2. The major religions arose and diffused much later than the great language families.
Hinduism, the oldest religion, emerged long after the First Agricultural Revolution.
Christianity appeared during the Roman Empire and Islam was founded several centuries
later.
3. HINDUISM
Hinduism emerged without a prophet or a book of scriptures, and without evolving a
bureaucratic structure. Hinduism appears to have originated in the region of the Indus
Valley more than 3,000 years ago.
4. Hinduism’s fundamental doctrine is karma,
which has to do with the transferability
of souls and arranged in a hierarchy. A
soul moves upward or downward according
to the individual’s behavior in the present
life. All souls, animal and human alike,
participate in this process.
Reincarnation is the cornerstone of
Hinduism. How does this relate to the
treatment of animals?
5. India’s Ganges River is considered holy water by Hindu pilgrims – they believe
that the Ganges springs from the hair of Shiva, one of the main deities.
6. Considered holy water, many Indians cremate their loved ones on the banks of the Ganges
River.
7. Because the Ganges River is so heavily used for religious purposes and everyday purposes,
it has become dangerously polluted, especially as India’s population continues to increase.
8. Hinduism’s doctrines are closely bound to India’s caste system, for castes themselves
are steps on the universal ladder. Characteristics of the caste system include:
1. A very rigid social system
2. People are born into a caste for life
3. Each caste has special rules about
work, diet, marriage, and social
behavior
4. The caste system has been a
hinderance on India’s development
5. Despite being officially outlawed by
the Indian constitution, the caste
system endures, especially in rural
areas. Hinduism would have to change
before the caste system would change
9. Even the great prestige of national hero, Gandhi, could not
completely eliminate the religious-based tradition of the
Hindu caste system.
10. Arranged marriages are an integral part of Indian culture, and social caste is the key
component considered.
11. Who are the “untouchables?” In what parts of India are they most discriminated
against?
12. Explain the evolution of Sikhism. How is
it different and/or the same from/as
Hinduism?
“Hinduism is more than a faith; it is a way
of life” Explain.
13. The primary religious conflict in
India involves Muslim separatists
in the northern Indian region of
Kashmir fighting against the
Indian govt.
This conflict dates back to Indian
and Pakistani independence in
1947.
Periodically, this violence brings
India & Pakistan to the brink of
war (both possess nuclear
weapons).
15. The history for Jews is filled with upheavals. Jews ultimately established their
headquarters in Jerusalem, but then fell victim to a series of foreign powers.
The Romans destroyed their holy city in 70 A.D., at which time the Jews were
driven away and scattered (diaspora).
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, persecuted Jews from Europe began
returning to their ancestral land in large numbers. WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO
PALESTINE?
Two world wars would push this dilemma to the background, but it would return as
an international crisis following WWII.
16. Zionism, a belief that Jews should not be absorbed
into other societies, becomes a driving force
following the atrocities of the holocaust. After
WWII, Jews flood into Palestine and world sympathy
supports them.
This ideology of zionism will culminate with the
creation of Israel, a Jewish state, in 1948, which
remains a flashpoint of Arab/Israeli violence to the
present.
17. Explain the internal divisions of
Judaism. Approx. how many Jewish
adherents are there?
With such small numbers, comparatively
speaking, why is Judaism considered a
world religion?
18. CHRISTIANITY
Christianity shares some common roots with Judaism. A crucial event for Christianity
came in the year 312, when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made
Christianity the Roman state religion. Identify the three major branches.
19. The dissemination of Christianity occurred as a result of contagious diffusion and
relocation diffusion. What phenomenon accounted for the relocation diffusion?
20. ISLAM
Islam is an important unifying element that defines a culture region.
21.
22. As was noted in chapter 11, Islam is deeply split between two primary factions (groups):
the majority sunnis and the minority shia (shiites). It is a rivalry that often leads to
violence, as the war in Iraq demonstrates.
23. Although sunnis and shiites share more in common than not, there are six ways to tell
members of the two groups apart. To non-Muslims, the differences appear insignificant,
but these differences can lead to violence.
24. One of the significant “five pillars” is the annual hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca.
Can you name the other pillars?
25. Muslims from around the world converge on Mecca, providing a significant economic
boost, but creating a host of challenges for the Saudi govt., the guardian of Islam’s
holiest city.
26. The hajj is an intense five day experience which features a 12 mile journey to Mt Arafat,
where pilgrims spend a day of religious reflection.
27. The Saudi govt. tightly controls access to Mecca for non-Muslims.
28. Are outsiders allowed into Mecca? Are the majority of Muslims found in the Middle
East? How does everyone begin their pilgrimage? What promises do they make?
30. Islamic law is the foundation of Arab nations’ legal codes and cultural taboos. It is
very traditional and rigid, especially for women..
31. These Islamic laws are preserved by
requiring strict adherence, especially
amongst the young.
In today’s increasingly interdependent
world, do you think that many young
Muslims might resist these laws?
Islamic laws can be a source of friction
between some Middle Eastern countries
and western governments.
32. Muslims are divided over interpretations of Islamic law and relations with
the West. Many Muslims dislike/fear social components of western culture,
while at the same time coveting western technology.
33. With greater western contact, comes greater exposure to western technology and
political/social practices. In most Muslim countries in the Middle East, there is a growing
tug-of-war between these outside forces and the forces of traditional Islam.
