Human Geo 6.2. Questions Flashcards
What is the origin of Christianity?
Founded on the teachings of Jesus (born in Bethlehem between 8-4 BCE, died in Jerusalem 30 CE). He was raised as a Jew and gathered disciples/followers, preaching the coming of the Kingdom of God. He was referred to as Christ (Messiah, anointed). After he was betrayed and shared the Last Supper (Possibly the Jewish Passover Seder) with his disciples, he was arrested.
What is the Roman Catholic Branch of Christianity?
They accept the Bible’s teachings as well as their interpretation by the Church hierarchy (headed by the pope, who has universal primacy/authority, and is infallible in resolving theological disputes). They believe that God conveys His grace to humans through 7 sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Penance, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing the Sick).
What is the Orthodox Branch of Christianity?
The faith/practices of some churches that arose in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. The split between Roman and Eastern churches (5th century) was a result of rivalry between Pope of Rome and Patriarchy of Constantinople (intense after the collapse of western Roman Empire). The split was final in 1054, when Pope Leo IX condemned the Patriarch. They accept the 7 sacraments but reject doctrines that RCs added since the 8th.
What is the Protestant Branch of Christianity?
Originated with the principles of Reformation (16th). It began when Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the door of the church at Wittenberg. He said that individuals have primary responsibility for achieving salvation through direct communication with God. Grace is achieved through faith, not sacraments.
What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?
- Shahadah: Belief that there is no deity worthy of worship except God, the Creator, and belief that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
- Salat: Praying 5 times daily, facing the city of Mecca, which is a direct link to God.
- Zakat: Giving generously to charity as an act of purification and growth.
- Sawm of Ramadan: Fasting during the month of Ramadan (as an act of self-purification).
- Hajj: If physically & financially able, making a pilgrimage to Makkah.
How does Islam compare to Judaism and Christianity?
Islam, Judaism, & Christianity all consider Adam to be the first man, and Abraham one of his descendants and married Sarah (Hagar, Ishmael, etc.). Jews/Christians trace their story through Sarah and Isaac. Muslims trace their story through Hagar and Ishmael. They say she brought him to Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia, and 1 of his descendants, Muhammad, became the Prophet.
Who is Muhammad, the prophet of Islam?
Born in Makkah in 570. At age 40, in a meditative retreat, the angel Gabriel gave him his first revelation from God. The Quran (written in Arabic) is a record of what God revealed to Muhammad. As he preached this, he and his followers suffered persecution, and was commanded by God to emigrate to Yathrib. This event marks the beginning of the Islamic Calendar. After a few years, Muhammad/his followers returned to Makkah and make Islam the city’s religion. By his death in 632, Islam had spread through most of Saudi Arabia.
What are the fundamental differences between the Shiite and Sunni branches?
Differences reflect disagreement over the line of succession in Islamic leadership: Muhammad’s father-in-law succeeded him, known as caliph. The next two caliphs (Uthman & Umar) expanded Islamic territory to Egypt and Persia. Uthman was a member of a powerful Makkah clan that had originally opposed Muhammad. Critics say he sought compromises with other formerly pagan families, and his opponent’s leader, Ali (cousin & son-in-law of Muhammad), was caliph after. Ali’s descendants claim leadership of Islam; supported by Shiites.
What is the origin of Buddhism?
Gautama, born in 563 BCE in present-day Nepal, was rich & priveledged. His life changed after a series of 4 trips, where he met an old man, a diseased man, and a corpse. He felt he could no longer enjoy his life of comfort with this pain/suffering, and on a 4th trip, he saw a monk, who taught him about withdrawing from the world. At 29, Gautama left and lived in a forest for the next 6 years, meditating, and he emerged as the Buddha (enlightened one), and spent 45 years preaching across India.
What are the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism?
- All living beings must endure suffering.
- Suffering is caused by a desire to live, and leads to reincarnation (repeated rebirth in new bodies).
- The goal of existence is to escape suffering/reincarnation into Nirvana (a state of redemption), achieved thru mental & moral self-purification.
- Nirvana is attained through an Eightfold Path: righteousness of belief, resolve, speech, action, livelihood, effort, thought, and mediation.
Explain the 3 Branches of Buddhism:
- Theravada: Oldest, approach is closer to Buddha’s original approach (widsom). Buddhism is a full-time occupation, so to become a good one, you must renounce worldly goods & become a monk.
-Mahayana: Split from Theravada 2,000 years ago. “The great vehicle.” They can help more people because their approach is less demanding and all-encompassing. They emphasize Buddha’s life of self-help & solitary introspection, and later years of teaching/helping others. Compassion. - Vajrayana: Emphasize the practice of rituals, or Tantras, recorded in texts. They believe that Buddha began to practice them during his lifetime.
What is the origin of Hindusim?
The word originated in the 6th century BCE (referring to people living in present-day India), but religious practices existed before recorded history. Elements of it may have originated in the Indus Valley Civilization (2500-1500 BCE in present-day Pakistan). Evidence: bathing rituals, animal sacrifices, and sculptures that may depict Hindu gods. Vedas, the earliest surviving Hindu texts, were written at 1100 BCE, and some rituals survive (worship of gods representing Earth, sky, and atmosphere). The earliest surviving Hindu temples were built 1,500-2000 yrs ago.
What is the diffusion of Buddhism?
Ashoka, Emperor of Magadhan from 268-232 BCE, is most responsible for the spread of Buddhism. In the 1st century, merchants along trading routes from northeastern India introduced it to China, whose people were receptive to the ideas and many became Buddhist monks in the 4th century. It further diffused to Korea in the 4th century and then to Japan, while it lost support in its base of India (though Sri Lanka remains partially Buddhist).
What is the diffusion of Islam?
Muhammad’s successors organized followers who spread Islam over a lot of Africa, Asia, & Europe thru military conquest. 100 years after his death, Palestine, Persia, & much of India was controlled by Muslims, and intermarriage resulted in much conversion to Islam. They diffused across North Africa & retained much of Spain, until 1492. As Christians regained all of Western Europe, Muslims took control of Turkey & SE Europe.
How did Christianity spread through expansion diffusion?
It’s dominance in Rome was assured during 4th:
1. Hierarchical diffusion: Emperor Constantine (key elite figure) embraced the religion in 313, and Theodosius made it the official religion in 380. It further diffused through conversion of kings or other elite figures.
2. Contagious diffusion: Migration, missionaries, and conquest by Europeans made it dominant in North/South America, Australia, New Zealand AND through conquest of the indigenous and inter-marriage.
