Chapter 6

Religion

Key Issue #3: Organization of Space

Overview:Geographers study the major impact on the landscape made by

all religions. (e.g. often the tallest most elaborate buildings are religious). Distribution of religious elements on the landscape reflects

the importance of religion in people’s values.

• Places of worship– Christian Churches– Places of worship in other religions

• Sacred space– Disposing of the dead– Religious settlements– Religious place names

• Administration of space– Hierarchical religions– Locally autonomous religions

Organization of Spacesacred structures act as physical “anchors” of religion. ALL major religions have them, however, the functions of the buildings influence the arrangement of the

structures across landscapes.

Places of worship– Christian worship- dominated by a high density of churches

Christian Church: Critical role as (structure) an expression of religious principles (environment IN the image of God), also, a gathering place (attendance is considered extremely important)Large number & size & expensive. Architecture often compatible with the doctrine & rituals & symbolism.

No single style dominatesReflective of cultural values. (Orthodox=ornate, protestant=simplicity)

Most major religions do not consider their important buildings a sanctified place of worship

– Places of worship in other religionsMuslim Mosques:

place of community assemblynot viewed as a sanctified place place for community to gather together for worshipprimarily in large citiesfunctional purposepulpit at end of courtyard facing Meccasurrounded by a cloister used for schools & non religious activitiesminarets are a distinctive feature of mosques

Hindu Temples:important religious functions are more likely to take place at home within the family. TEMPLES are built to house shrines for particular gods NOT for congregational worship. Maintained by the wealthy. Contains a symbolic artifact/image of God. Space for ritual processions.

Sacred Spaces

• Arrangement of human activities on the landscape at several SCALES; – from relative small parcels to entire communities.

• HOW each is distributed on the landscape depends on beliefs.

Disposing of the Dead burial/religious settlements=most significant land uses

Burial practices: Sheltering the dead is impacted by climate, topography & doctrine

Cemetery: specially designated area used by Christians, Muslims, Jews

Historical connections: Christianity was illegal burial served as protectionAlignment of the body is sometimes traditional: body aligned with feet toward

Jerusalem.

Cemeteries may consume significant space in a community thereby increasing the competitions for scarce space. Open space is a premium & are often used as public open space. (picnics, assembly, etc.)

OTHER METHODS: not all bury

– Cremation: act of purification (strains the scarce supply of wood), strips away unclean portions of the body, nothing left behind (nomad), principly used in Europe before Christianity

– Exposure: to scavengers. (Zoroastrians, Buddhists)– Disposal of bodies at Sea: (micronesia) raft, boat, flinging

Cremation near Taj Mahal

Religious Settlementlarger scale manifestations of religion on the landscape

• Human settlements serve an economic purpose but some are established primarily for religious reasons.

– Some buildings are used for economic activities organized to integrate religious principles into all aspects of daily life.

Utopia Movements (1820s)- Mormons = the best example, others:

mennonites, oneidans, shakers, etc.

religious principles effected many of the designs.

Spatial relationship = significance

Place Names

in Québec

Place names in Québec show the impact of religion on the landscape. Many cities and towns are named after saints. Catholics use religiously sign. Names very often. Conversely, Protestants rarely use them.

Administration of Space

• Followers of a universalizing religion must be connected so as to ensure communication & consistency of doctrine.

• Ethnic Religions tend NOT to have organized central authority.

Hierarchical Religions

• Area & population of parishes & diocese vary according to historical factors & the distribution of Roman Catholics across Earth’s surface.

As the distribution shift, the organization of the space is complicated

Roman Catholic Hierarchy in U.S.

The Catholic church divides the U.S. into provinces headed by archbishops. Provinces are divided into dioceses, headed by bishops. Notice the baseline!

Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)Use strong organization of the landscape.

•Wards, Stakes

Similar to Roman Catholic, however, more flexible in adjusting to population distribution changes.

Autonomous (self-sufficient) ReligionsCan be ethnic or universal

– Islam = • local autonomy • no hierarchy & • no territorial organization

– Unity is established via high degrees of communication & migration (pilgrimage)

Protestant Demominations

Varied continuum:

from autonomous to somewhat hierarchical

Ethnic Religions

• No centralized structure of religious control

• Share/exchange ideas primarily through pilgrimage and traditional writings

On a lighter note…

Key Issue #4 : Religious Conflicts

• Religion vs. government policies– Religion vs. social change– Religion vs. Communism

• Religion vs. religion– Religious wars in Ireland– Religious wars in the Middle East