relig-geog -...

This element of folk culture
persists alongside popular or
commodity culture when other
elements of folk culture have been
abandoned
"Religion" comes from religare
(Latin) meaning to fasten or
connect loose parts into a whole
Formal regions defined by religion
are noticeably different from each
other (e.g. the contrast between
Catholic and Protestant regions in
the Americas and in Europe)--why?
Ritual bathing in the Ganges
River (Varanasi, India)

As religion connects it also divides
Inclusion and exclusion
“Identity” is the glue that holds groups
together
 Personal (who am I?)
 Geographical (where do I belong?)
Prohibitions that non-believers do not
observe act as barriers to diffusion
Reduce and change interactions with persons
who are not co-religionists.
In addition, labels like "infidel," "heathen,"
and "gentile" promote the idea that those
with different cultural traditions are bad,
evil, or misguided
worshipers at a
mosque in Pakistan

The existing pattern of religions is the result of centuries of diffusion.
o
Religion defines "Us" and "Them" which shapes diffusion of other traits
o
Proselytizing (or proselytic) religions promote diffusion outside their cultural
region (Christianity) or inside that region (Islam), while ethnic religions do
not

Major religions correspond to large regions:

Christianity : Europe, Americas, Oceania

Islam : North Africa, Middle East, parts of S. Asia & S.E. Asia

Hinduism : India and part of Sri Lanka
 Buddhism : parts of S. Asia, much of S.E. Asia, much of E. Asia
The boundaries between religious culture regions are like plate
boundaries in the earth's crust: lots of shaking and frequent eruptions.
No rule is hard and fast in geography, however

The contact zone between Islam and Hinduism also led to the
emergence of the Sikh religion, which reconciles conflicting elements
of Hinduism and Islam

Various beliefs coexist alongside each other in North America with
relatively little conflict

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahglidden/127900107/

Whether intentionally or not, dietary prohibitions tend to
reduce casual interaction between non-coreligionists, and
therefore inhibit diffusion across religious lines

Commensalism (eating together) symbolizes togetherness
Sociofacts associated with religion tend to both group and
divide people, including dietary prohibitions (proscriptions)

Hinduism and beef avoidance

Jainism, Buddhism, and vegetarianism

Ahimsa and karma

Kashrut and Dhabiha Halaal

Pork avoidance and more

Kashrut (Jewish dietary
restrictions)
