More Cultural Characteristics Notes

Today in class we talked about spatial divisions, religion, and we also listened to Mr. Schicks rap song.

Examples:
Political Alliances
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Commonwealth of nations
Organization ofAmerican States (OAS)


Five Major Religions 
Christianity
-# of adherents: around 2.2 billion (largest in the world)
-called Christians
-geographic location: Europe, the America, southern Africa
-denominations: Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Protestants (Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, anglicans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians,etc)
-founder: Jesus Christ
-holy book: The Bible, especially the New Testament
-beliefs: Jesus is both human and divine
-clergy:  the Pope is head of the church, priests are local authorities.

Islam
-member of adherents: 1.5 billion (second largest)
-called: Muslims
-geographic location: Indonesia, Middle East, north Africa
-denominations: Sunnis 975-90%), Shiites (10-20%)
-founder: Muhammad (570-632)
-holy book: Qur'an
-beliefs:monotheistic, Abrahamic, Five Pillars (testimony, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, pilgrimage)
Muslims see their purpose in life as serving and submitting to Allah (God), and observing Islamic Law.

Hinduism
number of adherents: 1.1 billion (third largest)
called: Hindus
geographic location: India, Nepal
holy book: the Vedas- eternal truths revealed to ancient sages; written in verse form (meant to be sung and easily memorized)
founder: no distinct founder- series of intellectual philosophical points of view. Probably the oldest religion, although Hinduism is less a religion than a way of life. Believe in reincarnation.

Buddhism 
number of adherents: 500 million- 1.5 billion
called: Buddhists
geographic location: southeast Asia, China, Nepal, Japan, there are over 1.2 million in the US
founder: Siddhartha Gautama
denominations: Tibetan, Zen, Theravada, Amidist