Religion

Religion is…• A difficult concept to define

• A system of beliefs & practices that seeks to order life in terms of culturally perceived priorities

• Often includes an established set of symbols, rituals, and sacred texts that explain the origin of life, the universe, or the meaning of life.

Overview of Five Major Religions

• TED Talk

Classification of Religion

Examples of Universalizing and Ethnic Religions

Example of an Ethnic Religion: Judaism

• At its most basic, a Jew is anyone born of a Jewish mother. Though a person can convert to Judaism, it is a complex process that has traditionally been discouraged.

• Sex and the City clip - Charlotte wants to convert

Examples of orthodox and syncretic religions

• Syncretism– The merging of different religions – Umbanda, a religion practiced in parts of Brazil, blends elements of

Catholicism with a reverence for the souls of native people, wise men, and historical Brazilian figures

– One view of Sikhism is that it is a syncretism of Hinduism (particularly the Bhakti movement) and Islam (particularly Sufism)

• Orthodox– Adhering to the accepted or traditional faith– Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam have orthodox strains

Note: There are many denominations NOT listed.

Cultural Hearths • Zoroastrianism – Persia • Hinduism & Buddhism – South Asia

(India/Nepal)• Judaism & Christianity – Eastern

Mediterranean • Islam – Arabian Peninsula • Shinto – Japan

Reminder: Cultural hearth is where ideas, innovations, or cultures first emerge

Diffusion of 3 Major Religions

Spread of Religions• Diffusion of major world religions video• As you watch, pay attention to cultural

hearths and diffusion. • What slowed or sped up the diffusion of

the major religions?

Look @ that __________________ map projection.

How is the map (presented at this scale) an incomplete representation of the geography of religion?

• The map doesn’t show small areas where other religions dominate.

• The map masks much “diversity” and “variation” in religions.

• The map overgeneralizes.

Adherents to Major World Religions

Religion Number of Adherents

Percent of Total Global Adherents

Christianity 2.1 billion 41.79%Islam 1.34 billion 26.67%Hinduism 950 million 18.91%Buddhism 347 million 6.9%Traditional beliefs

250 million 4.97%

Sikhism 24 million 0.48%Judaism 13 million 0.26%

Read the article regarding the use of the hijab, or head scarf, in Iran.

Answer the questions regarding religious clothing on the sheet provided.

Orthodoxy vs. Fundamentalism• Fundamentalism:

– movement to return to the founding principles of the religion, which can include literal interpretation of sacred texts

– Often attempts to follow the ways of the religious founder closely– Can be intolerant of other religions– Can be intolerant of fellow believers who are not following the

“proper” ways.

• Orthodoxy: Also a desire to return to the founding principles of a religion; however, many who consider themselves orthodox are tolerant of other beliefs.

Fundamentalist vs. Extremist• Why do People become Religious Extremists?• Read the handout called “Religious

Fundamentalism.”• Answer the questions at the end of the

article.

Indigenous Religions

Yellow: Widely diffused traditional, indigenous beliefs Green: Traditional, indigenous beliefs exist in pocketsOrange: Widely diffused Chinese indigenous religion Red: Widely diffused Shintoism

Look @ that __________________ map projection.

Indigenous Religions• Indigenous religions

– Local in scope– Usually have a

reverence for nature– Passed down through

family units and groups (tribes) of indigenous peoples.

– No central tenet can be ascribed to all indigenous religions.

Shamanism• Shamanism

– A community faith in which people follow their shaman

– The shaman is a • religious leader• teacher• healer• visionary

– Shamanist faiths are small and comparatively isolated.

The Rise of Secularism • Secular: indifference to or rejection of

organized religious affiliation & ideas, non-religious

Read the article regarding the Pew Research Study on religion in the U.S.

On a sheet of paper, describe the growth of secularism in the United States.•What are the causes?•Why is it reflected in the younger generation?•How has increasing diversity impacted Christianity in the U.S.?

Secularization – another view

• Does Science Argue for or Against God?• Discussion:

– In your opinion, have scientific ideas reduced the number of religious followers?