Chapter 11 - Origins/Distribution of Religions

1. Chapter 11 - Origins/Distribution of Religions Religion, like language is a symbol of group identity and a cultural rallying point. A binding force, if not tech advanced, set the standards for eating habits/dress codes/ and other rules of daily life. Like languages, religions change constantly with the resistance from leaders and bureaucracies Religion diffusion takes place everywhere, no cultural or language barriers

2. The Geography of Religion-intro • Religion is part of life in many non-Western areas. • Characteristics of the religions-set of doctrines and beliefs, rituals(Sunday Worships, prayer) • The daily influence of religion can be seen in our calendar, holidays, architectural landmarks, place names, even the money (In God We Trust) • Religions help the poor, promoting arts and providing medical help but also, blocked scientific study, supported colonialism, encouraged the oppression of dissidents and condemned women to an inferior status in many societies.

3. Sources and Distributions • Definition of religion cause the data unreliable while counting the population in religions • Table 11-1 : a rough estimate. • 1.6 billion Christian include 520 million in Europe and the former Soviet Union, 350 million in N and mid America, 300 million in S. America and 165 million in Asia • Islam with 1 billion, 165 million more than Roman Catholics • Judaism and Christianity from Israel and Jordan • Islam from the teaching of Muhammad a resident of Mecca in western Arabia • Hindu from Indus region of Pakistan • Buddhism from teaching of Prince Siddhartha in northern India

4. Christianity • Roman Catholicism-largest segment of Christianity • Protestant - N. Europe+N. America+ Australia+New Zealand+S. Africa • Eastern Orthodox -Europe, Russia and its neighboring states, Africa (Ethiopia) and N. America Hinduism • No bureaucracy structure like Christianity and Islam • Polytheisitc - many gods(thousands) • No Bible or Koran -like books • Concentrates in a single geographic region • Majority live in India, although extends into Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepel

5. Islam • The fastest growing religion in the world with 1 billion • N Africa + Southwest Asia, Soviet Union and China including Indonesia, Bangladesh and southern Mindanao in the Philippines. • Outside Islamic world - 120 million in India, 170 million in subsaharan African (55 million in Nigeria) • Largest Muslim country - Indonesia 165 million Judaism • In Middle East and N. Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, N and S America. • One of great religion of the world, • Three main branches - Orthodox, Conservative and Reform • Strong ethnic distinctiveness • 18 million

6. Buddhism and Shintoism • Buddhism: Originated from India, 340 million adherents in China and Japan • Shintoism- Japanese ethnic religion, closely related to Buddhism • 45 million reported adherents in Japan, but the modernization is reducing the importance of Shintoism Chinese Religions • With the elements of Buddhism mixed with local belief systems • No supernatural omnipotence • Confucianism - a philosophy of life • Taoism - human happiness lies in maintaining the proper relationship with nature

7. America’s Black Muslims, or Nation of Islam • W.D. Fard built “Nation of Islam” in 30s to free American Black from white oppression • Elijah Muhammad brought new strength to the Nation of Islam, his son Wallace Muhammad strengthened tie with African and Caribbean countries and changed name to American Muslim Mission • Ideology of the Nation of Islam - mixture of nationalism and a modified form of Islam • Malcom X led the Nation to a national visibility • Mosques - largest temples in New York and LA • 1995 Million Man March

8. Muslim Population in the US • Three types of Muslims:a)Immigrants b)Converted c) born to the first two groups Ethnic Pop(x1,000) % Def. African Am. 2,100 42 Af.Am S Asian 1,220 24.4 Indian/ Pakistan/ Bangladesh, Afghan Arab 620 12.4 Africans 260 5.2 Iranians 180 3.6 Turks 120 2.4 SE Asians 100 2.0 Am Whites 80 1.6 E Europeans 40 0.8 Other 280 5.6 Total 5,000 100 Source: American Muslim Council

9. Shamanism and Traditional Religions • In Africa and other parts of the world. Traditional, local culture religion. Shamanism - community follow their shaman; religion leader/teacher/healer/visionary • If organized well, it will develop into a world religion • Traditional religion in Africa - believe in a god/creator as superhuman or human Secularism - indifference to or rejection of religious ideas • 1) Church member dropped under communist rule in Soviet Union and China 2)After the rise of Protestantism, the priest became less powerful. Separation of politics from church began • 3) Sundays, business was closed but not now. • 4) Mormon still observes Sunday

10. Religions classification • 1) Base on “Reach” - a) Global (Universal)Religion Christianity, Islam and various form of Buddhism b) Cultural (Regional) Religions - dominate a single national culture - Hinduism in India, Shintoism in Japan • 2) Based on “Focus” - Monotheistic/Polytheistic/Animistic • Christianity is the largest and most widespread religion

11. Assignment • Read the Zen Story and email me your reactions to at lease four stories of your choice. • Send the answers to the above assignments to me via email: pli@tntech.edu before 3/4/2002 (Monday) or if you have problems using the computer, just turn in your assignment in the class on that day. • Remember to put your name in the message, sometimes if you send the mail from different account I will have hard time to guess who you are.