Culture Unit (Religion) Flashcards
Cultural hearth of Islam. Many Muslims participate each year in the “hajj” - a pilgrimage to Mecca where Muhammad was born.
Saudi Arabia
Southwest Asia
There is a mix of Shiite and Sunni Muslims in this country. Sassan Hussein, the former leader, was a Sunni who tortured and killed many Shiites. The country now has a Shiite led government.
Iraq
Southwest Asia
This microstate is home to the Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Vatican City
Western Europe
The government if this country is a theocracy, with many religious clerics in positions of power within the government. Shiism is the predominant religion here. It is also the cultural hearth of Baha’i.
Iran
Southwest Asia
This county is the cultural heart of Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Even though it has been illegal for many years, the social caste system is still practiced in some areas of the country.
India
South Asia
There has been an ongoing conflict between Catholic and Protestants in this nation which is a part of the United Kingdom.
Northern Ireland
Western Europe
The Protestant Reformation began in this country when Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church. If it had not been for the invention of the printing press, his protests may not has become so famous.
Germany
Western Europe
Shintoism is the native religion of this country. Buddhism is also practiced here. Some people practice a syncretic mix of both Buddhism and Shintoism.
Japan
East Asia
The written form of this country’s language used symbols called ideograms (logograms). Although the government is officially atheist there are Buddhists, Taoists, Christians and an ethnic minority called the Uighers who Muslim.
China
Eat Asia
The capital city if this country serves as a sacred space for Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The country was established after WWII as a homeland for the Jewish people.
Israel
Southwest Asia
In the past few years a Muslim terrorist group known as Boko Haram (which means western education is bad) has been bombing Christian churches, schools ad mosques. Their goal is to impose Sharia law throughout this country.
Nigeria
Sub-Saharan Africa
This predominantly Muslim country has a secular government and everyone is free to choose their own religious beliefs. It has been seeking membership in the European Union since 1987, but has met with many roadblocks.
Turkey
Southwest Asia
Leading Muslims have been very critical of the Taliban’s fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law known as Sharia. The Taliban’s protection of Osama bin Laden in this country led to the U.S. invading it after the events of 9/11.
Afghanistan
Central Asia
In 2010 when a street vendor self-immolated in this country, it sparked revolutions in many Middle Eastern countries. An ultraconservative Muslim group known as the Salafis opposes the transition to democracy in this country (as well as in others in the region). This group claims to be the purest form of Islam, but it’s critics claim it wants to take Islam back to the 7th century.
Tunisia
North Africa
The Rohingya Muslim minority of this country are viewed as illegal immigrants and have been denied citizenship. The Buddhists in this country have incited violence against the Muslims after an alleged rape two years ago set off decades of animosity between the two groups.
Myanmar
Southeast Asia
