GR - Geography of Religions

Question 1

Define:

Hearth?

Answer 1

A place from which an innovation originates

Question 2

Define:

Relocation Diffusion?

Answer 2

The spread of an idea through physical movement of people form one place to another (NOT ADDING MORE PEOPLE TO RELIGIOUS GROUP JUST MOVING THE PRACTICE OUTSIDE OF WHERE IT COMES FROM)

Non-Additive

Question 3

Define:

Contagious Diffusion?

Example?

Type of Expansion Diffusion

Answer 3

The rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic throughout the population (Person-to-person contact)

A meme is a type of contagious diffusion

Question 4

Define:

Hierarchical diffusion?

Type of Expansion Diffusion

Answer 4

The spread of an idea from person or nodes of authority or power to other persons or places
Through a hierarchy of power
Through a hierarchy of places

Question 5

Define:

Stimulus Diffusion?

Type of Expansion Diffusion

Answer 5

The spread of an underlying principle** even though** a characteristic itself apparently fails to diffuse
Example: India may have McDonalds but since a majority of the culture is vegetarian the Big Mac might be vegetarian but the underlying principle of a Big Mac is the same

Question 6

Explain:

Diffusion?

Answer 6

The process by which a feature spreads across space from one place to another over time

Question 7

Explain:

Expansion Diffusion?

Answer 7

Spread of a feature from one place to another in an additive process

Question 8

Explain:

4 Largest Religions in order of size?

Answer 8

1. Christianity
2. Islam
3. Hinduism
4. Buddhism

Question 9

Define:

Fundamentalism?

Answer 9

A literal interpretation and a strict and intense adherence to the basic principles of a religion

Question 10

Explain:

Global Distributions?

Universalizing or Ethnic?

Answer 10

Christianity:
Universalizing
Dominates EU, NA, and Latin America
Islam:
Universalizing
Dominates SE Asia, Central Asia (Middle East), SW Asia & North Africa
Hinduism:
Ethnic
Dominates South Asia (Mainly India)
Buddhism:
Universalizing
Dominates East Asia (China and a small part of India)

Question 11

Explain:

Universalizing vs. Ethnic?

Answer 11

Universalizing:
- Try to be global
- Actively seek new converts and is usually larger

Ethnic:
- A religion that appeals primarily to people in one particular place & culture
- Generally focused in one area

Question 12

Explain:

Why do territorial conflicts arise among religious groups?

Answer 12

1. Religious groups have opposed government policies especially those of communist governments
2. Religious principles seen as representing Western social values have been opposed by groups in Asia
3. A long-standing conflict among religious groups has been centered in Israel and Palestine

Question 13

Explain:

‘The Man Behind the Mosque?’

What are some interepretations people had of it?

How does this relates to Cresswell’s definition of place (Location, locale, sense of place)? How is this similar to the Teddy Roosevelt statue?

Answer 13

Summary: Sharif El Gamal, a real-estate developer, whose goal was to create a mosque for Muslims at “Ground Zero” not too long after 9/11
Wanted to replace the Burlington Coat Factory with a mosque

Issue:
1. Ground Zero was a Sacred Place to families of 9/11 victims so they did not want their place of memorandum to be a mosque, a direct reminder of the religion of the people they lost their loved ones too

Interpretations:
9/11 Victims: viewed the mosque as a way of marking an ‘Islamic victory or triumph’, a celebration or endorsement of the terrorist attacks

Muslims (Anti-Extremist): Viewed the mosque as a step towards religious toleration and acceptance following 9/11, since xenophobia and hatred towards muslims rose as a result of the attacks

**How is the situation related to Cresswell’s definition of place? **
According to Cresswell, places are locations with meaning defined by: location, locale, and sense of place.

For the 9/11 vicitim families, Ground Zero, the location, had attached to to it their sense of place to as it was a place of remembrance for them.

For muslims in this small community, Ground Zero, the location, and the mosque being built had a sense of place of hope for religious toleration and acceptance.

How is this similar to Teddy Roosevelt?
- With the Teddy Roosevlet monument, some people did not have a problem with it as others viewed it as racial degradation and a public display of white supremacy. With the mosque, there also were various interpretations of it which sparked conflict and debate amongst people in the community

Question 14

Define:

Sacred Place?

Answer 14

A place that’s infused with deep spiritual, triumphic, or important meaning