1. UNIT 3: CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
Religious Conflict
UNIT 3: CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
Session 10

2. LEARNING TARGETS SESSION 10 Religious Conflict
Define inter-faith and intra-faith conflict
Identify the major causes of religious conflict
Discuss the history behind the Israeli/Palestinian conflict
Identify other major religious conflicts worldwide.
LEARNING TARGETS
SESSION 10
Religious Conflict

3. Causes of Religious Conflict
Conflict can occur for any number of reasons both between religions and within the same religion (Intra-faith or Interfaith)
Due to the nature of religion these conflicts can exist for a long time and have little chance for lasting compromise.
Causes of Religious Conflict:
Doctrinal Differences: When religions, branches, denominations and disagree over what is the true religion and may deem the other side heretical
Territorial Dispute: When religions claim the same territory or expand into a territory controlled by another religion
Religion and Government: People who prefer a theocracy (religion and government as one) or a secular government (religion and government are separate)
Religion and Ideology: During the Cold War and in Communist countries today, religious activities were discouraged due to the perceived threat to the state…
“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world…It is the opium of the people.” Karl Marx
Religion and Social Change: The views of human equality that are diffusing with Western popular culture through globalization can cause friction with very conservative societies and even meet violent resistance.
Causes of Religious Conflict
Session 10

4. Article: Religious Conflict on the Rise
As a class we will read an article and then discuss
Religious Conflict
Article: Religious Conflict on the Rise
Session 10

5. Israel-Palestine Conflict
Jews, Christians, and Muslims have fought for over 2,000 yrs for small piece of land and control over the city of Jerusalem
Jews and Muslim Palestinians claim historical and spiritual tie to land through the patriarch Abraham
Isaac and Ishmael
The Romans removed the Jews and dispersed them throughout Europe, during which point the population remaining largely converted to Islam centuries later
By the 20th century, growing anti-Semitism, the Balfour Declaration and finally the events of the Holocaust opened the door for Jewish return (Zionism)
1948 Israel recognized by UN, but no state of Palestine, creating a refugee crisis after warfare breaks out between the two sides
Three subsequent wars are fought by Arab nations against Israel in ’56, ’67, ’73…each time Israel wins and expands into more land (West Bank, Golan Heights, etc.)
Various attempts at peace have been thwarted by radicals on both sides including assassinations, bombings, rocket fire and invasions
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Session 10

6. Israel-Palestine Conflict
Watch the video write down 5 questions or comments dealing with the Arab and Israeli conflict still going on
Find the link to the video to watch at home on Vision
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Video: Promised Land
Session 10

7. Check for Understanding: Student Discussion
What is the difference between and inter-faith and an intra-faith conflict? Which are more common?
What are the main causes for religious conflict in the world today?
What is the history behind the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? What were the major events that have led to the situation today?
Check for Understanding: Student Discussion

8. Activity: Other Global Religious Conflict
In the computer lab, research other major religious conflicts and fill out the graphic organizer provided…
Conflicts:
Cyprus
East Timor
India (Kashmir)
Iraq
Kosovo
Myanmar
Nigeria
Northern Ireland
Pakistan
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
Thailand
Tibet (China)
Religious Conflicts
Activity: Other Global Religious Conflict
Session 10

9. Ethnicity and Nationality
NEXT CLASS
SESSION 11
Ethnicity and Nationality