W12/4-TH12/5/13; TH1/3-F1/4/13; TH1/5/12

Origin & Diffusion of Religions

Ch. 6.2 (pp. 178-191) © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

I. Origin of Religions

A. Universalizing Religions – precise origins, tied to a specific founder 1. Christianity – Founder: Jesus (c.1-32 AD) 2. Islam – Prophet of Islam: Muhammad (c.570-632 AD) 3. Buddhism – Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563-483 BC) 4. Others – Sikhism – Founder: Guru Nanak (1469-1538 AD) – Baha’i – Founder: Bab & Bah’u’llah (19 th Cent. AD) © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

I. Origin of Religions

(cont.) B. Ethnic Religions – Often unclear or unknown origins, not always tied to a specific founder 1. Hinduism: no clear founder • archaeological evidence dating from 2500 B.C.

• 1 st written down c.1500 B.C. • earliest use of

Hinduism

c. sixth century B.C.

2. Confucianism: Confucius (551-479 B.C.) 3. Daoism: Lao-Zi (Lao Tse) (604-531? B.C.) 4. Shintoism: no clear founder; Emperor Meiji (state rel.) 5. Judaism: Abraham 6. Animism: no clear founder © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

Diffusion of Universalizing Religions

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II. Diffusion of Religions

A. Universalizing religions 1. Christianity • Diffuses via relocation and expansion diffusion – Contagious & hierarchical diffusion (w/in expansion diff.) • Role of missionaries – Paul of Tarsus; later monks in Americas, Asia & Africa • Conversion from pagan (Roman) to Christianity – begun under Constantine, confirmed under Theodosius • Impact of internal & external migration patterns in U.S. – Ex: Protestants w/ English, Dutch & German settlers; Catholics w/ French & Irish settlers; Mormons in Utah © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

Early Spread of Christianity

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Distribution of Christians in the U.S.

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Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem – spot of Christ’s burial& resurrection © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

II. Diffusion of Religions

(cont.) A. Universalizing religions (cont.) 2. Islam • Diffuses to North Africa, South and Southeast Asia (also Spain & southeastern Europe briefly) • conquest, trade and conversion 3. Buddhism • Slow diffusion from the core • Emperor Asoka (r. 273-232 BC) • Sri Lankan mission (Mahinda) 4. Sikhism: Punjab region (India) 5. Baha’i: international outlook © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

Spread of Islam

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Spread of Buddhism

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II. Diffusion of Religions

(cont.) B. Ethnic Relgions – Limited diffusion of ethnic religions – Universal religions usually compete with ethnic religions – Ethnic religions can diffuse with migration 1. Examples of mingling: • Christianity with African ethnic religions • Buddhism with Confucianism in China and with Shinto in Japan 2. Judaism – exception to limited diffusion • diaspora, ghettos, history of persecution, Holocaust © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

III. Holy Places

A. Universalizing Religions • Christian churches • Buddhist shrines • Muslim mosques & areas associated w/ life of Muhammad [Mecca, Medina, Kaba, hajj (pilgrimage)] • Sikh Golden Temple at Amristar B. Ethnic Religions • Holy places in Hinduism = closely tied to the physical geography of India • Often relate to cosmogony (origin of universe) in ethnic religions © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

Holy Places in Hinduism

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Al-Kaba

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Golden Temple of Amristar

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IV. Religious Calendars

A. Ethnic Religions – celebration of the seasons 1. The Jewish calendar – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur – lunar vs. solar calendar 2. solstice (winter & summer) B. Universal Religions – celebration of the founder’s life 1. Christian calendar (B.C. vs. A.D.) – Gregorian (Catholic & Protestant) vs. Julian (Eastern Orth.) – Important holidays: Christmas, Easter 2. Islamic Calendar – lunar, sacred month (Ramadan) 3. Buddhist, Sikh – celebrate founder & gurus © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.