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Geography of Religion and Belief Systems

and environmental dimensions of religious behavior, artefacts, and attitudes are grist for the geographer's intellectual mill because spiritually motivated convictions and actions play an important role in human affairs. It is not surprising, therefore, that the geography of religion and belief systems is an important, emerging field of study. We commence this chapter with a definition of the field, particularly as it entails distinctions that arise out of the highly personal nature that religious belief is accorded in the academy and society at large. A limited review and summary of trends in the field over the past decade follows, building on Kong's (1990) and Sopher's (1967, 1981) overviews. Although North American geographers are emphasized here, research in the geography of religion is thoroughly entwined in terms of scholars' national origin, university training, and research perspectives, thus making distinctions in nationality difficult. Moreover, geographers who do not consider themselves to be geographers of religion and numerous non-geographers also make significant contributions to this field because their work clearly incorporates both religious and geographic components in their analysis and subject matter. We note that traditional empirical studies largely dominate the work published in the in this field is gaining ground, particularly via recent dissertations and presentations at AAG meetings. Additional comments about future challenges and opportunities conclude the chapter. The Focus of Study No universally accepted definition of religion exists, as illustrated by the hundreds already published and others continually being introduced (see e.g. a separate bibliographical category devoted annually to this definitional task in Social Compass: International Review of Sociology of Religion). Another indication that the term " religion " lacks a single, precise definition is the continual struggle, expressed repeatedly within the American judicial system, with questions about what are truly " religious " activities. Definitions vary in their emphasis on three contrasting perspectives: (1) a transcendental divinity; (2) an immanent spirituality that permeates all of life; and (3) an ethical philosophy. Even though a formal definition of religion is seldom stated by geographers, it appears from their writings that most accept a definition close to the following: Religion is a system of beliefs and practices that attempts to order life in terms of culturally perceived ultimate priorities. When the field of study is titled " geography of religion and belief systems, " the commonality of studies becomes even less precise. In general , the transitional zone between what is …