Materials

• Map
• Short stories or news articles about the division between Hindus and Muslims in Pakistan and India; between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland; and among Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Jerusalem.

Instructional Activities

1. Review information from the previous session.
   
   
2. Ask students whether most of them cheer for their school’s athletic teams during games. Ask them why they do this. Ask them to share their favorite professional baseball, basketball, or football team. A variety of answers may be given. If so, ask the students how they can all cheer for the same school team and not for the same professional team. What causes them to prefer one team to another? One television show over another? One music group?
   
   
3. Explain that people within the same culture may have similar points of view about an issue. When groups share the same interests or background, they often become united in one cause — for example, they may all want the same team to win. Explain that people within the same culture sometimes have opposite views on certain issues. These opposing views often lead to conflict or division within the culture. Ask students to provide examples of a culture being united by one cultural factor and divided by another. Remind students that they have already identified two characteristics that people share — language and ethnicity.
   
   
4. Ask students whether it is possible for something to be a dividing factor for some and a uniting factor for others. Explain that religion is an example of a characteristic that can unite or divide. Provide the following examples, and explain them to the students:
   • Religion as a unifying force
     - Hinduism
     - Buddhism
     - Judaism
     - Christianity
     - Islam
   • Religion as a divisive force
     - Conflicts between Hindus and Muslims in Pakistan and India
     - Conflicts between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland
     - Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claiming Jerusalem as their religious heritage site
   
   
5. Illustrate on a map where each of these religious conflict are centered. Provide some background on the practices and beliefs of each religion.
   
   
6. Provide passages for students to read about these conflicts. Show a video that provides background information on these conflicts.