religion IN Europe
The final standard in our European Geography unit is:
SS6G10 – Describe selected cultural characteristics of Europe.
b. Identify the major religions in Europe: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The theme and enduring understanding that best fits this standard is:
Culture
The culture of a society is the product of the religion, beliefs, customs, traditions, and government of that society.
***Note***
This standard intended as a very basic introduction to the tenets of the religions in terms of comparison to basic ideas. At no point will students participate in any practice of any of the three religions. Students will be very interested in the topic as it is the first exposure to a world religion study. Sensitivity and awareness of diversity will be considered through this topic.
For this standard, students should understand that Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are the most widely practiced religions in Europe. Students should be able to recognize some basic similarities and differences between the three religions. Students should also be able to explain how religious diversity can lead to conflict.
SS6G10 – Describe selected cultural characteristics of Europe.
b. Identify the major religions in Europe: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The theme and enduring understanding that best fits this standard is:
Culture
The culture of a society is the product of the religion, beliefs, customs, traditions, and government of that society.
***Note***
This standard intended as a very basic introduction to the tenets of the religions in terms of comparison to basic ideas. At no point will students participate in any practice of any of the three religions. Students will be very interested in the topic as it is the first exposure to a world religion study. Sensitivity and awareness of diversity will be considered through this topic.
For this standard, students should understand that Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are the most widely practiced religions in Europe. Students should be able to recognize some basic similarities and differences between the three religions. Students should also be able to explain how religious diversity can lead to conflict.
Christianity
Christianity is the most practiced religion in Europe today. Over 76% of Europeans self-identify as some form of Christian. In Western and Southern Europe, it is Roman Catholicism, which is headquartered at Vatican City in Rome, Italy. In Central and Northern Europe, Protestantism dominates; the first Protestant movements occurred in Germany. In Eastern Europe, Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the most-practiced faith. Christianity itself was founded c. 30 AD in Palestine (now Israel), but did not gain prominence in Europe until the 5th century AD.
Learn more about Christianity here:
www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/christianity-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/
Learn more about Christianity here:
www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/christianity-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/
Islam
Islam is not the largest religion in Europe, but it is one of the fastest growing faiths on the continent. Present in highest concentration in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Muslims make up some 6% of Europe’s total population. In recent years, the U.K., France, and Germany have seen the most substantial increases in Muslim population. Founded in 610 AD in modern day Saudi Arabia, Islam first entered Europe in the 700s AD by way of the Iberian Peninsula.
Learn more about Islam here:
www.dummies.com/religion/islam/islam-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/
Learn more about Islam here:
www.dummies.com/religion/islam/islam-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/
Judaism
Judaism, although the oldest of the three religions, is the least practiced in Europe today. The European Jewish population, particularly in Eastern Europe, once accounted for 60% of all the world’s Jewish population. Following the events of the Holocaust, however, this number dropped dramatically. Today only 10% of the world’s Jewish population resides in Europe.7 Judaism originated in the eastern Mediterranean c. 2000 BC, and made its way to Europe just prior to the rise of the Roman Empire.
Learn more about Judaism here:
www.dummies.com/religion/judaism/judaism-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/
Learn more about Judaism here:
www.dummies.com/religion/judaism/judaism-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/