Chapter 6: Language

Chapter 6 Religion PPT by Abe Goldman An Introduction to Human Geography The Cultural Landscape, 8e James M. Rubenstein

Stonehenge (England)‏

K-1 Distribution of Religions

Geographers are interested in religions because it is essential for understanding…

Helps us see how humans occupy and use the Earth…and influences migration & interaction

***ALSO…possible conflicts EX?

EXPLAIN following terms/phrases using EX’s if asked

Universalizing religion : relig. that tries to “fit” all different kinds of ppl into it…has various ethnicities w/in it; seeks out converts from other cultures

3 major univer.: Christianity Islam Buddhism

Ethnic religion : mainly 1 type of pop. in 1 place

- Largest? Hinduism (see temples next slide  )

- 1 very important ? Judaism WHY ? Foundation of 2 lgest world relig.: Christianity & Islam

branch of a religion : large division in relig w/ basic (fundamental) differences

EX’s: Christn .: Catholics, Protestants, East.Orthodox

Islam : Sunni & Shi’a Buddh .: Mayhayanist, Theravadist

** rites of passage : events marking change of status

(often from child to adult) w/in a religion or culture…

-often marked by age, hormonal changes, or births

EX: bar mitzvah, quinceanera, graduation, “debs”

sacred space : areas set aside for uses such as religious services, burial of the dead, etc. EX’s?

* cities (Jerusalem) *landmark (Kabbah)‏

*buildings (church, synagogue, mosque)‏

*ground (cemetery)

*tree (Bodh-Gaya, spot of Buddha’s Enlightenment

*settlement (monastery, etc.)‏

Synagogues: Slovakia, Hungary, Jerusalem

Buddhist temples

Eastern Orthodoxy

** proselytizing : religion that seeks out converts from other cultures, often w/ missionaries, etc.

-similar to universalizing

EX: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism

**tenets: important beliefs of a group; ideas a religion or philosophy is based on

EX: -- Monotheism; -- Virgin birth;

--Buddha gained Enlightenment

-- Islam’s no “graven images” = no pic’s in mosques

Hierarchical vs. Autonomous religion:

Hier .: defined, organized territories w/ local units

EX: Catholicism w/ Pope, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, local priests…each over a defined region

Aut .: Self-sufficient… may join in loose organizations w/other churches, etc., but basically have their own rules, tenets, etc.

EX: Islam; several Protestant denominations

World Distribution of Religions: World religions by continent

World Population by Religion Over two-thirds of the world’s population belong to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. Christianity is the single largest world religion.

Map on P. 184-185 :

a) 4 mainly Catholic areas & 2 countries (or regions) there:

--Western Europe: Italy….what else?

--Central Africa Dem. Rep. of Congo, Rep. of Congo…

--Lat. America…….All Central Amer., S. Amer., Carib.

--NE USA + E & SE Canada --Also SW USA

b) 2 areas where Eastern Orthodox “denominations” are dominate? ( are 14 different ones )

E. Africa (Horn) Eastern Europe/& near areas of Asia

-4 largest of these: Russian (40%), Romanian (20%), Greek (10%) , Bulgaria (10%) (also Serbian-10%)‏

-2 of the newest of these: Albania, Cyprus, Georgia, Poland, Sinai

-Country that’s part of the Horn of Africa & is heavily Eastern Orthodox? Ethiopia

- Religion that makes up the rest of this country? Islam

(continue using p. 184-5)‏

c) areas w/ Muslim religions : Middle East; N. Africa; SE Asian (Indonesia/Malaysia); some of Central/S. Asia (Pakistan, Turkmenistan, etc.)‏

2 main Muslims denominations : Sunni & Shi’a

Larger by far: Sunni ….about 5X larger than Shi’a (aka Shiite) (“Sunni” = orthodox)‏

Shi’a: mainly in Iran (90% Shi’a) & Iraq (about 60%)‏

d) Continent w/ most diversity in relig .: Africa (S-S)‏

2 reasons why it’s probably true: colonialism/imperialism; harsh geography = isolation in some areas; nearness to 2 proselytizing religions (S-S = majority Christian)‏

e) 2 areas where Buddhists dominate :

East Asia, SE Asia (Indochina part…Vietnam, Thailand, etc.)‏

3 large ( in population ) Buddhist countries : China, Japan, S. Korea

Main Buddhist Branches : From religioustolerance.org

NOTE: See hand-out…no need to copy…

Mahayana (56%..mostly China, Japan, Korea): not for individual perfection, keep others from suffering, -compassion, selflessness, wisdom, & servitude (serving others) …vow NOT to enter Nirvana, but try to reach Enlightenment. Big concept: service

Theravada (38%..mostly SE Asia…Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar/Burma/Sri Lanka, Thailand):

-oldest form: & Monks focus on a personal goal to become an arhat – (enlightened person w/o worldly desires or suffering),

Big concept : using meditation & study to gain personal insight…each is on his/her own

Tantrayana (6%..Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, SW China, Nepal, N. India, Russia):

Verbal repetition of mantras (special ritual phrases) to clear the mind & connect to the spiritual….most famous mantra: " Om mani padme hum ." 

Tantrayana uses….

Mani wheels -- prayer wheels – w/ printed repetitions of mantra; spinning the wheel releases the mantra to the universe.

Various yoga techniques, including breath control, picture of a series of nested geometrical shapes, and Mudras, a symbolic gesture made w/ the hand or fingers

Visual aids (like mandalas) to help the person awaken their spiritual potential.

Other symbolic tools or musical instruments :

vaira (thunderbolt)‏

ghanta (bell)‏

phurba (ritual dagger)‏

damaru (hand drum), etc.

specialized rituals rooted in Vajrayāna cosmology and beliefs

Chela (student) … a guru (teacher), who gradually releases hidden or inner knowledge to the initiate thru oral teachings given by a master.

Diffusion of Islam Islam diffused rapidly & widely from its area of origin in Arabia. It eventually stretched from southeast Asia to West Africa.

Cairo, Egypt Iraq Shi’a (bombed by Sunnis) Oman

Diffusion of Buddhism Buddhism diffused gradually from its origin in NE India to Sri Lanka, SE Asia, & eventually China & Japan.

Statue of Buddha Hong Kong, China

Buddha Japan, bronze & gold gilding Buddha, Tibet (Shakyamuni)‏

Buddha on lotus Smiling Buddha (China)‏

Buddha, Thailand…All these show how a universalizing religion molds the religion to fit that culture

Deities : Buddha is not believed to be a god; some ppl in some branches (espec. Mahayanists) do believe in “God”; but it is not necessary to “define” god to them; mostly see “blessed” as being saints

Cosmogony : varies w/ branch, but mainly we’re on Earth to learn suffering & search for Truth (enlightenment). If we reach it we can go to a higher place…..& avoid reincarnation

Hearth : NE India & Nepal

Map on p. 186: Europe:

a) Countries mainly Lutheran ? Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Estonia

b) The 3 Calvinist areas? Scotland, N. Switzerland, N. Ireland

*What we call most Calvinists in USA : Presbyterians

c) prominent Catholic countries : Italy, Austria, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain

" Eastern border" Catholic countries : Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Rep., Latvia, Lithuania

d) Eastern Europe : Most are what Christn. branch ? Eastern Orthodoxy

Main denomination of Russia & the Ukraine ?

Russian Orthodox Greece? Greek Orthodox

Christian Branches in Europe Protestant denominations, Catholicism, & Eastern Orthodoxy are dominant in different regions of Europe—a result of many historic interactions.

Christian Branches in the U.S. Fig. 6-3: 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.

Religions of the U.S.

Denomination : a division of a branch

-unites a # of local congregations ( groups that gather ) into one group

EX’s: Southern Baptists; Episcopalians; Presbyterians; Methodists

Sect : fairly small group that has broken away from a denomination

EX’s: -the Mormon polygamists

-Freewill Baptists or Fire-baptized Baptist

Some sects are considered to be “cults” if they deal more w/ over-controlling ppl’s behaviors & have behaviors that greatly vary from the “norm”

EX’s: David Koresh & the Branch Davidians broke from the First Assembly of God Denom. (Waco, TX)‏

Note: “cult” actually just means extreme devotion & devout religion…now has a different idea recently

Map p. 187: USA :

a) 2 main denominations in the Great Lakes areas? Lutheran, Roman Catholic

b) Main denomination of N.E. USA:

Roman Catholic

c) What’s dark green indicate? Methodist

-Where are the large pockets of these? W.VA, MD, CO, Kansas, Ohio

d) Main denomination of S.E. USA: Baptist

e) 4 states where you find the most Mormons?

Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho

- Which state is dominated by Mormons? Utah

* What’s the official name of the Mormon church?

Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints

Place Names in Québec Place names in Québec show the impact of religion on the landscape. Many cities and towns Are named after saints.

P. 208: Roman Catholic Hierarchy in U.S. The Catholic Church divides the U.S. into province s headed by archbishops . Provinces are divided into dioceses , headed by bishops .

Religious Conflicts (p. 207)‏

Taliban (Afghanistan) vs. Western values:

-Issues: women; kites? Soccer; TV

Hinduism vs. Social equality: caste system

-Aryans took over about 1500 BCE & established 4 levels based on social position + $ (econ.)…also “untouchables”

-legally is gone…but still see prejudices

Religion vs. communism 

Notes on Communism vs. religions (p.208):

Commun. basically hostile (rejecting) of religion;

-often didn’t “punish”, but rewarded those against

USSR: Eastern Orthodoxy + Islam mainly affected

China: Mainly Buddhism …also some Islam & Christian

-Tibetan Bud. Shrines destroyed; Laos & Cambodia also had shrines, statues destroyed

Conflict in Mid-East:

Israelis vs. Palestinians:

In former “Palestine”, now Israel

Jerusalem is a big part of this conflict

a) 3 religions that view this city as holy: (p. 210-11)‏

Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Part of Europe held for yrs by Muslims: Spain/Portg.

(Iberian Peninsula) + part of W. France… & some of SE Europe (that’s why there are Muslims in Bosnia, etc….the B_____ Region )‏

How Jerusalem is “Holy City” for 3 “Semitic relig.:

Judaism Christianity Islam .

Abraham + Sara = Isaac Abra. + Hagar = Ishmael

Wall of 2 nd Temple Dome of the Rock

“ Rock” = where Abra. Muslim’s 3 rd holiest city

took Isaac Muslim Quarter

Wailing Wall

Jewish Quarter - (Also W-W)‏

-Church of the Holy

Sepulcher

-various “patriarchates”

(Gk.Orth., Cath.,

Coptic, & Ethiopian)‏

Jerusalem The Old City of Jerusalem contains holy sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

4 quarters of Jerusa.? Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Armenian

Why Jerusalem has 4 quarters:

- J: West areas: historically has been Jewish majority

-Arab: Palestinians majority in Old City, (NE) …

-borders Jordan & was part of Jordan once

-Armenian: for last 1000 yrs. E. Orthodoxy patriarchate -smallest of 4 quart. (is Chr. but separ. from Chr. Qu.)‏

-Chr.: Remains from Catholic Crusades

The Crusades: (209) 150 yrs. of “Holy wars” by Chr. to take Holy Land from Muslim “infidels”

*1099: Chr. took Jerusalem *1187 Musl. took it

*1229 Christians *1244 Muslims

e) Jews vs. Muslims in Palestine : (p. 210-12)‏

-Palestine/Jerusalem = area between Sinai Pen. & Lebanon…

-Ottoman Turks held (1516 till defeat in WWI (1917)‏

-1919: League of Nat. gave to Grt. Britain to control

-Zionist movement: turn of 20 th century…Jews began trying to return

Why Jews (ethnic religion usually won’t migrate much ), migrated out…& name of this migration?

Diaspora : occurred b/c Jews attempted to overthrow Romans,

-Romans forced them out of their homeland

Boundary Changes in Palestine/Israel The UN partition plan for Palestine in 1947 contrasted w/ the boundaries that were established after the 1948–49 War. Major changes later resulted from the 1967 War (7-day War).

West Bank: Political & Physical Geography Political control of the West Bank is split between Palestinians & Israelis (mainly Israeli control). W-B includes many of regions higher altitude

Section of Israeli Security Barrier: A typical section of the security barrier built by Israel in the West Bank .

Israel’s Security Zone in Lebanon Israel established a security zone in S. Lebanon in 1982. When Israel withdrew in 2000, UN helped draw the boundary between the countries.

Mecca, Islam’s Holiest City Makah (Mecca )‏ is the holiest city in Islam and is the site of pilgrimage for millions of Muslims each year. There are numerous holy sites in the city. 3 Islamic holiest cities: 1: Makah 2. Medina 3. Jerusalem

Mecca, with Kabbah in center… Note minarets …

Makkah during the Haj Pilgrimage The Ka’ba stands at the center of the Great Mosque (al-Haran al Sharif) in Makkah.

The Kabbah (kabah) in Mecca, Islam’s holiest shrine

11) Religious wars in Ireland:

Most troublesome boundary in W. Europe…

“ The troubles…”

Ireland: Protestant Christians vs. Catholic Christians

Protestants vs. Catholics : Ireland ( Eire ) was Catholic & then taken over by Protestant England centuries ago…& part of UK in 1801

Eire wanted independence—esp. after the 1840’s (why?....horror of the famine  anger, etc.)

Began to organize & fight in late 1800’s into early in 20 th cent.

-1921: became self-governing (still part of UK)‏

-1937: full independence… Republic of Ireland declared 1949

Rep. of Ire . = peaceful…but N. Ireland has Protestant majority that has kept Catholics from higher paying jobs & out of schools, areas, etc., & demonstrations began in 1960’s

N. Ireland: Calvinist & Anglican (Episcopalian)‏

- IRA : Irish Republican Army ; militant group that fights for unification of R.I & N. Ireland ( freedom fighters or terrorists?)‏

- UDF : Ulster Defense Forces: militant Protestant extremists

-most of both sides in N. Ireland have always wanted peace, but extremists push their ideas (sound familiar??)

Recently have decided to lay down arms…

What world events influenced this?

Protestants in Northern Ireland % Protestant population by district in Ireland, 1911 . When Ireland became independent in 1937 , 26 northern districts w/ large Protestant populations chose to remain part of the UK.

“ All gave some. Some gave all…”

Post-ceasefire mural, Protestant West Belfast

Diffusion of Universalizing Religions: Each of the 3 main universalizing religions diffused widely from its hearth

Diffusion of Christianity: Christianity diffused from Palestine thru the Roman Empire & continued diffusing thru Europe after the fall of Rome. Later was replaced by Islam much of the Mideast & North Africa.

Shinto : Ethnic religion of Japan that involves reverence their ancestors

Also believes some parts of nature have spirits & are sacred

Sikhism : Monotheistic religion of the Punjab in India

Blends some aspects of Islam, Christianity, & Hinduism

Know **Monotheism vs. polytheism

Sikhism is concentrated in the Punjab of India , the hearth of Sikhism

Irredentism: 2 states arguing over a region…both claim it…EX: Jammu & Kashmir

The Golden Temple in Amritsar (Darbar Sahib): India is the holiest structure for Sikhism .

Shinto & Buddhism in Japan Since Japanese can be both Shinto & Buddhist, are many areas in Japan where over 2/3 of the population are both Shinto & Buddhist…..co-exist peacefully…

Organization of Space:

Places of worship

Sacred space:

Disposing of the dead, Religious settlements, & Religious toponyms names

Holy Sites in Buddhism Most holy sites in Buddhism are locations of important events in Buddha’s life & are clustered in NE India & Southern Nepal.

Buddhist Temple Bodh Gaya, India The Buddha reached Enlightenment here under a bo tree

Ritual Bathing in the Ganges River: Hindu pilgrims achieve purification by bathing in the Ganges.

Hindu Holy Places 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.

Cremation near Taj Mahal

Baha’i Temple in Uganda Baha’i has at least 1 temple on each continent… It is a u_____ or a p_____ religion

Religion Overview:

(E = ethnic… U = universalizing… Cir. = around)‏

3 Main Religions from India :

Hindu (oldest—cir. 3500 BCE) polytheistic E

Buddhism (cir. 500 BCE) U

Sikhism (cir. 1500 CE) monotheistic U

3 Semitic Religions

(from Semites = Jews…Hamidic = Arab)

ALL 3 are monotheistic

Judaism (cir. 3000 BCE) E

Christianity (cir. 35 CE) U

Islam (cir. 560 CE) U

(…..END…..)‏

Buddhism:

Deities : Buddha is not believed to be a god; some ppl in some branches (espec. Mahayanists) do believe in “God”; but it is not necessary to “define” god to them; mostly see “blessed” as being saints

Cosmogony : varies w/ branch, but mainly we’re on Earth to learn suffering & search for Truth (enlightenment). If we reach it we can go to a higher place…..& avoid reincarnation

Hearth : NE India & Nepal

Branches & Denominations :

1. Theravada : We are here to reach our own salvation thru isolated meditations, etc. (monks, etc.; no priests); in SE Asia, Sri Lanka

2. Mahayana : Thru serving others & helping we can reach enlightenment (China, Japan, Korea)‏

3. Tantrayana : Mahayana style in Tibet & Mongolia

Areas in the world today : Ma. : China, E. Asia (Japan, Korea) Ther. : SE Asia (Vietnam, Thai., etc.) Tan. : Tibet, Mongolia

Sacred texts : Theravada scriptures : “baskets” of law

Mahayana sutras & Tripitakas : writings thought to be words of the Buddha

Sacred places : Places related to events in Buddha’s life

Lumbini: his birth

Bodh Gaya (& tree he was under): attained enlightenment

Deer Park in Sarnath, his 1 st sermon

Kusinagara: he died & achieved Nirvana, peaceful extinction

Sacred buildings : Temples, pagodas

Universalizing/global : Yes (1 of 3 largest)‏

% of the world population : 6%

Rituals/rites : Varies w/ groups; These are NOT strict observances

Birth :

baby “registered” at local temple

sprinkled w/ holy water

candle wax dripped into water bowl = joining 4 elements: water, earth. air, fire

Adulthood : none specific to age…varies w/ cultures

Marriage : some areas: think it’s bad luck for monk to attend; but most think it’s OK; bride + groom at temple, & “thread ceremony” (read)‏

Death :

Theravada : reincarnation of the dharma of each person…the balance of good & evil; cremate dead as Buddha was; monks visit family & chant to comfort

Mahayana : just after death, person is in a 4 day trance…

1 st Bardo: monks can communicate w/ dead thru chants, etc.; dead sees bright light …if embrace will be free of rebirth, but most fear it & are reborn (doesn’t know he I dead)‏

2 nd Bardo: person sees thoughts & events in life & knows he is dead

3 rd Bardo: Now free to choose new parents & new identity

APHG: REVIEWING FOR EXAM ON CH. 1-3:

1. 3 types of regions: 12. Pop.pyramids

2. types of diffusion 13. emigration..immigration

3. GPS/GIS, etc. 14. Asian immigr. To USA

4. elements of culture 15. Europ. immig.to USA

5. lat./long.: using it….hi/mid/lo

6. globalization concepts 16. Euro. immigration

7. 3 Types of density 17. US interregional

8. characteristics of MDC’s 18. Latino imm. to USA

& LDC’s 19. urban/rural migr.

9. demographics: TFR, IMR, 20. encouraging migra.?

CDR, CBR, NIR, life expect., 21. push/pull/obstacles…

literacy rate, etc….

10. doubling time: inversely proportional to what???

11. Stages 1…2…3…4…characteristics of each?

CH. 4: Pop vs. Folk Culture

Custom: performed by grp. of ppl.; habit by an individual

US, Great Britain, France, Soviet Union

Middle Atlantic "I" house

China; taboo against pork consumption by Hindus

France; Brazil

popular customs : invented in known time, place, ppl, etc

folk customs : anonymous source, unknown date, unknown originator

7. popular customs diffuse rapidly, extensively, & thru modern communications; folk customs diffuse more slowly, at a smaller scale, & thru migration (reloc. diff.)‏