Essay on Why Christians Should Develop a Comprehensive Understanding of Geography

Christianity is the worlds largest religion by adherents (with more than 2.1 billion believers) and geographical penetration in the world's inhabited continents. Christians make up 34% of the world population (Rowntree et al., 2012). The regions where Christianity is most represented are Europe, Latin America, North America and Africa. Christianity is a universalizing religion meaning that rather than people being born into it, there is conversion. In fact, Christianity's most appealing trait is treating everybody equally before man and most importantly God. Hence, Geography and geographical variations on the globe is a crucial topic of interest for Christians in the interest of spreading the Christian faith and ethos.

The world is made up of different cultures, and it is in the interest of Christians to keep in mind this fact. For example, in Tibet, the dress code, language, and mannerisms of people is markedly different from in say Dallas, Texas. Globalization is connecting people more and more, and technology is being embraced by an increasing number of the world's population today regardless of geographical location (Knox et al., 2016). For example in parts of rural Africa and Asia people have access to cell phones and the internet while having a scarcity of water problem. The uniting message of globalization in bringing together people from various points on the globe can have the adverse effect of overlooking basic needs such as food, water, clothing, and shelter. It is then the place of Christians to provide a particular society's actual needs and wants, those that explicitly promote holistic living

In gaining a deeper understanding of Geography, Christians need to understand that there are other religions in the world besides Christianity. More than that, Christians while spreading their ethos need to respect other peoples beliefs. A Christian in the 21st century has to be more open-minded than one in the 20th century in tolerating other religions (Frost & Hirsch, 2013). Talks between global, regional and national religious representatives and encouraging tolerance between Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus and other religions can help combat problems like terrorism and extremism. The underlying point is we are all human, and we need to live in peace above everything else.

The world is full of resources, but they are not evenly spread. Water is essential for the sustenance of human life. In accordance with Christianity, human life is sacred. Christians all over the world are usually involved in community projects such as drilling boreholes in places where water is scarce. The people who bear the most significant burden of water issues are those living in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Data provided by Geography's world maps paint a grim picture of these places. Some of these regions have an unstable government in place; others have harsh climates like in the Kalahari in Namibia and Angola. Sharing is an essential facet of the Christian faith.

Everybody in the world has encountered a version of "treat your neighbor as you would yourself." It is vital for Christians to have geographical data and records showing which places are most affected by water crises and the reasons behind this so that they can help out these people. For example, poor people in wet areas such as the Congo with no gutters for rainwater collection will not need boreholes drilled. Christians hence have to understand geographical distribution of phenomena such as climate, natural resources, per capita income, culture and language, political systems and so on to help out their neighbors in the best possible manner.

References

Frost, M., & Hirsch, A. (2013). The shaping of things to come: Innovation and mission for the 21st-century church. Baker Books.Knox, P. L., Marston, S. A., & Imort, M. (2016). Human geography: Places and regions in a global context. Pearson.

Rowntree, L., Lewis, M., Price, M., & Wyckoff, W. (2012). Diversity amid globalization. World Regions.