www.shsph.blogspot.com Quarter 1 – Module 1: Concept, Elements and Characteristics of Belief Systems, World View, Religion, and Spirituality www.shsph.blogspot.com Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems – SHS Concept, Elements and Characteristics of Belief Systems, Worldview, Religion, and Spirituality - 1st Semester Module Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties. Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them. Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin SDO Albay Schools Division Superintendent: Norma B. Samantela, CESO VI SDO Albay Assistant Schools Division Superintendent: Wilfredo J. Gavarra SDO Albay Assistant Schools Division Superintendent: Fatima D. Buen Development Team of the Module Writer: June Paul Tino – Daraga National High School Content Editor: Juan A. Magdaong II – Daraga National High School Language Editor: Rosemarie P. Esporlas – Bascaran High School Layout Editor: Mark Joed Q. Matias – Oas Polytechnic School Antonio L. Morada Project In-Charge: Judith P. Restubog – EPS (EsP), SDO Albay Quality Assurance Team: Dr. Sancita Peñarubia Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division Edison L. Mallapre EPS, LRMDS Judith P. Restubog EPS, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 2 www.shsph.blogspot.com l. INTRODUCTION In this module, you will explore the world of your faith. You will learn the basic concept, elements, and characteristics of belief system, worldview, religion, and spirituality and how these affect you as a person. Are you religious or spiritual? Let us discover in this module. ll.OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to: 1. Differentiate the concept, elements and characteristics of belief system, worldview, religion, and spirituality. lll.VOCABULARY LIST As you go along with the module, you will encounter the following terms. Familiarize yourselves with its definitions for you to be able to understand the concepts being presented about religion. Word Religion - Spirituality Worldview - Theology Eastern Belief - Definition is a set of beliefs and practices that is often focused on one or more deities or gods involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than myself, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature. (Dr Maya Spencer) is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by people. is the study of religious faith, practice, and experience especially the study of God and of God's relation to the world. this includes the East Asian religions (Shintoism, INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 3 www.shsph.blogspot.com Western Belief Sindoism, Taoism and Confucianism), Indian religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism) (Wikipedia) - religions that originated within western culture. The term Abrahamic religions (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) is often used to refer to this. (Wikipedia) lV. PRE-TEST Direction: Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of the correct answer in your notebook. COLUMN A 1. Relating or affecting the human spirit or soul that is one’s personal integrative view on 2. Organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods 3. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by people 4. The systematic study of the existence and nature of the divine 5. A belief in that there is only one God who could have designed and created the universe COLUMN B A. Religion B. Spirituality C. Theology D. Theism E. Worldview Were you able to get it? If yes congratulations, if not it’s okay, let’s explore the topic below. V.LEARNING ACTIVITIES Activity: MY HAPPY PILL Instructions: Looking at the pictures below which are related to faith, answer the question “What are you happy about your faith?” Write your answer in your journal. Afterwards, answer the processing questions found at the bottom of the illustrations. Write your answer in your journal. INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 4 www.shsph.blogspot.com https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=helping+hand https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=prayer https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=heaven _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ https://www.google.com.ph/search?hl=en&authuser Processing questions. 1. What are the things in my faith that make me happy? 2. How does this happiness affect my relationship with others? Vl.DEEPENING WORLDVIEW Worldview is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by people. (The Free Dictionary 2014). This is how every individual sees and interprets the world. For a certain individual, social environment and upbringing are critical in the development of a religious life. All these factors influence how people organize their beliefs and ideas while eventually creating a comprehensive narrative through which they look at the world and interrelate with it. Belief in god or gods is found in almost all religions. There is a good reason to presuppose that religion had existed during prehistoric times and this has continued to the modern day. Human life may have produced hundreds of religions and belief systems. There could be more unknown than known religions in the world since recorded history covers only several thousand years of human existence. Kinds of Belief System Monism Monotheism Description There is no real distinction between god and the universe The doctrine/belief in one supreme god INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 5 www.shsph.blogspot.com Polytheism Atheism Agnosticism The belief and worship of many gods Disbelief in or denial of the existence of a personal god God cannot be known DEFINITION AND NATURE OF RELIGION Religion may be defined as “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods” (Merriam-Websters Dictionary 2014). The Latin word religion refers to “something done with overanxious or scrupulous attention to detail” (Bowker 1997). This term may have probably been derived from the Latin verb religare which means “to tie together, to bind fast.” In its original sense, the word refers to expression of proper piety, that is, binding to god (Grassie 2010). Quite later, religion was used to designate formal belief systems and tenets. The term was eventually applied to what we now call as religion because of the manner in which people performed rituals during those days. While religion may be universal in all stages of human history, it does not follow that all individuals are religious or even religious to some degree (Parrinder 1971). THE ORIGIN OF RELIGION 1. The Human Quest for Meaning Understanding our World and our Experience 2. The Quest of Purpose The motivation to live a life which promotes human wholeness in accordance with the meaning discovered. 3. The Quest for Salvation The search to be free from the feeling of disharmony deep within the human person. CONCEPT OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY SPIRITUALITY RELIGION • Belief that the divine is within us • Personal belief or values system • God is inside the heart • Spiritual laws-based • Heaven is a state of mind • Belief in a superhuman power outside of you, the creator of the universe. • Dictated belief or conditioned mind • God is inside the mind • Faith-based • Heaven is a place you go when you die INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 6 www.shsph.blogspot.com • Human relationship/Deed Others: • Belies with individuals • Internal Focus • Goal: To determine common principles, values, and ethics • Belief about what is good, true, and beautiful • Unites people over society • Brick or Mortar Temple Others: • Expressly stated, organized belief system • External focus and formal structure • Goal: Salvation through one truth and one right way Activity: ARE YOU RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL? Instructions: After understanding the differences between religion and spirituality, self-assess whether you are religious or spiritual by situating yourself in the meter below. Explain your answer. Write your answer in your journal. Spiritual Religious THEOLOGY Theology is the study of religious faith, practice, and experience especially the study of God and of God's relation to the world. CHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION Most scholars agree that every religion has the same three basic elements: 1. Wisdom or Creed a. A creed is a set of truths that must be accepted and agreed to by those who wish to belong to the religion, those who choose to be a follower or disciple. e.g. The Nicene creed, Laws of Manu, Ten Commandments INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 7 www.shsph.blogspot.com b. A creed is a summary of the principle beliefs of a religion. e.g. The Nicene creed, Laws of Manu, Ten Commandments 2. Worship or Cult a. Refers to the way of worshipping, to the RITUALS that are practiced by followers of the religion. b. This is often a difficult element to describe because it involves so many diverse elements. 3. Works or Code a. Refers to the ethical values and the system of moral practice directly resulting from an adherence to the beliefs. EIGHT ELEMENTS OF RELIGIONS 1. BELIEF SYSTEM or WORLDVIEW: Many beliefs that fit together in a system to make sense of the universe and our place in it. 2. COMMUNITY: The belief system is shared, and its ideals are practiced by a group. 3. CENTRAL STORIES/MYTHS: Stories that help explain the beliefs of a group; these are told over and over again and sometimes performed by members of the group. They may or may not be factual. 4. RITUALS: Beliefs are explained, taught, and made real through ceremonies. 5. ETHICS: Rules about how to behave; these rules are often thought to have come from a deity or supernatural place, but they might also be seen as guidelines created by the group over time. 6. CHARACTERISTIC EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Most religions share emotions such as awe, mystery, guilt, joy, devotion, conversion, inner peace, etc. 7. MATERIAL EXPRESSION: Religions use things to perform rituals or to express or represent beliefs, such as: statues, paintings, music, flowers, incense, clothes, architecture, and specific sacred locations. INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 8 www.shsph.blogspot.com 8. SACREDNESS: Religions see some things as sacred and some not sacred (or profane). Some objects, actions, people, and places may share in the sacredness or express it. Activity 2: THE ELEMENTS OF RELIGION IN YOUR LIFE Instructions: If you do not feel comfortable answering these questions, or if you do not practice a religion, you may find a friend or family member who will share his/her beliefs and practices with you. Or, if you like, find answers from doing your own research on one specific religion (it does not have to be Judaism, Christianity, or Islam). Write your answers in your notebook. 1. BELIEFS: What is one central belief of your religion? _____________________________________________________________. 2. COMMUNITY: How is your religion shared with others in your religious community? _____________________________________________________________. 3. CENTRAL STORIES/MYTHS: What is one of the myths or stories from your religion? _____________________________________________________________. 4. RITUALS: What ritual do you find meaningful in your religion? _____________________________________________________________. 5. ETHICS: What is one rule from your religion you are supposed to follow? _____________________________________________________________. 6. EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Have you ever had an emotional religious experience? What was it like? _____________________________________________________________. 7. MATERIAL EXPRESSION: What is one thing used in your religion? What is it used for? _____________________________________________________________. 8. SACREDNESS: Can you think of a sacred place associated with your religion? Why is it sacred? _____________________________________________________________. INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 9 www.shsph.blogspot.com ANTHROPOLOGICAL STRUCTURES OF RELIGION Western and Eastern Beliefs (Anthropological Structure of Religions) Western Religions Eastern Religions Buddhism Judaism Taoism Christianity Shintoism Islam Hinduism Confucianism https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=religious+icon.... Western Beliefs • • • • • • MONOTHEISTIC - believe in one God. Share a similar view of the world and concept because they both sprang from Judaism (Islam and Christianity). Humans must enter an interpersonal relationship with God. Morality is based on learning the will of God, understanding, and living it out individually and as a community. Time is viewed as Linear, from beginning to end. The Bible (Christianity, Torah (Judaism), or Qur’an (Islam) are the central books studied and lived by. Eastern Beliefs • • • • • • • POLYTHEISM- belief in more than one god. Main concern is to live a good, happier, and have better life. Creation contains god within it. All elements of creation from plants to animals have an animated spirit. Meditation is central to these faiths. Life is balanced. Holy books are not central to the belief and practice. Time is viewed in cycles. INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 10 www.shsph.blogspot.com • • There is a belief in reincarnations and rebirth. Things can be made better or worse through karma. IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RELIGION • • • Understand the difference and see similarities between nations and culture both political and philosophical. Appreciate our own belief by seeing them alongside those of others. Work for Ecumenism through a meaningful exchange of ideas between religious groups. SIMILARITIES OF RELIGIONS (THE STRUCTURE OF RELIGIONS) • • • • • • • • Belief in a power greater than humans. Holy places (Ex. Mecca, Vatican, Bodh Gaya, River Ganges). Set of religious symbols by which the religion is identified. Having a liturgy or observance of Holy Days. Having Sacred or Holy Writings and list of rules. Number of important people, founders, prophets, missionaries, and historical people. Place of worship. Belief in the Golden Rule RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES • Their idea of sin or evil • Their idea of salvation • Their idea of priesthood • Their idea of a personal God • CHECK WHAT YOU KNOW! Let us do some processing on the concepts learned in this topic. Write your answers in your journal. 1. What is your new understanding on the concept of religion and spirituality? 2. Are you familiar with the different ways of your religion? Explain. 3. In your present understanding of your religion, how does this affect your everyday life? 4. How does your understanding affect your relationship with others? Congratulations! You finished the task. Continue the work by doing the next task INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 11 www.shsph.blogspot.com . Vll. APPLICATION Activity: LIVING UP THE FAITH Instructions: Your life is the witness to your faith/religion. Make a creative presentation of how you live your faith. (e.g. comic strip, photo essay, poem, song, life story, etc.) Write your answer on a bond paper. IX. POST-TEST Instructions: Differentiate Religious from Spiritual by classifying the following statements in the categories below. Copy the table in your journal and place the letter of the correct answer under the right category. RELIGIOUS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. SPIRITUAL Services are done in the place of worship Nurtures relationship with other people Develops inner self through self-reflection Follows sets of creeds and teachings Regularly goes to the place of worship CONGRATULATIONS! INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 12 www.shsph.blogspot.com X. ANSWER KEY PRE-TEST 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. B A E C D POST-TEST 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Religious Spiritual Spiritual Religious Religious INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 13 www.shsph.blogspot.com References: Books • Cornelio, Jayeel S. Ph.D., Calano, Mark Joseph T, Ph.D., Sapitual, Manuel Victor J. Ph.D. (2016). Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. Manila Philippines: Rex Book Store • Ong, Jerome A. and Jose, Mary Dorothy dL. (2016). Introduction to world religions and belief systems. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc. Internet https://college.holycross.edu/projects/himalayan_cultures/2011_plans/sshmitt/image s/Elements.pdf https://www.slideshare.net/arias201625/belief-system-religion-andspirituality?fbclid=IwAR0VUAX0BjKOlfSm7JaTsUort7RjBt2sQ21aKZSGxmqTjckQ8_ VZo6UKxbU https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/customer-satisfaction-meter-vector17800377 shorturl.at/hlpIP shorturl.at/coHKM shorturl.at/bkmwX shorturl.at/kAQRW shorturl.at/doyAH shorturl.at/aqAJS INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 14 www.shsph.blogspot.com For inquiries or comments, please contact: INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 15
