Chapter 6 Section 4 Why Do Territorial Conflicts Arise Among Religious Groups?

Religious Conflicts Religion vs. government policies – Secular government neutralizes religion – Religious government does not tolerate other religions Religion vs. religion – Competition over followers – Competition over territory/sites – Competition over power/control – Clashing beliefs- exclusive adherence – Schism over beliefs within a religion

Diversity There are lots of different cultures One of the most important parts of culture is religion Religions are particularly important and require faith and, most of the time, exclusive loyalty People are very protective of religions and believe their religion is the “right” religion This is a form of ethnocentrism

Diversity When two religions are involved or more, then a conflict will often arise Most religions require exclusive adherence so if there is competition, one must prevail This has caused religious wars throughout world history In addition, with globalization increasing migration and interaction among groups, religious differences have been even more prevelant

Diversity Some groups push for a blending of cultures and even religions Others push or accept the universalizing religion Others cling even more to their religion and start practicing a fundamentalist form Fundamentalism is a literal and strict interpretation and requires strict and intense adherence to a religion People practice this to protect their religion and culture- way of life

Religion vs. Government Many countries today aren’t ruled by religion In fact, many try to keep them separated (separation of church and state, US first amendment’s establishment clause) This creates some tension between religious adherents and governments at times Secular government trying to remain neutral on religion Current government in Afghanistan and the Taliban- democracy and fundamentalist Islam The Caste System in India- government and Hinduism

Religion vs. Government Certain government systems are less tolerant and more likely to persecute religious groups or limit them Socialism and Communism push culture assimilation and less self-expression and choice- the government is much more involved Communist China banned Daoism Communist Soviet Union limited Eastern Orthodoxy and Islam Southeast Asian communist countries limited Buddhism

Government vs. Religion The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists He is the spiritual leader and the head of the government of Tibet China ruled Tibet from 1720 until its independence in 1911 They invaded it in 1950 and turned in into a Chinese province called Xizang and forced communism on it

Government vs. Religion A rebellion ensued China crushed it in 1959 and executed or imprisoned tens of thousands and forced 100,000 including the Dalai Lama to emigrate Buddhist temples were destroyed

Government vs. Religion When the Dalai Lama dies, Tibetan Buddhists believe that his spirit enters the body of a child China rules it as a province and says they must approve the child who is the reincarnated Dalai Lama- possibly could lead to 2 of them pc_tibet pc_tibet In Tibet, ¼ of the men are monks The others practice polygamy to produce enough children to maintain the population Globalization has decreased the number becoming monks It has also changed religious devotion and beliefs and practices Can it continue as it has?

Potala Palace, Lhasa Tibet

Government vs. Religion Governments that are influenced by religion may also be against any religion not state- sanctioned Iran focuses on Sharia law and is not tolerant of other religions Baha'i massacres in the 1800s Restrictions on missionary work

Religion vs. Religion With globalization and interaction, religions are going to bump into each other Sometimes it results in conflict Many wars throughout world history have started over religious differences Crusades What else? Which conflict did you choose? What happened?

Religion vs. Religion Ireland (independent)- 92% Catholic Northern Ireland (part of UK)- 58% Protestant and 42% Catholic Fundamentalists in Ireland want to unite all of Ireland IRA- the Irish Republican Army worked from 1968 to 1999 to do this, using any means necessary Peace talks in still issues

Distribution of Protestants in Ireland, 1911 Fig 6-14: When Ireland became independent in 1937, 26 northern districts with large Protestant populations chose to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Catholic Protestors in Northern Ireland

Religion vs. Religion Religious wars in the Middle East Holy sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims Fight over Jerusalem Crusades between Muslims and Christians Jews versus Muslims in Palestine Israel established- modern conflict between Palestinians (Muslims) and Israelis (Jews)

Jerusalem Fig. 6-15: The Old City of Jerusalem contains holy sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Boundary Changes in Palestine/Israel Fig. 6-16: The UN partition plan for Palestine in 1947 contrasted with the boundaries that were established after the War. Major changes later resulted from the 1967 War.

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Political and Physical maps Fig. 6-17: The West Bank and Gaza have been under Israeli control since 1967, and numerous Israeli settlements have been established there. The area includes three physical regions: the coastal plain, the hills, and the Jordan River Valley.

Section of Israeli Security Barrier Fig : A typical section of the security barrier built by Israel in the West Bank.

Israel’s Barrier in the West Bank Fig : The planned route of Israel’s security barrier in the West Bank includes many of Israel’s settlements in the territory.

The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Temple Mount contains sites holy to both Jews and Muslims, including the Western Wall of the Second Temple, al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Dome of the Rock.

Praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem

Control of the Holy Lands: mperial-history.html mperial-history.html

Sikhs versus Hindus In June 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered an attack on armed Sikh militants holed up in the Golden Temple. Over 500 people were killed in the ensuing firefight, and Sikhs around the world were outraged at the desecration of their holiest site. Four months after the attack, Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, leading to a massacre followed in which thousands of Sikhs lost their lives. related related

Religious Conflicts in General Consistently emerge Most require exclusive adherence Might be between religious and non-religious people Debate over Christmas between atheists and Christians