Religion 101
What is Religion? Beliefs in a higher power or spirits Set of moral beliefs, way of life Way to explain the unexplainable Cosmogony Monotheistic vs. Polytheistic
Organizing Religion Universalizing Religion Ethnic Religion Goal: globalization Revolve around a founder Not limited to one culture Proselytism Ethnic Religion Does not look to spread Origins are unknown Tends to be limited to one geographic area
Classification Examples Universalizing Religions Christianity Buddhism Islam Ethnic Religions Hinduism Judaism Daoism Shintoism Animist religions
Organizing Religion Hierarchical vs. Autonomous religions Organization Branch Roman Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox Denomination Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopalian Sect Cults, ultra-orthodox
Major Universalizing Religions: Christianity Islam Buddhism
Christianity World’s largest religion Origins Over 2 billion members Begins with teachings of Jesus Spreads with relocation and contagious diffusion at first Later spreads through hierarchical when Constantine converts to Christianity in 380 AD
Islam 1.3 Billion adherents Concentrated in Mid East, N Africa and Asia Built on five pillars (beliefs) Two major branches Sunni Shia Spreading to Europe and North America
Buddhism Roughly 365 million Based on 4 noble truths Hard to make an accurate count Not an exclusive religion like Christianity or Islam
Major Ethnic Religions Hinduism Roughly 80 percent of India Polytheistic Reincarnation Judaism One of the oldest organized religions Diffused only due to relocation diffusion Closely related to Christianity and Islam
Religious Organization of Space Places of Worship Christianity: Churches Islam: Mosques Hindu: Temples Burial Burial in the ground Cremation
Religious Conflict: Religion vs. Government The Taliban Sharia Law Banning western influences British vs. Caste System Hindu Caste System British and Christian missionaries Communism vs. Eastern Orthodox Banning religion in USSR
Religious Conflict: Religion vs. Religion Interfaith Boundaries Enclave and Exclave The Middle East Holy land for Islam, Judaism and Christianity Crusades Israel vs. Palestine India vs. Pakistan Sri Lanka Northern Ireland