INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS GEOGRAPHY

How can we classify religions?

How many gods? Monotheism: One god (Christianity,

Judaism, Islam) Polytheism: Multiple gods (Hinduism,

Paganism)

How organized? Hierarchical religion:

Well-defined geographic structure Administrative units Well organized Ex- Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalian,

Anglicans Autonomous religion:

Self-sufficient Loose cooperation and shared ideas Ex- Islam, Baptists

Universalizing v. Ethnic v. Tribal Universalizing religions

Attempts to be global Appeal to all people, regardless of ethnicity Goal is proselytizing (making converts) Examples? Diffusion?

Universalizing v. Ethnic v. Tribal Ethnic Religions

Appeals to a group of people living in one place

Conversion (usually) possible Must adopt cultural practices

Examples? Diffusion?

Universalizing v. Ethnic v. Tribal Tribal Religions

Appeal to small, specific group of people Contains Animism and/or shamanism

(usually both)

Universalizing v. Ethnic v. Tribal Animism – belief that natural objects

contain spirits or gods; may include ancestor worship

Shamanism – belief that world of spirits or gods that can only be communicated with by a shaman or priest

Examples: Native American Religions, African Religions

How do they differ? Beliefs

Symbols

Worship Spaces

Burial