distinct distribution across Earth’s surface • Geographers distinguish TWO types of religions • Universalizing • Ethnic
Universalizing religions • Attempt to be Global; to appeal to all people • Christianity • Islam • Buddhism • Each of these Religions has branches large & fundamental division w/in a religion And, Most Branches have denominations divisions of a branch that unites a # of local congre -gations in a single legal & administrative body http://www.religion-cults.com/Overview/Summary-Overview.htm
Ethnic religions Typically have more clustered distribution than universalizing, but… • Hinduism (has lgst # of followers) world’s 3rd largest Religion • Unusually clustered (80% in India & the rest in Nepal) • No strict approach to theological matters • Individual is to decide the best way to worship • No central authority or single holy book • Allegiance to particular God is common • Other ethnic religions • Confucianism: emphasis is ancient tradition of Li (correct behavior) • Daoism (T): emphasis is on mystical or magical aspects of life vs. public service. Daoist seek the “way” • Shintoism: distinctive ethnic religion of Japan. Emphasis is on the forces of nature as divine. >80,000 shrines serve as meeting places or place to play • Judaism: 1st monotheistic religion (14 million members) • Ethnic African Religions: 12% of the population of Africa. Belief that inanimate objects can be “animate” (have spirits)
World Distribution of Religions World religions by continent.
World Population by Religion Over 2/3 of the world’s population adhere to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. Christianity is the single largest world religion.
Christian Branches in Europe Protestant denominations, Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodoxy are dominant in different regions of Europe – a result of many historic interactions.
Christian Branches in the U.S. Distribution of Christians in the U.S. Shaded areas are counties with more than 50% of church membership concentrated in Roman Catholicism or one of the Protestant denominations.
Statue of Buddha Hong Kong,China 110 ft statue Buddha seated on a lotus flower
Key Issue #2: Variations in Distribution of Religions (1) • Origin of religions • Origin of universalizing religions • Origin of Hinduism • Diffusion of religions • Diffusion of universalizing religions • Lack of diffusion of ethnic religions
Diffusion of Universalizing Religions Fig. 6-4: Each of the three main universalizing religions diffused widely from its hearth.
Diffusion of Christianity 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.
Shintoism & 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.
Hindu Holy Places Fig. 6-11: Hierarchy of Hindu holy places: Some sites are holy to Hindus throughout India; others have a regional or sectarian importance, or are important only locally.
Ritual Bathing in the Ganges River Hindu pilgrims achieve purification by bathing in the Ganges.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar The Golden Temple (Darbar Sahib) in Amritsar, India is the holiest structure for Sikhism.
Key Issue #3: Organization of Space • Places of worship • Christian worship • Places of worship in other religions • Sacred space • Disposing of the dead • Religious settlements • Religious place names • Administration of space • Hierarchical religions • Locally autonomous religions
Key Issue #4: Religious Conflicts 20th c. = bloodiest century in history Many Global Conflicts many with Religion as the source 20th c. has seen a resurgence of FUNDAMENTALISM(literal interpretations, strict & intense adherence to basic religious principles). In response to Globalization trends. Globalization threatens Traditional & Folk Cultures While at the same time . . . The Role of Religion in organizing Earth’s surface has decreased in many places because of political & economic change.
Key Issue #4: Religious Conflicts Religion vs. Government policies Religion vs. Social Change • LDC – increased participation in the global economy has left some cultures feeling overwhelmed by Western (MDC) culture. • Elsewhere, recently (20th c.) religious principles have become important in the political organization of countries. • Taliban in Afghanistan (Taliban values vs. Western values) • Hinduism in India (traditional Caste System vs. democratic value of Equality) • Islamic Theocratic Government (Ayatollah) in Iran vs. Secular Democratic Government in Iran (President)
Religion vs. Communism • Communist view is Anti- Religious with a very secular Government • leading to a threat to E. Orthodox Christianity (Marxist “Faith” religion viewed as the “opium of the people”) Communist Countries (now & then) • USSR, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Vietnam, Cambodia, China • End to Communism is USSR lead to a Religious Revival in many areas.
Religion vs. Religion Conflict of this nature are most likely to manifest at BOUNDARY POINTS where the two conflicting religious groups merge together (proximity) • Religious wars in Ireland • Nationalistic in origin & Religious in continuation • Origin 10th. C. • Great Britain vs. Irish Nationalism • Protestant vs. Catholic (English Reformation 1500s) • Perpetuation: 1840s & the Great Potato Famine • Further Perpetuation post Independence 1921- • Partitioning of Ireland into Northern Ireland & Ireland • Discrimination and violent demonstrations • Involves “terrorist” organizations
Distribution of Protestants in Ireland, 1911 When Ireland became independent in 1937, 26 northern districts with large Protestant populations chose to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Catholic Protestors in Northern Ireland Often portrayed as a religious conflict, this notion is not entirely accurate. Over the years, political & religious leaders have skillfully exploited religious differences to manipulate, justify, inflame, divide or unite people, creating a culture of sectarian prejudice that either supports the existing power structure, or seeks reform, or reunification with Ireland. Unionists and Loyalists who seek to maintain a part of Great Britain are usually Protestants, who see themselves as British. Nationalists & Republicans are typically Catholic & see themselves as Irish.
Religion vs. Religion Religious Wars in the Middle East • Longest conflict (2000 years) • Jews, Christians, Muslims (similar heritages but divergent) • Jews (Ethnic Religion) feel a connection to the land • Muslims (Universalizing Religion) feel a historical connection • Diaspora (ancient Rome) Romans & Jews • 7th c. Muslims conquered the Christian holy land & diffused West • Crusades (11th -13th c.) Christians & Muslims. Christians attempt to take back the holy land • Israeli/Palestinian Conflict (state of Israel est. 1947-present) • Wars in 48, 56, 67, 73, 06 • Many more minor conflicts • Jerusalem question • Two State Solution?
Jerusalem The Old City of Jerusalem contains holy sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Boundary Changes in Palestine/Israel The UN partition plan for Palestine in 1947 contrasted with the boundaries that were established after the 1948-49 War. Major changes later resulted from the 1967 War.
Israel, the West Bank & GazaPolitical & Physical maps The West Bank & Gaza have been under Israeli control since 1967 & numerous Israeli settlements have been established there. The area includes three physical regions: the coastal plain, the hills, and the Jordan River Valley.
Section of Israeli Security Barrierdefiant smugglers evade barriers A typical section of the security barrier built by Israel in the West Bank.
Israel’s Barrier in the West Bank The planned route of Israel’s security barrier in the West Bank includes many of Israel’s settlements in the territory.
The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Temple Mount contains sites holy to both Jews and Muslims, including the Western Wall of the Second Temple, al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Dome of the Rock.
