Slide 1: Geography of Religion
Part 2
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Slide 2: Mystical places
Believed to have some connection with the supernatural; not related to religion
Example: The Bermuda Triangle
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Slide 3: Religious Diffusion
Indus-Ganga Hearth
Semitic Religious Hearth
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Slide 4: Religious Diffusion Christianity, Islam, Judaism
The origin of the four major religions occurred in somewhat close proximity (why?) Hierarchical and contagious diffusion were the main agents of diffusion in the Semitic Religious Hearth
Contact conversion—Early conversion to monotheism, especially Judaism, came from everyday contact between “believers” and “non-believers” Christianity—conversion through missionary work, military take-overs, conversion of kings/tribal leaders Islam—conversion through missionary work along trade routes, military take-overs
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Slide 5: Religious Diffusion
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Slide 6: Religious Diffusion Hinduism, Buddhism
Hindus gained converts during missionary work to areas overseas—most of these converts have been lost to other religions Buddhism—originally confined to India; missionaries later traveled to East and Southeast Asia
Many reabsorbed by Hinduism, esp. in India
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Slide 7: Barriers and Time-Distance Decay
Religious ideas weaken with distance from the source and with time Barriers are usually permeable—allowing at least partial acceptance of a new religion Absorbing barriers—the religion is not accepted at all
The case of Christianity in China (original sin, the “sin” of knowledge, the snake as devil) Religious ideas and taboos can act as absorbing barriers to diffusion of other cultural traits (food, drink, practices that violate religious doctrine)
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Slide 8: Religion and Globalization
Proselytic religions have failed to create a single global following
Pitting religious groups against one another Conflict—Are we in the middle of WWIII?
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Slide 9: Religious Ecology
Religion is an adaptive strategy—if we appease (the) God(ess)(s), we will survive the forces of nature This is most apparent in which faith?
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Slide 10: Religious Ecology
Religion is an adaptive strategy—if we appease (the) God(ess)(s), we will survive the forces of nature This is most apparent in the animistic, tribal faiths, where the goal is to mediate between people and the spirits found all around them
Cenotes in the Yucatan
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Slide 11: Geomancy
Geomancy—choosing environmentally auspicious sites for structures or activities (feng-shui--“fung shway”)
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Slide 12: The Natural World as Sacred Space
Features of the natural world may function as sacred space
Ganga (Ganges) R. (Hindu); Jordan R. (Christian); Mt. Shasta cults
Features of the natural world may function as sacred symbols
Evergreen trees to symbolize eternal life
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Slide 13: Religion and Environmental Modification
Ecotheology—Religion may, in large part, determine the extent to which culture groups modify the environment
Teleology—Earth was created specifically for human consumption
Humans are separate from nature, lords over nature Humans are God’s helpers in finishing the works of Creation
#1—Judeo/Christian teleological view #2—Scientific view
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Slide 14: Religious Ecology
Some religious sects (such as fundamentalist Protestants) view Earth’s destruction as a sign of the coming of Christ Ahimsa—The opposite of teleology, established animal shelters and preached non-harm Hindu cremation rites have led to a reduction in trees
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Slide 15: Environment and Religion
Female deities—tend to be associated with farming societies and plant domesticators where fertility of the land is necessary
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Slide 16: Environment and Monotheism
Semitic Religious Hearth—In/on deserts of S.W. Asia, in the Middle East, among nomadic herders Environmental determinist explanation—Ellen Churchill Semple:
Monotony of the environment Impression of unity, sense of order, a guiding hand Desert-dwellers “gravitate inevitably toward monotheism” Social structure of nomadic herding; single, male, dictatorial chief Led to single, male god
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Possiblistic reasoning:
Real reasons are still not clear
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With respect to religions and social changes, new ideas tend to develop at the fringes where old ideas are more loosely accepted, there is more freedom from social pressure and laws, and survival depends on flexibility
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Slide 18: Godliness and Greenness
“Western Christian thought is too rich and complex to be characterized as hostile toward nature,” –Robin Doughty The link between godliness and greenness has begun to spread throughout the world, into many different denominations Humans as stewards, or caretakers, maintaining the beauty of creation
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Slide 19: Religion and Environmental Perception
Religious world views can influence human perception of the environment and of natural hazards and disasters, from fatalistic acceptance, to “God helps those who help themselves”
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Slide 20: Religion and Cultural Interaction
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Slide 21: How do religion and culture influence each other?
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Slide 22: How have you experienced this intersection between religion and culture in your own life? Where do you notice religion’s influences in our society the most?
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Slide 23: Religion and Economy
Emphasis in economy on products used in regular ceremonies
The example of wine
Ancient use in worship, even before Christianity
Affects regional toponyms (more on this later)
De-emphasis on products that are taboo Can have a big effect on the economy, especially where one faith dominates
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Slide 24: Religion and Alcohol
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Slide 25: Religious Pilgrimage
Especially important in Islam, Hinduism, Shintoism and Roman Catholicism Acts as a form of tourism, contributing to the local economy
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Slide 26: Religion and Politics
Many nations of the world have governments which are intertwined with religion
Theocracy—When the religious leaders rule the government State Church—A church recognized by law as the only one in the state or nation and the government controls it
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Slide 27: Religion and Politics
Voting patterns of democratic nations often reflect religious views
Congregations may be lectured during religious services on how to vote on issues Example of the 2004 Election—Courting of religious groups by candidates
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Slide 28: Religion and Landscape
Sacred spaces create sacred landscapes Religious structures
Buildings erected to house divinities or shelter worshippers
Religious landscapes may reflect blending or conquering
marae
chapel
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Slide 29: Muslim Landscapes
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Slide 30: Christian Landscapes
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Slide 31: Hindu Landscapes
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Slide 32: Landscapes of Animism
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Slide 33: Religious Iconography
Iconography—symbols on the landscape which distinguish between the sacred and the profane in landscape and structures (crosses, shrines, signs with scripture or slogans, etc.)
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Slide 34: Landscapes of the Dead
Beni Hassan Islamic necropolis, central Egypt
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Slide 35: 35 Taj Mahal in Agra, India—a Muslim tomb for a beloved wife
Slide 36: Yucatán crypts—many Catholics of Central and South American origin decorate family gravesites during the festival of Día de Los Muertos
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Slide 37:
Of all the rituals that change as a culture changes, is blended or conquered, or a group or person is assimilated, our rituals surrounding death are the last to be altered
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Slide 38: Religious Toponymns
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