Religion and Cultural Landscape
- Submitted by: choayo
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- Category: History: Religion
- Date Submitted: 02/02/2010 07:39 PM
- Pages: 2
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Christianity and Islam are currently the two largest religions in the world. The two religions must have a vast impact on the culture and physical landscape of the earth. Sacred sites and architecture are the main ways that shape the landscape of the world.
In Christianity, the place of worship is the church. In small towns the church is usually the tallest building, and the center of the community. This is done so that the church can be seen from all directions. Traditionally, Christians dress up to attend church. The church serves as a place for all Christians to gather together and worship.
The center point of the Islamic world is the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Sitting in Mecca is the Kaaba. Mecca serves as a holy site in Islam because it is the birth place of Muhammad. Each year, thousands of Muslims flock to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. To Muslims, Mecca serves as the center of the world because for every religious thing they do they face towards the holy city.
In cities and towns where Christianity is the dominating religion, giant churches can be seen, each with distinct designs that are similar to each other. As said before, churches are usually the tallest buildings of Christian cities and towns.
Similar to Christianity, in primarily Muslim cities, the Islamic mosque serves as the center. The mosque usually sits in the middle of the community, the focal point of the community. Mosques are often designed geometrically but simple at the same time. Images are forbidden in mosques and the Islam religion in general because it is believed that nature and humans should not be reproduced in artwork. While Christian churches often have paintings hanging around, mosques are not decorated by artwork at all.
It can be seen that Christianity and Islam are religions that shape the world’s cultural and physical landscapes vastly. With more people becoming adherents to the religions daily, it can predicted that the religions will only continue to...
In Christianity, the place of worship is the church. In small towns the church is usually the tallest building, and the center of the community. This is done so that the church can be seen from all directions. Traditionally, Christians dress up to attend church. The church serves as a place for all Christians to gather together and worship.
The center point of the Islamic world is the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Sitting in Mecca is the Kaaba. Mecca serves as a holy site in Islam because it is the birth place of Muhammad. Each year, thousands of Muslims flock to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. To Muslims, Mecca serves as the center of the world because for every religious thing they do they face towards the holy city.
In cities and towns where Christianity is the dominating religion, giant churches can be seen, each with distinct designs that are similar to each other. As said before, churches are usually the tallest buildings of Christian cities and towns.
Similar to Christianity, in primarily Muslim cities, the Islamic mosque serves as the center. The mosque usually sits in the middle of the community, the focal point of the community. Mosques are often designed geometrically but simple at the same time. Images are forbidden in mosques and the Islam religion in general because it is believed that nature and humans should not be reproduced in artwork. While Christian churches often have paintings hanging around, mosques are not decorated by artwork at all.
It can be seen that Christianity and Islam are religions that shape the world’s cultural and physical landscapes vastly. With more people becoming adherents to the religions daily, it can predicted that the religions will only continue to...