INTRODUCTION TO

WORLD RELIGIONS
& BELIEF SYSTEMS
QUARTER 1: MODULE 1
 Quarter 1 – Module 1:

Concept, Elements and

Characteristics of Belief
Systems, Worldview,
Religion & Spirituality
 Word Definition
- is a set of beliefs and practices that is often focused on one or more deities or
Religion 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.
Spirituality (Dr Maya Spencer)

- is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by people.
Worldview
- is the study of religious faith, practice, and experience especially the study of
Theology God and of God's relation to the world.

Eastern Belief - this includes the East Asian religions (Shintoism,

  Sindoism, Taoism and Confucianism), Indian religions (Hinduism, Buddhism,
Sikhism and Jainism)
(Wikipedia)
- religions that originated within western culture. The term Abrahamic religions
Western Belief (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) is often used to refer to this. (Wikipedia)
 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.
 Kinds of Belief
System Description

Monism There is no real distinction between god and the

universe
Monotheism The doctrine/belief in one supreme god

Polytheism The belief and worship of many gods

Atheism Disbelief in or denial of the existence of a personal

god
Agnosticism 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.”
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 • Belief in a superhuman power
outside of you, the creator of the
universe.

• Personal belief or values system • Dictated belief or conditioned

mind
• God is inside the heart • God is inside the mind
• Spiritual laws-based • Faith-based
• Heaven is a state of mind • Heaven is a place you go when
you die
• Human relationship/Deed • Brick or Mortar Temple
Others: Others:
• Belies with individuals • Expressly stated, organized
• Internal Focus belief system
• Goal: To determine • External focus and formal
common principles, values, structure
and ethics • Goal: Salvation through one
• Belief about what is good, truth and one right way
true, and beautiful
• Unites people over society
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
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.
 EIGHT ELEMENTS OF
RELIGIONS
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.
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.
 ANTHROPOLOGICAL
STRUCTURES OF RELIGION
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.
- There is a belief in reincarnations and rebirth.
- Things can be made better or worse through karma.
IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING
RELIGION
1. Understand the difference and see similarities
between nations and culture both political and
philosophical.
2. Appreciate our own belief by seeing them
alongside those of others.
3. Work for Ecumenism through a meaningful
exchange of ideas between religious groups.
 SIMILARITIES OF RELIGIONS
1. Belief in a power greater than humans.
2. Holy places (Ex. Mecca, Vatican, Bodh Gaya, River Ganges).
3. Set of religious symbols by which the religion is identified.
4. Having a liturgy or observance of Holy Days.
5. Having Sacred or Holy Writings and list of rules.
6. Number of important people, founders, prophets, missionaries, and historical
people.
7. Place of worship.
8. 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