GEOGRAPHICAL AND CULTURAL FOUNDATION OF RELIGION

[Virtual Presenter] Good morning everyone! Today we are here to explore the topic of religion and its relationship to geography. We will look at how different religions have evolved in different geographical areas and how those areas have been shaped by religion and culture. As we move through this presentation we will take a close look at examples from Buddhism Islam Christianity and Animism..

[Audio] This slide focuses on the interconnectedness between geography culture and religions. To understand how these elements are related to each other we will be exploring examples from various religions such as Buddhism Islam Christianity and Animism. Let's take a look at the geography of these religions. Buddhism is said to have originated in India around the 6th century B-C-E-- - while Christianity began in Judea during the 1st century CE. Islam was founded in the Arabian Peninsula during the 7th century CE and Animism has been practiced in numerous parts of the world throughout history. Each of these religions has its own unique culture which has been heavily influenced by their geographic location and the people who practice them. For example Buddhism typically has a strong focus on meditation and compassion while Christianity has a strong focus on faith and religious devotion. Islam is known for its emphasis on family and community values while Animism often has an emphasis on nature and its spiritual power. These religions have also been known to have an influence on other cultures. Buddhism for example is one of the most influential religions in East Asia and has had an impact on countries such as China Japan and Vietnam. Christianity and Islam are two of the most influential religions in the world and have had a major impact on countries in Europe the Middle East and North and South America. By studying the geography culture and religions of these religious groups we can better understand how they are interconnected and how they shape our world today..

[Audio] Geography is often seen to have a major role in determining religion. Environmental determinism holds that human activities are greatly influenced by the environment while the synergistic principle states that there is an active relationship between environment and culture. This is seen in how the environment shapes the way we live and how our culture shapes the environment in return. This interplay is particularly influential in the formation and development of religions as it influences the types of religious practices and how they shape our environment. Thus an understanding of how geography affects religion is key in looking at the connection between the two..

[Audio] Understanding the Triadic method is essential to comprehend how religion can shape and influence culture. This method consists of three aspects: absorption transformation and rejection. Absorption takes place when a culture adapts certain elements from other cultures like language and customs. Transformation is the process of tailoring those adopted elements to make them specific to a particular culture. Lastly rejection is the refusal of those elements which are found to be too different or unlike the existing culture..

[Audio] Buddhism encourages admiration for nature and attempts to take on change and become something unique in comparison to Hinduism. It also dismisses certain aspects that are considered insignificant. Likewise Islam adopts modifies and discards components of already existing cultures to form its own religion..

[Audio] Christianity is not a language however it has incorporated aspects of the Hebraic and Aramaic culture and belief systems. With Christianity now established the Mosaic Law was altered to incorporate certain teachings of Christianity while at the same time rejecting practices such as idol worship..

[Audio] The Spanish colonization of the Philippines was a period of great change for the region. Not only did it bring with it a new government and official religion but the beliefs and practices of the people of the Philippines were profoundly impacted. Animism a set of beliefs and practices based on the worship of nature and vital elements was replaced by Christianity. In their attempt to spread Christianity the Spanish changed some animistic practices from offering food to the spirits to offering it to God instead. However some practices were completely rejected and were instead seen as demonic..

GEOGRAPHY OF RELIGION.

[Audio] Geography plays an important role in the concept of religion and belief systems. It affects how people come to understand and practice their religion. By looking at the geographical landscape and physical features such as mountains rivers and coastlines we can see how these have helped shape the ways in which people have connected to their faith. For example many religions recognize certain areas as being sacred and consider them to be places of pilgrimage which can be accessed through geographical means. People also shape the geography of religion through their practices such as building places of worship religious monuments and monasteries. This demonstrates how geography has allowed people to come together and share religious experiences..

[Audio] Al-Muqaddasi was a renowned geographer and traveler of the 10th century C E He made detailed observations of the physical locations he visited providing vivid description of the land – everything from the types of soil to the shape of the landscape. He noted the structural makeup of cities and towns the types of trade and commerce they had and the routes they used to get to them. His observations offered a unique insight into the region’s topography and culture..

[Audio] Spiritual geography is the exploration of the connections between the physical and spiritual worlds. It seeks to use the physical world to help explain the spiritual realm examining the significance of places what they mean and how they relate to religious texts. It looks into how the physical geography of an area can influence our understanding of spiritual ideas..

[Audio] Religion is a powerful force that can shape culture and geography. It can spread through human interaction such as conversion or sharing beliefs or through literature travel or colonization. The dissemination of religion throughout the world has resulted in different cultures interacting and influencing each other. Buddhism for example has been spread from its origins in India to many countries through trade and migration changing the way people practice religion in those countries. Likewise Islam and Christianity have been dispersed throughout the world leading to different cultures developing in various regions. Ultimately the diffusion and dispersion of religion has created a diverse set of cultural practices..

[Audio] Religion has a profound and inseparable connection to the physical environment. It informs the beliefs imagery and even the architecture of any religion and these aspects vary based on the physical geography. Buddhism for example has a strong link to the mountains of East Asia while Islam is closely connected to the deserts of the Middle East. All religions have been shaped by their physical environment ranging from Christianity to Animism..

[Audio] Religion has always been a key element of human culture. Its influence dates back to ancient times when the origin of certain religions had a deep impact on the formation of diverse cultures around the world. Taking India as an example the Indus-Ganges basin is the birthplace of Hinduism Buddhism and Jainism whereas the Semitic cradle is home to the three main western faiths: Judaism Christianity and Islam. Examining this case it is possible to realise how the region's geography may contribute to the evolution of certain religious beliefs and in turn affect the culture of the people living there..

[Audio] Religion and beliefs played an important role in the major ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia Egypt India and China. Archaeological evidence indicates the existence of places of worship and religious hearths which served as social centers for these civilizations. Through these religious hearths these civilizations were able to exchange and discuss religious texts and beliefs consequently resulting in the development of unique cultures and customs that still exist today..

[Audio] Universal religions like Islam and Christianity have an advantage over indigenous religions such as Hinduism. This is because they attempt to incorporate local cultures into their religious systems. As a result these religions are referred to as missional religions as they have spread their beliefs in different areas of the world. Furthermore due to the absorption of local traditions they have been able to strengthen their power in new locations..

[Audio] Difficulty in understanding the spread of religious beliefs can be comprehended through the concept of diffusion. Spatial diffusion is the main principle involved in noting the speed process and dynamics of religious movements. This principle notices the dual effect that the transmission of religious messages may have which is either to promote and exhibit their faith by appealing to prospective adherents or maintain their doctrines and reject the alteration of their customs by fortifying boundaries..

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[Audio] Religions have been propagated across the globe in multiple ways for centuries. Expansion diffusion is where a religion sends designated members to convert people to their faith in different places. Additionally Relocation diffusion involves movement of individuals to various places bringing along their religious beliefs and identity. By settling in unfamiliar lands these people have had a scope to draw in followers in their beliefs. This process of diffusion has pushed these religions to become accepted and popular throughout the globe..

[Audio] The rate of diffusion of a religion can be significantly affected by how its presence is seen by the people in its new area. If the new religion is met with acceptance or even enthusiasm it could propagate at a more rapid pace. Conversely if it is considered an unwelcome intrusion it may not spread as quickly. Perceptions of the new religion's message and reactions to its teachings can have an immense influence on how it diffuses..

EFFECTS OF RELIGION.

[Audio] We are going to explore how religion affects an individual's moral character. We will examine how it creates a set of moral standards and how its ultimate aim is to enable people to lead a moral life. We will look into how religious teachings support us in becoming moral and virtuous people. Let us uncover how religion shapes the moral fibre of individuals assisting them to become their best selves..

[Audio] It is essential to be aware of the power of religion as this quote demonstrates how a lack of understanding of a religion's moral teachings can lead to division enemies and hatred. To explore this further let us consider the impacts of religion on culture..

[Audio] Religion plays an important role in how we view right and wrong. It can be a powerful influencer of our moral values and when it is heavily relied upon to define what is right and wrong it can lead to a lack of understanding of others and their beliefs. Understanding the connection between religion culture and geography and how they each affect each other is complex. This presentation has hopefully shed some light on this intricate relationship. Thank you for your attention..