World Geography

Culture Continued...

*Religion
-A belief in a supernatural power or powers that are regarded as the creators of the universe

• Monotheistic- belief in one gods
• Polytheistic- belief in many gods
• Animistic (traditional)- divine forces in nature

>>Religions spread through diffusion and through converts

^Some religions actively seek to convert followers (ex. Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism)

^Others do not (ex. Judaism)

*3 of the major religions began in SW Asia & 2 in South Asia

• SW Asia- Judaism, Christianity, Islam

>>Share similar basic beliefs, some prophets, & teachers

^Judaism- the oldest of the monotheistic religions

-Concentrated in Israel but followers live all over the world

-An ethnic religion with faith & culture tied tightly together

-Basic laws & teachings come from the Torah, the Jewish holy book

^Christianity- evolved from the teachings of Judaism

-Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ

-Teachings are recorded in the Bible, the Christian holy book

-Christianity is spread all throughout the world

• There are 3 major groups: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox

-Islam- based on the teachings of Muhammed

• Muslims worship God, whom they call Allah
• Has close ties with Judaism & Christianity with many of the same teachers and prophets
• Holy Book is called the Quran
• 2 major divisions

-Sunni

-Shiite

-Hinduism

• Concentrated in India
• Polytheistic, believe in one or many gods, all who are a part of the divine spirit, Brahman

-Buddhism- offshoot of Hinduism

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (1st Buddha)
• Promotes the correct way of living in order to reach nirvana
• Spread over Asia