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Human Geography 6
Human Geography (Gt-Ss2) (GEO 106)
Colorado Mountain College
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Ch. 6 Religion
Key Issue 1: Where are religions distributed?
There are 2 types of religions: Universalizing- religions that attempt to be global and appeal to all people. Ethnic- religion that primarily appeals to one group of people living in one place. More closely tied to the physical geography of a particular region, especially with agriculture.
Branch- a large fundamental division within a religion. Denomination- a division of a branch that unites a number of local congregations in a single legal and administrative body. Sect- a relatively small group that has broken away from an established denomination. Pilgrimage- a sacred religious journey.
The 3 main universalizing religions are:
CHRISTIANITY- 2 billion followers in N. and S. America, Europe, Australia, and some Asian and African countries. 50% Roman Catholic, 25% Protestant, 10% Eastern Orthodox, and 15% miscellaneous. About 90% of the Western Hemisphere is Christian. 95% Roman Catholic in Latin American, 50% Protestant in the U.
ISLAM- 1 billion followers in Middle East, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh.
Core of beliefs is based on the 5 pillars of faith: 1. There is no god worthy of worship other than the one God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God. 2. A Muslim must pray 5 times daily facing the city of Mecca. 3. A Muslim gives generously to charity, as an act of purification and growth. 4. A Muslim fasts during the month of Ramadan, as an act of self-purification. 5. If physically and financially able, a Muslim makes a pilgrimage to Mecca.
The branches of Islam are Sunni (83%) and Shiite (16%).
BUDDHISM- 365 million followers in China and S. Asia mainly.
Based on the 4 Noble Truths: 1. All living beings must endure suffering. 2. Suffering, which is caused by a desire to live, leads to reincarnation. 3. The goal of all existence is to escape from suffering and the endless cycle of reincarnation into Nirvana (a state of complete redemption), which is achieved through mental and moral self-purification. 4. Nirvana is attained through an Eightfold Path that stresses rightness of belief, resolve, speech, action, livelihood, effort, thought, and meditation.
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The branches of Buddhism are Mahayana (56%), Theravada (38%), and Tantrayana (6%). The other two main universalizing religions other than the above three are: -Sikhism 24 million followers, 21 of which are clustered in the Punjab region of India. -Bahá’í 7 million followers dispersed across the globe.
Some notable ethnic religions are:
HINDU- the world’s 3rd largest religion with 820 million adherents. 97% live in India CONFUCIANISM- mainly in China, stresses ethical lifestyles TAOISM- mainly in China also, followers seek the dao (tao) meaning the way or path. SHINTO- mainly in Japan, before WWII was the state religion and emperor was regarded as divine. JUDAISM- 6 million followers in U., 4 million in Israel, 2 million in Russia, 2 million elsewhere. First religion to support monotheism- the belief in only 1 god, as opposed to polytheism- the belief in many gods. ANIMISM- traditional African religions that focus on the animate qualities of normally considered inanimate objects, like stones, water, etc. Animism is a sort of all- encompassing term rather than a specific religion. I will now shamelessly plug my own work and say that for more info on African religions, ask Mr. King to see the truly fabulous one-of-a-kind presentation that a certain student of his has prepared.
Key Issue 2: Why do religions have different distributions?
As a general rule, universalizing religions have origins based on a specific individual’s life in the past, ethnic religions typically have either no origin or an unclear one at best.
Some religious origins: Christianity- based on the life of Jesus Islam-trace lineage back through Abraham’s other son Ishmael; based on the life of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. Buddhism- based on the life of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Buddha (the enlightened one) Sikhism- founded by Guru Nanak about 500 years ago. Hindu- did not originate with a specific founder. Beginnings of Hindu date back to before recorded history.
Missionaries- individuals who help to transmit a universalizing religion through relocation diffusion. Pagan- followers of polytheistic religions in ancient times. Ghetto- city slum designated for Jew habitation. Cosmogony- creation story. Solstice- day when sun is at highest or lowest point in the sky.
Diffusion of Religions
Christianity spread mainly through the work of missionaries, and also by some conquest and colonization.
Human Geography 6
Course: Human Geography (Gt-Ss2) (GEO 106)
University: Colorado Mountain College
