What does geography tell us about religion?

Question

Typically, Christians live in lands that are made up of Christians, Muslims-muslims, hindus-hindus, and the like. Therefore, your geographical location mostly designates what religion you follow (if you follow one at all). Does this fact invalidate religion, why or why not?

Answer 1

I don't think that it does. Religion is really philosophy and without exposure to a certain belief it is usually impossible for one to think in the same way. The same could be applied to science. Just because people in New Guinea don't have a concept of science doesn't mean that it isn't valid.

It does bring in to question the ability of a deity to maintain a consistent message. If I were god and knew that hell awaited those who were led into the wrong religion, then I would do everything possible to maintain one message and truth. If a God exists, he doesn't seem too concerned about that. So either he doesn't care if humans end up in hell or there is no hell.

Answer 2

I think it says that people all over the world are connected - and many of them - have felt the presence of God - a Power. (I like to call it the power of Love). We're all connected and there is just one God. People have just made up different "rules" about It. And - you're right! Very often the people in the same geographical area agree on the "rules."

But as you can see - we are starting to mix things up. There are lots of Muslims in the U.S. now (which was pretty much just Christian and Jewish before). There are lots of Christians over in Africa now. And Buddhism, Taoism - and many other religions are finding their way all around the world.

I think this absolutely validates religion (or maybe I should say Spirituality) - because people are still reaching out to it - and in many more ways. The REAL question here - is how tolerant or better yet - open minded - can we be when it comes to the religions which are finding their ways around the world?

Namaste!

Answer 3

Why would it invalidate religion. And btw, in THIS country...the USA to be exact...we have Christians, Muslims, Hindi's, Jews, Wicca, Greek Orthodix, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, and a small percentage of Satanist and Atheists...we do not all live in any one place. So, in truth your question has no validity. However, during past ages, governments dictated what religion countries followed, so that MIGHT have something to do with it,
The Skeptical Christian
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 4

Religions arise out of a particular place and time and gradually spread from there.

No religion has ever arose simultaneously in two places. This would seem to deny the omnipresence of a single god and argue for multiple gods or for religions' human origins. The old OT obviously argues for the former ("no other gods before me") while I would argue for the latter. Religion is a search for meaning in life and each religion seems to be designed with the life of the tribe that originated it in mind, not with humanity as a whole in mind.

Answer 5

God is mysterious. The bible states this. I wish I could remember verse and scripture but , anyway, one time there was a disciple that started in a certain direction to spread the word and the Holy Spirit intervened and wouldn't let him go in that direction and preach. So, I have always thought that whatever that direction was , that God had other plans for that peoples.

Answer 6

it proves that the residents of their respective lands worshiped their gods and followed their religions.

Ask the Mormons about the geography of the civilizations in the Book of Mormon. Oh, thats right, there's no proof of their existence.

Answer 7

Of course it helps to invalidate religion. It's obvious that people believe what they believe based only on their parents and society. Nothing more.

Answer 8

Ok so, i've plenty of tradition. I am dutch, german, indonesian, and black. But I grew up with my dutch indo mother and my grandparents. track: my grandma on my dad's facet nonetheless sings me german lullabies :] we do not fairly pay attention to cultural track in my condo even though artwork: most of the time whatever in delft blue dominates my condo. meals: espresso, bread, tea, and cheese. Any dutch individuals steady vitamin :P language: dutch and english combined in combination, making a language most effective my loved ones can recognize. geography: Urr. My grandparents have been born in indonesia, then went to The Netherlands seeing that of the battle. dance: good I realize dutch women folks dance with the little clog footwear and french braids, however we do not do it. lol traditions: Sinter Clas (the dutch santa claus) if we're unhealthy, we get despatched clear of our households to prefer cotton. faith: we've got continually been christian. As for my dad's facet, my nice grandma used to be a jewish lady dwelling in Nazi Germany. She used to be taken to camps and went insane. She escaped, however used to be utterly mind washed via the Nazis. She a few how married a black guy and my grandma used to be born. She did not like my grandma seeing that she wasn't Aryan. She appeared black, her dad's genes have been dominate. She used to be embarrassed of her, she beat her and abused her. That's kinda the sorrowful factor approximately my dad's facet of the loved ones. They went via such a lot abuse and torture.

Answer 9

What we believe is partly cultural. We are more likely to believe what we are most exposed to. If we are exposed to images of dogs flying to the moon, we are more likely to believe that dogs can fly to the moon. It says nothing about truth, only about exposure.

Religion is fundamentally unprovable, and so therefore is more subject to cultural influences than things which are disprovable (such as dogs flying to the moon).

Answer 10

No, it doesn't. Reason being is that there are CHristians in all parts of the world. "Typically" isn't "definitely" for sure, but I can see why you may think that.
Point being, the book of Acts (1:8), Jesus advised us (who believe) to spread his word to all parts of the planet.