Secularism Fundamentalism Extremism Rise of Secularism indifference to

Secularism Fundamentalism Extremism

Rise of Secularism – - indifference to or rejection of organized religious affiliations & ideas. - Worldly

The Rise of Secularism World wide 4/6 billion adhere to a religion Separation of Church & State a new concept Today in the Developed World religion has declined in importance Secularism is most common in urban, industrialized nations Anti-religious ideologies like communism discouraged organized worship

Religion vs. Social Change Globalization has exposed residents in developing countries to values and beliefs originating in the West Many religious adherents in developing countries view economic development as incompatible with religious values Afghanistan – strict laws inspired by Islamic values imposed by the Taliban India – caste system shortcomings highlighted by British administrators and Christian missionaries, efforts to provide more opportunities to lower castes more recently

Government Impact on Religion The Soviet Union: - Marxism became the official doctrine, so religious doctrine was a potential threat, religion dwindled in daily life - Official policy of atheism - Drew boundaries for political control that separated ethnic groups in small areas - Fall of the Soviet Union brought religious revival to Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Armenia and Azerbaijan Soviet Union’s divide-and-diminish plan

Religion vs. Communism Buddhism in Vietnam/SE Asia Countries – neither sides of Vietnam War were sympathetic to Buddhists Current governments have discouraged religious activities (China)

Religious Fundamentalism & Extremism Religious fundamentalism – - return to the basics of their faith. - found in Christianity, Judaism & Islam - Sharia Law -is the body of Islamic law. The term means "way" or "path"; it is the legal framework within which the public and some private aspects of life are regulated for those living in a legal system based on Islam. Religious extremism – - fundamentalism carried to the point of violence. - found in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam - Jihaad - The Arabic word "jihad" is often translated as "holy war, " but in a purely linguistic sense, the word " jihad" means struggling or striving.

Islamic Extremists and Jihad an Islamic holy war against the West

Conflicts along Religious Borders Interfaith Boundaries between the world’s major faiths. Intrafaith Boundaries within a single major faith.

Religion vs. Religion Island of Eire (Ireland) Republic of Ireland – 87% Catholic, Northern Ireland (UK) – 46% Protestant, 40% Catholics in Northern Ireland have been excluded from higher -paying jobs and better schools Catholics began protesting in 1968, 3000 have been killed since then Extremist groups disrupt daily life despite the majority of Catholics and Protestants

The Horn of Africa – Interfaith Boundary Amharic (Coptic) Christianity is in central Ethiopia Islam diffused into the Horn of Africa Indigenous religions remain in pockets Using your knowledge of ethnicity, culture, religion, and identity… What issues might develop in this area

Israel & Palestine The West Bank with the proposed security wall, parts of which the Israeli government has already built. What if you change scale?

The Former Yugoslavia What if you change scale? Genocide & Ethnic Cleansing