Unit 3: Chapter 7 Vocab Flashcards
religion
Defined by geographers Robet Stoddard and Carolyn Prorak in the book Geography in America as “a system of beliefs and practices that attempts to order life in terms of culturally perceived ulitamate priorities
secularism
The idea that ethical and moral standards should be formulated and adhered to for life on earth, not to accommodate the prescriptions of a deity and promises of a comfortable afterlife. A secular state is the opposite of a theocracy
monotheistic religion
Belief system in which one supreme being is revered as creator and arbiter of all that exists in the universe
polytheistic religion
Belief system in which multiple are revered as creatosr and arbiters of all that exists in the universe
animistic religion
The belief that inanimate objects, such as hills, trees, rocks, rivers, and other elements of the natural landscape, possess souls and can help or hinder human efforts on Earth
universalizing religion
A belief system that espouses the idea that there is one true religion that is universal in scope. Adherents of unviversalizing religious systems often believe that their religion represents universal truths, and in some cases great effort is undertaken in evangelism and missionary work
ethnic religion
A religion that is particular to one, culturally distinct, group of people. Unlike universalizing religions, adherents of ethnic religions do not actively seek converts through evangelism or missionary work
Hinduism
One of the oldest religions in the modern world, dating back over 4000 years, and originating in the Indus River Valley of what is today part of Pakistan. Hinduism is unique among the world’s religions inn that it does not have a single founder, a single theology, or agreement on its origins
caste system
The strict social segregation of people-specifically in India’s Hindu society-on the basis of ancesry and occupation
Buddhism
Religion founded in the 6th century BCE and characterized by the belief that enlightenment would come through knowledge, especially selfknowledge; elimination of greed, craving, and desire; complete honesty; and never hurting another person or animal. Buddhism splintered from Hinduism and a reaction to the strict social hierarchy maintained by Hinduism
Shintoism
Religion located in Japan and related to Buddhism. Shintoism focuses particularly on nature and acestor worship
Taoism
Religion believed to have been founded by LaoTsu and based upon his book entitled TaoTeaching or Book of the Way Laotsu focused on the proper form of poilitcal rule and on the oneness of humaity and nature
Zionism
The movement to unite the Jewish people of the diaspora and to establish a national homeland for them in the promised land
Sunni
Adherents to the largest branch of Islam, called the orthodox or traditionalist. They believe in the effectiveness of family and community in the solution of life’s problems, and they differ from the Shi’ites in accepting the traditions (Sunna) of Muhammad and authoritative
Shi’ite
Adherents of one of the two main divisions of Islam. also known as Shiahs, the Shi’ites represent the Persian (Iranian) variation of Islam and believe in the infallibility and divine right to authority of the Imams, descendants of Ali.
religious fundamentalism
Religious movements whose objectives are to returm to the foundations of the faith and to influence state policy
religious extremism
Religious fundamentalism carried to the point of violence
jihad
A doctrine within Islam. Commonly translated as “Holy War”, Jihad represents either a personal or collective struggle on the part of Muslims to live up to the religious standards set by the Qu’ran
Islam
The youngest of the major world religions, Islam is based on the teachings of Muhammad, born in Mecca in 571 CE. according to Islamic teaching, Muhammad received the truth directly from Allah in a series of revelations during which Muhammad spoke the verses of the Qu’ran, the Islamic holy book
Indigenous religions
Belief systems and philosophies practiced and traditionally passed from generation to generation among people within an indigenous tribe or group
Shamanism
Community faith in traditional societies in which people follow their shaman-a religious leader, teacher, healer, and visionary. at times, an especially strong shaman might attract a regional following. however, most shamans remain local figures
pilgrimage
Voluntary travel by an adherent to a scared site to pay respects or partiipate in a ritual at the site
scared sites
Place or space people infuse with religious meaning
Confucianism
A philosophy of ethics, education, and public service based on the writings of Confucius and traditionally though of as one of the core elements of Chinese culture
Interfaith boundaries
boundaries between the world’s major faiths
Intrafaith boundaries
boundaries within a single major faith
ethnic cleansing
The systematic killing or extermination of an entire people or nation
activity space
The space within which daily activity occurs
Eastern Orthodox Church
One of three major branches of Christianity, the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with the Roman Catholic Church, a second of the three major brances of Christianity, arose bu tof the division of the Roman Empire by Emperor Diocletian into four governmetnal regions: two western regions centered in Rome, and two eastern regions centered in Constantinople (now Istanbul, turkey). in 1054 CE, Christianity was divided along that same line when the Eastern Orthodox Church, centered in Constantinople; and the Roman Catholic Church, centered in Rome, split.
Christianity
Religion based on the teachings of Jesus. According to Christian teaching, Jesus is the son of God, placed on Earth to teach people how to live according to God’s plan
Diaspora
from the Greek “to disperse,” a term describing forceful or voluntary dispersal of a people from their homeland to a new place. Originally denoting the dispersal of Jews, it is increasingly applied to other population dispersals, such as the involuntary relocation of Black peoples during the slave trade or Chinese peoples of Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong
Feng Shui
Literally “windwater.” The Chinese art and science of placement and orientation of tombs, dwellings, buildings, and cities. Structures and objects are positioned in an effort to channel flows of shengchi (“lifebreath”) in favorable ways
Hajj
The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad
Minarets
Tower attached to a Muslim mosque, having one or more projecting balconies from which a crier calls Muslims to prayer
Protestant
One of the three major branches of Christianity (together with the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic). Following the widespread societal changes in Europe starting in the 13oos ce. many adherents to the Roman Catholic Church began to question the role of religion in their lives and opened the door to the Protestant Reformation wherein John Huss, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others challenged many of the fundamental teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
One of the three major branches of Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church together with the Eastern Orthodox Church, a second of the three major branches of Christianity, arose out of the division of the Roman Empire by Emperor Diocletian into four governmental regions: two western regions centered in Rome, and two eastern regions centered in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). In 1054 CE, Christianity was divided along that same line when the Eastern Orthodox Church centered in Constantinople; and the Roman Catholic Church, centered in Rome, split.
Sacred Sites
Place or space people infuse with religious meaning
