LESSON 2: Interconnectedness of Geography, Culture, and Religion

Have you ever been to the mountains? What do you notice about the land there? Do you feel the weather
changing in different areas? How do you think the weather affects the way people speak, dress, and live?
How do people in the lowlands live, compared to those in the mountains or near rivers or the coast? Do
you think people from different places might think differently about life, nature, or a higher power?

Geography helps us understand history. History is about how people began and developed their own ways
of life. Culture is the way people live, which includes things like traditions, beliefs, and customs. This helps
explain why we might believe in something greater than the universe, and this belief shapes our religion
and who we are as individuals.

In this module, you are going to: 1. Analyze the interconnectedness of geography, culture, and religion.

EXERCISE 1: PICTURE ANALYSIS: Write a brief answer to the following questions below. You may refer to
the internet or any reference material in World History.

1. What is the link between a golden temple in India and a huge bed rock in Australia?
2. What makes the place significant?

• Does Geography influence religion? All religion and culture are based on Geography.

Examples:

1. In places where wood is easy to find, people cremate their dead. In deserts, where wood is not
easy to find, people bury the dead.

2. In hot countries, people wear light clothes or go bare-chested, but in cold countries, they wear
shoes even inside their places of worship because of the cold.

3. In India, water is important in rituals because of the many rivers, while in colder places, fire is used
in rituals.

• These examples show how geography affects religion and culture. Without geography,
religion wouldn’t exist as it does today. Geography shapes both the human environment
(where people live) and the natural environment (like land and weather). People spread
their religions to other regions, and sometimes try to convert others. People compete with
each other for various reasons, and this is influenced by geography. When people travel
to distant places, their religions can spread too.
A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• Early humans, like Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, had their own belief systems. They showed
this through practices like burying their dead, painting on cave walls, and carving images on
stones.

• As humans have existed for a long time, different religions and belief systems developed. Some
religions from the past are no longer known, while others, like Zoroastrianism, once spread widely
but are now mostly practiced in places like Iran, India, and Central Asia.

The Patriarch Abraham

• Abraham was very important in the creation of the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam, which together make up more than half of the world's population. These
religions are called the ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS.

• Abraham is important in these religions because he is seen as a key figure in the belief in one God
and as a model of strong faith and devotion.

NOTE: Abraham is not the founder of these religions, he is a foundational figure in each one.

Similarities in Abrahamic Religions

1. Belief in One God

• Ancient Hebrews: Called God Elohim, Adonai, or Yahweh

• Modern Judaism: Refers to God as "Lord" or "God"
• Islam: God is called Allah

2. Prophets and Apostles

• Judaism: 48 prophets and 7 prophetesses, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron,
and Joshua.
• Christianity: 12 apostles, some of whom wrote parts of the New Testament.
• Islam: Believes Muhammad is the final prophet, known as the "Seal of the Prophets."

3. Divine Revelation or Intervention

• In their early history, these religions share moments when God revealed His will or acted
directly:
✓ God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac at Mount Moriah.
✓ God gave Moses the 10 Commandments at Mount Sinai.
✓ God sacrificed Jesus Christ for salvation.
✓ God commanded Muhammad to start a new religion at Mount Hira.

In all three religions, followers must choose between good and evil, both then and now.

The Indian Mosaic

• India is one of the oldest civilizations, dating back to at least 6500 BCE. Over time, many invaders
joined local Indian religions.
 • Different influences like the Harappan civilization, Aryan culture, local dynasties, and Muslim
conquests created India’s diverse culture.

• Four major religions started in India: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, along with many
smaller groups.

Hinduism

• Hinduism is very varied and has many different practices, which can be confusing for outsiders.

• It has no single founder, no holy book, and worships many gods and goddesses. It’s like a collection
of different beliefs one.

• Hinduism became more organized during the Vedic Period, teaching that life and the universe have
purpose and order.

• The idea of order was tied to stable societies with governments and shared traditions.

Buddhism

• Buddhism focuses on the Buddha, a human who found a way to end suffering and escape rebirth.

• Buddhists respect Buddha like other religions respect their Gods.

• The Mahayana branch of Buddhism has many enlightened beings who help others reach salvation.

• Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, lived in the 6th century BCE. His teachings spread from India to
other parts of Asia.

• Buddhism became more popular outside India, while Hinduism stayed strong in India.

Confucianism

• In ancient China, people worked towards good governance, and Confucius’s ideas helped shape
how the government was run, with officials chosen for their wisdom.

• Confucius is seen as China’s greatest philosopher, and he lived at the same time as Siddhartha
Gautama (the Buddha).

• Confucianism aims to create harmony in human relationships and guide social behavior. The goal
is to create an ideal society.

• Confucius taught about the Dao, or the proper way to live and act in life, politics, and customs. His
Dao focuses on human affairs.

Daoism

• The life of Laozi, the founder of Daoism, is mysterious. He is believed to have written the Dao De
Jing (The Book of the Way and its Power).

• Laozi may have worked as a record keeper during the Zhou Dynasty but left because he was
frustrated with corruption.
 • Daoism became an organized religion around 142 CE with the creation of the Way of the Celestial
Masters sect.

• Daoism teaches the Dao as the right path or way of behaving to guide others.

• In Daoism, the Dao refers to the way the universe works.

Shintoism

• Shinto is a local belief system in Japan, closely tied to Japanese patriotism. It emphasizes Japan’s
special place in the world.

• Japanese people believed their emperors were descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu.

• Shinto also involves revering Japan’s natural beauty, especially mountains.

• The name "Shinto" came around the 16th century to distinguish Japan's native beliefs from the
religions of China and Korea like Buddhism and Confucianism.

• "Shinto" means the "way of the Gods" and focuses on kami, which are Gods or spirits found in
nature, like in humans, animals, trees, and mountains.

Exercise 2: Read and answer the following question. Write it on ¼ sheet of paper.

1. How did Confucian ideas influence the government in China?

2. How did Daoism start as an organized religion?
3. Why is Shintoism important for Japanese people and their culture?

The Western Frontier

• West Asia is the region where three major religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) originated.

• Israel is the only country with a majority Jewish population, making up about 75% of its people.

• The Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world and is mostly made up of Islamic
countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Yemen, and Oman. Most Muslims
in this region follow either the Shi'a or Sunni branches of Islam. Iran and Iraq are mainly Shi’a,
while Saudi Arabia is mostly Sunni.

• West Asia’s land is mainly mountainous, and these mountains have been important in religious
beliefs, often seen as places where Gods live or where gods meet people.

• One of the most sacred places in the world is respected by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It
contains three important structures: the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the Dome
of the Chain. For Jews, the Temple Mount is their holiest site. It is also believed to be the place
where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac, according to tradition.

• Deserts and bodies of water have also been important in biblical history.
• Jerusalem is a very important city for followers of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam) because it has many sacred sites.
• The Western Wall (also called the Wailing Wall) is the second holiest site for Jews.
 • For Christians, Jerusalem has been sacred for almost 2,000 years. Important sites include Mount
Zion and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus was crucified and buried.
• For Muslims, Jerusalem has been sacred for over 1,400 years. It is the third holiest city for Sunni
Muslims.
• The Dome of the Rock is the most famous structure in Jerusalem and is believed to be the place
where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is also important in Islam,
linked to Muhammad’s night journey.
• These sites make Jerusalem a key spiritual place for all three religions.

The Indian Subcontinent

• South Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, covers more than 1.5 million square miles. It stretches
from the Hindu Kush mountains in the west to the Himalayas in the north, the Burmese mountains
in the east, and the Indian Ocean in the south.

• Over 4,000 years ago, a civilization developed along the Indus River, creating a unique culture long
before the time of Christ.

• The hot climate in India is the reason why Hindus worship the sun (Surya) and fire (Agni).

• Water is also important in Hinduism, with the God Varuna representing water and the oceans.

• India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh depend on major rivers like the Indus, Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna,
and Brahmaputra. The Ganga is considered the holiest river for Hindus, with many ancient
pilgrimage sites along its path, including Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayag, and Varanasi.

• Varanasi is also significant to Buddhists. It’s near the Deer Park in Sarnath, where Siddhartha
Gautama gave his first sermon on Buddhism. This is now marked by the Dhamek Stupa shrine.

• The Chaukhandi Stupa in Varanasi marks the spot where the Buddha met his first disciples.

The Eastern End

• At the eastern edge of Asia, China has had a strong cultural and political influence.

• China’s location between two major rivers, the Huang He and Yangtze, helped its development.
These rivers supported the people and made China the center of culture.

• Early small states in these river valleys were later controlled by China’s first dynasties, the Shang
and Zhou. It was during this time that Confucius became interested in ethical questions and
morality in government.

• After Confucius died in 479 BCE, his teachings spread across China, becoming the state religion
during the Han dynasty. Confucian ideas also spread to Korea in the 15th century and to Japan in
the 18th and 19th centuries.

• Daoism started during the Zhou dynasty as a response to the chaos and warfare at the time.

• Buddhism arrived in Japan between the 4th and 8th centuries and had a big impact on their
religious traditions.
Cultural Milieu

World religions can be categorized based on whether they are exclusive or non-exclusive.

• Exclusive religions are usually monotheistic, like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

• Non-exclusive religions include Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism.

Note:

• Exclusive religions think their way is the only right way.

• Non-exclusive religions believe there are many valid ways to find truth.

Monotheism and Universality

• Judaism and Islam both believe in one God.

• Christianity also believes in one God but sees God as three persons: the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit (the Trinity).

• Islam is based on the "Five Pillars of Islam," which are key principles of the Muslim faith.

• Christianity and Islam are considered universal religions because they aim to spread globally.

• Judaism is considered an ethnic religion because it is mainly followed by a specific group of people
in a particular region, with traditions passed down through generations.

The Concept of Dharma

• The idea of dharma is important in religions from India, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,
and Sikhism.

• In Hinduism, dharma means duty, righteousness, and ethics, and it includes virtues like peace,
empathy, and kindness.

• In Buddhism, dharma refers to the natural law and order of the universe, and the teachings of the
Buddha.

• For Theravada Buddhism, dharma also refers to the factors of existence.

• Dharmic religions (like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism) don't require followers to
openly declare their faith. Instead, practices like meditation and yoga help guide right behavior
and a deeper understanding of the universe.

• Hindus and Buddhists share similar ideas about enlightenment and liberation, but differ in key
ways:

o Hindus believe in trimurti, the three forms of God.

o Buddhists don’t believe in any Gods and don’t require rituals or intermediaries for
connecting with the divine.

On Nature and Ancestors

 • In Confucianism, there is a strong belief in natural and moral order. Ancestor worship and
reverence for heaven are important, with the goal of creating an ideal society based on harmony.
Confucius emphasized five key relationships:

1. Ruler and subjects

2. Father and son

3. Husband and wife

4. Older and younger brothers

5. Friends or members of the community

• In Shintoism, Gods are connected to nature, such as sacred mountains like Mount Fuji. Shrines are
built to honor ancestors, natural features, and significant events. Followers practice rituals to
connect with society’s past and the nation’s history. Many Shinto followers also practice
Buddhism.

Exercise 3: Create an infographic about interconnectedness of geography, culture, and religion.

LESSON 2.1: Influences of Religion to Culture and Society

"Faith is like Wi-Fi; you can’t see it, but it connects you to what you need." Do you agree with this? If so,
this module will show you how religions help us get what we need and how they positively impact culture
and society. You’ll learn how faith and good beliefs can influence a person’s life. You will also explore the
negative effects of religion.

Religion is important because it helps us find meaning and purpose in our lives. Every day, we face
pressures to focus on things that seem more important, but we also have a need to understand the world
and our place in it. Religions help us make sense of our experiences by offering beliefs and practices that
create a sense of community and support. Many religions have mentors, like priests, pastors, rabbis, or
imams, who serve as examples of how to live by these beliefs.

At its best, religion provides:

1. Meaning, purpose, and hope, often shared through stories and traditions. These traditions give
us different answers to life's big questions and help us understand what it means to be human.
When we participate in these traditions, we join others on a journey to discover these answers.

2. Religion often involves community gatherings for worship and celebrating special holidays. These
events, like festivals and pilgrimages, help connect everyday life to deeper meanings.

For example:

• The Eucharist is a Christian tradition where people share bread and wine to remember Jesus' last
supper and his sacrifice for others.

• Eid ul Fitr is a Muslim celebration after Ramadan, where they give thanks and reflect on the lessons
of fasting, like patience, humility, and devotion to God.
 3. Personal Identity and Community: Religion helps people form strong bonds with others who
share similar beliefs and values. These communities support and care for each other. For example,
Buddhists focus on mindfulness, peace, and compassion. Judaism teaches moral acts like kindness
(mitzvoth) and repairing the world (Tikkun olam), promoting social justice. Islam emphasizes
charity. These practices remind us that life is about more than just individual success – it's about
helping others and improving the world. Religion also offers a way to live ethically and puts life
into perspective.
4. Rituals of Gratitude: Religion includes rituals where people give thanks for their blessings, which
helps emotional health and happiness. These rituals are also important during life changes like
birth, commitment, forgiveness, and death.
5. Education and Understanding: Religion offers opportunities to learn about the history, traditions,
and beliefs of different cultures. It helps people understand religious symbols and teachings in a
way that connects to modern life.

Religion can also have negative impacts on society and mental health, which need to be managed.
Some examples are:

1. Support for Harmful Policies: Religion has been used to defend harmful practices like slavery,
racial segregation, and discrimination. These outdated beliefs don't apply to modern society and
can lead to fanaticism (you ignore the beliefs of other individual that will lead to disrespect other
views).

2. Discouraging Progress: Some religious leaders discourage social progress, claiming that improving
society distracts from spiritual priorities. They may encourage people to accept suffering as part
of a divine plan.

3. Supporting Harmful Institutions: Religion sometimes provides financial or moral support to

governments or groups that use their influence for harmful purposes, such as spreading
extremism.

4. Tax Exemption: Religious institutions may receive special benefits, like exemption from taxes on
property, which creates an unfair advantage compared to other groups that may face higher taxes.

5. Religious Wars: Conflicts such as the Crusades and Jihad, as well as modern examples like the
Marawi siege, have led to violence and loss of life. These wars can sometimes go against the
principles of the religion itself and lead to a sense of superiority over others.

Activity 2: Gather a web-based articles, photos, editorial, etc. showing the positive or negative effects of
religion. (Print it on a A4 bond paper)

Note: BE CREATIVE.