Different Cultures through Religions

Culture

• Refers to a person’s total way of life.

• Including– Language– Religion– Beliefs– Customs – Institutions– Technology

Cultural Perceptions • It makes each person who and what they are in the world. • When it comes to different cultures they may have customs that shock, intrigue us as humans. We may disagree with these customs.

• The perceptions of Cultures have created many misunderstandings and conflicts in the world.

Religion

• One of the key aspects to understanding cultures is religion.

• Different religions can control what people eat, wear, or how they act in their daily lives.

Animism • Followers: Indigenous peoples

including Shinto, and some forms of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

• Central Beliefs: refers to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life- principle.

• Different spirits include:• Animals • Plants• Places

• Ex: Inuit Tribe in Canada, Pocahontas

Hinduism• Followers: Hindu• Gods: There are 1,000’s of Gods and

Goddesses. (Polytheism) Brahma is the chief god.

• Central Figure: No central figure, but the Brahmins are the religious leaders.

• Karma: Persons behavior in life on earth will determine that persons form in the next life.

Sacred Objects: Ganges River in India and the Cow is a sacred animal.Texts: Vedas

Caste System: Strict separation of classes; no marriage or association with other “castes”. This is now banned in India, but still occurs. Areas of Concentration: India and Nepal

Judaism

• Followers: Jews• Believe: One God

(Monotheism)• Central/ Sacred Figures:

Abraham and Moses Sacred Site: Jerusalem and the Wailing wall.

Text: Torah and Talmud Areas of Concentration: widely scattered, however, an overwhelming majority are located in the United States and Israel

Buddhism•Philosophy: referred to as this and most don’t believe in a “God”

• Basic philosophy: Based on self-denial and mediation. •Sacred Figure:• Indian prince named Siddhartha

Guatama also known as Buddha which means “The Enlightened One”

•Sacred Text: Pali Canon

• Buddhism: Concentrated in China, Tibet, Japan, Australia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka

• The Dalai Lama- Buddhist monk, leader of the Tibetans (more about his struggles in Tibet soon)

Buddhist Temple and Stupa

Confucianism • Confucius = Politician, advisor to the king. • Way of life taught by Confucius. • Was so successful that the king gave him his

own province. • Others were jealous and convinced the king

to throw Confucius out. • Once Confucius dies, people began to write

down many of his thoughts. • Philosophy goes well with communism

because a major premise is “obey your government” & “humans are teachable”

Shintoism • Followers: Shinto• Polytheistic• More of a way of life than a religion• Native Religion in Japan (not an “official” religion of Japan)• Creation story: Spirits created & then lived on the Japanese islands• Kami = supernatural force inclusive of gods, spirit figures, & human

ancestors.• Followers go to shrines to worship kami

Taoism (Daoism) • Emphasis on living in

harmony with Tao• Prefers little (govt

involvement) anarchism & laissez-faire government.

• Emphasize: compassion, moderation & humility

• Text: Tao Te Ching• Official Deity: Jade Emperor• Largely influences Chinese

culture.• Not truly a religion, has

some religious aspects.

Map of Christianity

Christianity • Followers are Christians• Believe in one God• Central/Sacred Figures:

Jesus, Peter, Paul• Text: Bible (New Testament)

• Sacred Site: – Jerusalem and Bethlehem

• Areas of Concentration:• North and South America• Europe• Russia• Australia• New Zealand• The Philippines• Sub-Saharan Africa

Map of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism

Islam• Followers: Muslims• Believe in one God• Sacred/ Central Figures:

– Allah (God) and the Prophet Muhammad.

• Sacred Site: Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem

• Sacred Text: Qu’ran (Koran)• Areas of Concentration:

– The Middle East– Africa– Europe– United States– Central and South Asia– China

Sikhism• Followers: Sikh• Believe: In one God• Mix of Hinduism and Islam• Sacred/ Central Figures:

– God and the founder Guru Nanak• Sacred Places: The Golden

Temple in Pubjab, India

• Areas of Concentration: India, SE Asia, Pakistan, UK, Europe