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Different Cultures through Religions. Culture. Refers to a person’s total way of life. Including Language Religion Beliefs Customs Institutions Technology. Cultural Perceptions . It makes each person who and what they are in the world.
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Culture • Refers to a person’s total way of life. • Including • Language • Religion • Beliefs • Customs • Institutions • Technology
Cultural Perceptions • It makes each person who and what they are in the world. • When it comes to different cultures they may have customs that shock, intrigue us as humans. We may disagree with these customs. • The perceptions of Cultures have created many misunderstandings and conflicts in the world.
Religion • One of the key aspects to understanding cultures is religion. • Different religions can control what people eat, wear, or how they act in their daily lives.
Animism Followers: Indigenous peoples including Shinto, and some forms of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Central Beliefs: refers to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life- principle. Different spirits include: Animals Plants Places Ex: Inuit Tribe in Canada, Pocahontas
Hinduism • Followers: Hindu • Gods: There are 1,000’s of Gods and Goddesses. (Polytheism) Brahma is the chief god. • Central Figure: No central figure, but the Brahmins are the religious leaders. • Karma: Persons behavior in life on earth will determine that persons form in the next life. Sacred Objects: Ganges River in India and the Cow is a sacred animal. Texts: Vedas Caste System: Strict separation of classes; no marriage or association with other “castes”. This is now banned in India, but still occurs. Areas of Concentration: India and Nepal
Judaism • Followers: Jews • Believe: One God (Monotheism) • Central/ Sacred Figures: Abraham and Moses Sacred Site: Jerusalem and the Wailing wall. Text: Torah and Talmud Areas of Concentration: widely scattered, however, an overwhelming majority are located in the United States and Israel
Philosophy: referred to as this and most don’t believe in a “God” • Basic philosophy: Based on self-denial and mediation. • Sacred Figure: • Indian prince named Siddhartha Guatama also known as Buddha which means “The Enlightened One” • Sacred Text: Pali Canon • Buddhism: Concentrated in China, Tibet, Japan, Australia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka • The Dalai Lama- Buddhist monk, leader of the Tibetans (more about his struggles in Tibet soon) Buddhism
Buddhist Temple and Stupa
Confucianism • Confucius = Politician, advisor to the king. • Way of life taught by Confucius. • Was so successful that the king gave him his own province. • Others were jealous and convinced the king to throw Confucius out. • Once Confucius dies, people began to write down many of his thoughts. • Philosophy goes well with communism because a major premise is “obey your government” & “humans are teachable”
Shintoism • Followers: Shinto • Polytheistic • More of a way of life than a religion • Native Religion in Japan (not an “official” religion of Japan) • Creation story: Spirits created & then lived on the Japanese islands • Kami = supernatural force inclusive of gods, spirit figures, & human ancestors. • Followers go to shrines to worship kami
Taoism (Daoism) • Emphasis on living in harmony with Tao • Prefers little (govt involvement) anarchism & laissez-faire government. • Emphasize: compassion, moderation & humility • Text: Tao Te Ching • Official Deity: Jade Emperor • Largely influences Chinese culture. • Not truly a religion, has some religious aspects.
Christianity • Followers are Christians • Believe in one God • Central/Sacred Figures: Jesus, Peter, Paul • Text: Bible (New Testament) • Sacred Site: • Jerusalem and Bethlehem • Areas of Concentration: • North and South America • Europe • Russia • Australia • New Zealand • The Philippines • Sub-Saharan Africa
Islam • Followers: Muslims • Believe in one God • Sacred/ Central Figures: • Allah (God) and the Prophet Muhammad. • Sacred Site: Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem • Sacred Text: Qu’ran (Koran) • Areas of Concentration: • The Middle East • Africa • Europe • United States • Central and South Asia • China
Sikhism • Followers: Sikh • Believe: In one God • Mix of Hinduism and Islam • Sacred/ Central Figures: • God and the founder Guru Nanak • Sacred Places: The Golden Temple in Pubjab, India • Areas of Concentration: India, SE Asia, Pakistan, UK, Europe