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World Religions
A Geographical Case Study
Major World Religions / Philosophies
• Judaism • Christianity• Islam • Hinduism • Buddhism • Sikhism • Confucianism • Daoism / Taoism• Animism / Tribal
South West Asia
India
East Asia
Africa / Americas
World Religions / Philosophies
World Religions / Philosophies
World Population by Religion
Fig. 6-1a: Over two-thirds of the world’s population belong to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. Christianity is the single largest world religion.
Judaism Background
• Abram is the patriarch of the Jewish faith • The Hebrew people come from the line of
Abram / Abraham • Abram was called out of the city of Ur by God
– Told to go to the “Promised Land”– Canaan / Modern Day Israel
Judaism Background
• A new perspective – Worship only 1 god – The ONLY god
• New relationship – Covenant relationship – God was their God and they were His people
Judaism Background
• God sets rules for society / worship – Keep Sabbath day (Saturday) holy – Do not worship other gods – Cutting of hair – Foods not to eat
• Pig, shellfish
– Sabbath year (every 7 years)• Keep fields barren for 1 year
Judaism Background
Important Historical Figures
Judaism Background
Holy Texts
Judaism• Important Places • Israel
– The promised land • Jerusalem
– The capital of the Jewish Kingdom • Temple Mount
– The site of Solomon’s temple – The house of God
• Western Wall / Wailing Wall– The only part left of Solomon’s temple
Judaism
• Groups – Orthodox
• Adhere to traditional practices
– Conservative • Tries to bring Judaism in line with the modern world
– Reform • A halfway point between Orthodox and Conservative
– Reconstructionist • God is not a being / a natural force
Judaism
• Place of worship – Synagogue – A meeting place of discussion – There is no temple so Jewish people need a place
to meet – Led by Rabbi
Judaism
• Where are they now?• Jewish state
– Created in 1947– After WWII
• Europe – Diaspora
• United States – New York
Christianity Background
• Monotheistic • Has foundations in Jewish tradition • Based on teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
– 33 AD – Son of God – God in Human form
• Jesus is the prophesied Jewish Messiah of the OT• Salvation and forgiveness of sins through
substitutionary death – Replaces Jewish sacrificial system
Christianity Background
• Salvation through grace and faith
Christianity Background
• Spreads with Disciples and first missionaries – Initially an outlawed / banned religion
• Becomes a recognized Roman religion with Emperor Constantine – Battle of the Milvian Bridge
• Becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire in 312 AD – Emperor Theodosius
Christianity Background
• Spreads more with European expansion of imperialism and colonialism
• 90% of the Western Hemisphere are professing Christians
Christianity Background
Important Figures
Christianity
• Holy Text• Bible
– Inspired Writing – “Many writers, one author”– Contains OT and NT
Christianity
• Important Places – Jerusalem
• Place of Crucifixition, Burial, Resurrection of Jesus
Christianity
• Place of Worship – Church – Cathedral – Lead by Priest / Pastor / Reverend
Christianity
• Groups – Roman Catholic – Eastern Orthodox – Protestants
• Differ on Church leadership / authority
Christianity
• Groups – How can I tell the difference?
Milan Cathedral
Christianity
• Where are they now?– Western Europe / South America / Central
America• Catholic
– North America / Parts of Western Europe / Africa• Germany / Austria / England • Protestant
– Eastern Europe / Russia • Orthodox
Islam Background
• Monotheistic • Has foundations in the Jewish traditions • Based on the teachings of Muhammad • Muhammad is the last and greatest prophet
of “Allah” – Hebrew Yahweh and Christian God
Islam Background
• Covenant children through Ishmael – Son of Abraham and Hagar
• Salvation through belief in Allah and Muhammad and keeping of the 5 Pillars
Islam Background
• 5 Pillars – Statement of Faith – Hadj – Charity – Prayer
• 5x per day
– Fasting • Ramadan
Islam Background
• Begins in Mecca with Muhammad • First converts travel to Medina • Muhammad conquers Mecca • Islam spreads with Muslim military conquest
– 632 AD – Death of Muhammad – 732 AD – Battle of Tours
Islam Background
• Fastest Growing Religion • 2 largest religion
Islam
Important Figures
Islam
• Holy Texts – Koran
• Revelations to Muhammad by Angel Gabriel • Must be read and kept in Arabic
– Sunna • Traditions of how Muhammad lived his life • Not accepted by all Muslims
Islam
• Important Places– Mecca
• Birthplace of Muhammad
– Medina• First place that accepted Muhammad and Islam
– Jerusalem • Place where Muhammad ascended into heaven
Islam
• Place of Worship – Mosque – Place of Meditation / Prayer – Teaching not as important – Lead by Imam – No / few decorations– No pictures / statues
Islam
• Groups – Sunni
• Largest group • More “liberal” interpretations • Followers of Abu Bakr
– Shia • More orthodox • Direct line of Muhammad • Majority in Iran
Islam
• Where are they now?– SW Asia – Central Asia – Indonesia – North Africa – Central Africa – Europe
• Mainly by immigration / not conversion.
Due to Muslim conquest / Expansion of Empires
Sikhism Background
• Blending of Islam and Hinduism • Monotheistic• Founded by Guru Nanak
– 1469
• Highest teacher is the Guru – Only 10 Gurus in Sikhism– Last died in 1708
Sikhism Background
• 20 million practitioners • Mainly in Northern India
Sikhism Background
• Believe in transmigration of the soul – Final form is the human form
• Merge with God by living a “good” life• Keep teachings of the Gurus
– May not cut hair – Wear certain clothing / items – Men will wear turbans
• Equality among all people / sexes
Sikhism Important Figures
Sikhism
• Holy Text – Guru Granth Sahib
• Writing and poems of the 10 Gurus
– Follow this text for correct living – Considered not only a holy text, but a living,
spiritual being
Sikhism
• Important Places – Sikhs tend not to revere particular places– Holiest of places is the Golden Temple in Amritsar,
India
Sikhism
• Place of Worship – In the home – Gurdwara
• Sikh temple
Sikhism
• Groups – There are no branches in Sikhism
Sikhism
• Where are they now?– Northern India – Spread to other parts of the world
Hinduism Background
• Hinduism has roots dating back to before recorded history – A combination of the Aryan people of the
Caucuses and the “Dasas”, or Dark People, living in India
• There is no single founder or single origin • Believe in 1 god / or multiple gods, depending
on who you talk to
Hinduism Background
• Brahman – The ultimate being – Both a god and the reality of the universe you find
yourself in – All other gods can either be independent or
manifestations of the one god Brahman, because he is the creator of all things
• Again, depending on who you talk to
Hinduism Background
• Reincarnation – Or transmigration of the soul – Occurs through thousands of lifetimes – Until you reach perfect understanding
• Your soul becoming one with Brahman
• Reincarnation depends on your karma – Both good and bad deeds – You go down the ladder with many bad deeds– You go up the ladder with many good deeds
Hinduism Background
• Aryans institute a caste system – Religiously based social classes – Determines everything about your life
Hinduism Important Figures
Hinduism
• Holy Texts – Vedas
• Individually written documents and sacred writings of Hinduism
– Upanishads• A collection of the Vedas over the centuries
– Mahabharata • Worlds longest poem • Contains Hindu teachings and principles
Hinduism
• Important Places– Varanasi, India – Death / cremation here increases chance of
reaching enlightenment
• Ganges River– Holiest River– River of life – A god like being
Hinduism
• Place of Worship – Any temple dedicated to any god in Hinduism – Place of prayer, meditation, sacrifice to gods
Hinduism
• Groups – There are not any branches in Hinduism – It is very wide and accepting – No great divisions
Hinduism
• Where are they now?– Mostly India
Buddhism Background
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama – The Buddha / Enlightened One
• Has it’s roots in Hinduism – Gautama was a prince in northern India – Was a Hindu
• Hinduism had too many requirements – Hinduism was too hard and took too long
• Buddhism is known as the middle path– Don’t live too large or too simple
Buddhism Background
• Buddha rejects the caste system • Goal is Nirvana
– To reach a state of perfect enlightenment or understanding
– A release into the ultimate being of the Universe– Achieved through the 4 Noble Truths and 8 Fold
Path – Once you understand the 4 Noble Truths you can
begin on the 8 Fold Path
Buddhism Background
• Spread East and South along the Silk Road
Buddhism
Important Figures
Buddhism
• Holy Text – Teachings of Buddha – Other followers of Buddha
Buddhism
• Important Places – Revolve around the life of Buddha – Lumbini, Nepal
• Birth place of Buddha
– Bodh Gaya • Where Buddha reached perfect understanding
– Check page 202 in Rubenstein for others
Buddhism
• Place of Worship – Buddhist temples / Meditation Centers– Places of meditation and learning
Buddhism • Groups
– Theravada• Buddha was a teacher of moral living • Not a divine being • Must live a life like Buddha • Orthodox
– Mahayana • Buddha was a divine being • Large Wheel • More inclusive
– Lamaisim • Led by the Dali Lama• A reincarnation of the Buddha
– Zen• Arrangement of Life • Attain enlightenment through physical activities
Buddhism
• Where are they now?– China, Japan, Koreas, SE Asia – Theravada
• SE Asia
– Mahayana • Nepal to Japan
– Lamaism • Tibet (Eastern China)
– Zen • Japan
Confucianism Background
• Developed by Chinese philosopher and thinker Confucius (Kung Futse)
• Trying to create harmony in the world and society – Done through looking to Chinese Traditions – 5 Basic Relationships
• How to live a good life
Confucianism Important Figures
Confucianism
• Holy Text – Not a holy text – A collection of the Grand Master’s sayings – The Analects
Confucianism
• Important Places – No important places
Confucianism
• House of worship – No house of worship – A philosophy on life. Not much else.
Confucianism
• Groups– No groups
Confucianism
• Where are they now?– China – Has been outlawed since communist take over of
China.
Taoism / Daoism Background
• Founded by Lao-tzu • Contemporary of Confucius • A way to find the natural order to life • A way to live in harmony with the world
– Feng Shui
Taoism / Daoism Important Figures
Taoism / Daoism
• Holy Text– Not a holy text– A collection of writing and sayings – Tao Te Ching (the way of virtue)
Taoism / Daoism
• Important Places– No important places
Taoism / Daoism
• Groups – No groups
Taoism / Daoism
• Place of Worship– No place of worship – A philosophy on life
Taoism / Daoism
• Where are they now?– China
Animism / Tribal Background
• Beliefs of indigenous people • Characterized by belief in spirits of the natural
world • Religious leader is usually a shaman
– Spiritual guide and healer
Animism / Tribal
Important Figures
Animism / Tribal
• Holy Text – No holy text – Religious ideas / ceremonies are handed down by
word of mouth – Depends on the group – Will have creation myths, other religious stories
with social significance, etc
Animism / Tribalism
• Important Places– Depends on group – Normally the burial site or hunting grounds will
have particular significance
Animism / Tribal
• Groups – As many tribal people as still exist on the earth – They are not interrelated – They are as distinct as the different tribal groups
Animism / Tribalism
• Place of Worship– Depends on group– Rituals are normally carried out within the village
as prescribed by the shaman.
Animism / Tribal
• Where are they now?– The Americas
• Native Americans – Indian Tribal Groups – Inuit People – Natives of Central and South America
– Africa • Differing tribal groups around the continent • Generally in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sources • Islam. Expansion.
– http://history-world.org/islam4.htm• Sikhism.
– http://www.sikhs.org/topics.htm• Hinduism.
– An Incomplete Education Third Ed. Jones, Judy and Wilson, William. Ballantine Books, New York. 2009.• Buddhism .
– An Incomplete Education Third Ed. Jones, Judy and Wilson, William. Ballantine Books, New York. 2009.
• Taoism. – An Incomplete Education Third Ed. Jones, Judy and Wilson, William. Ballantine Books, New York. 2009.
