
English word that is derived from the Latin
word religio
 This refers to the fear or awe one feels in the presence
of a spirit or god

Western culture defines:
 A set of beliefs having to do with gods , through which
one is taught a moral system


This fits for the majority of religions of the
world
Some religion recognize the existence of gods
but have very little to do with them

Four Types

Basic

Originating in India

Originating in China and Japan

Originating in the Middle East


Applied to the religions of contemporary people
whose religious ideas are not preserved in written
form and to religions of prehistoric peoples ,
whom we know little about.
Embraces a great variety of beliefs and practices
 Animism (worship of all of nature, souls in everything)
 Totemism (idea humans are connected to other creatures or
objects in nature)
 Polytheism (more then one god)

Examples (common characteristics is an animistic
view of nature)
 Native American
 African

Numbers are rapidly dwindling as conversion of
Christianity and Islam proceeds
Religions that originated in India

 Hinduism
 India
 Jainism
 India
 Buddhism
 Asian Nations (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, &
Thailand)
 Sikhism
 India

Basic Beliefs





Many gods (except Sikhism)
One person may lead many lives through a system of reincarnation
Ultimate concern is the release from the cycle of life , death, and
rebirth
Sometimes achieved through gods
Often it is expected by their actions or lack thereof

Religions originating in China & Japan
 Daoism
 Confucianism
 Shinto

Questions on if Daoism & Confucianism are
religions
 They have religious aspects at times so scholars
consider them a religion

Beliefs in common
 Many gods
 Worship of nature
 Worship of ancestors

Religions originating in the Middle East






Beliefs in common






Zorastraianism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Baha’I
Supreme Creator God
A person only lives one earthly life
Regard the material universe positively
Hold a linear view of time
Divine judgement of the world
Found all over the world and number in billions

Element #1

Intellectual (way of thinking)
 Where did we come from? (origins, creation)
 Why are we here? (issues with morals and values)
 Where are we going? (afterlife)
 Who are we? (the soul, nature of human nature)
 Who is god?
 Is there someone watching out for us or are we alone?

Element #2

Emotional (a way of feeling)
 How we relate with the divine
 Basis mysticism and spiritual life
 Hidden side of religion
 Draws on internal personal feelings
 Awe, faith hope gratitude, appreciation, joy, bliss,
peace
 Feelings cause you to respond in certain ways both
intellectually and actively

Element #3

Active/Performative (way of acting)
 Social system to how we relate with each other
 Spiritual practices: meditation, prayer, chanting, ritual
 Physical forms: buildings, ritual objects, statues or art
 Communal celebrations: rites of passage, holiday
celebrations,
 Social laws: morals, ethics, prohibitions, taboos