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

Origin & Diffusion of Religions

Ch. 6.2 (pp. 178-191)

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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 (19th Cent. AD)

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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.• 1st 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

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Diffusion of Universalizing Religions

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II. Diffusion of Religions

A. Universalizing religions1. 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

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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

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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

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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

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III. Holy PlacesA. 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

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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