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com

Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Concept, Elements and
Characteristics of Belief Systems,
World View, Religion,
and Spirituality
www.shsph.blogspot.c
Introduction
om to World Religions and Belief Systems – SHS
Concept, Elements and Characteristics of Belief Systems, Worldview, Religion,
and Spirituality - 1st Semester Module

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CESO VI SDO Albay Assistant Schools Division Superintendent:
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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 Definition
- is a set of beliefs and practices that is often
Religion focused on
one or more deities or gods
- involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or
belief that there is something greater than
Spirituality 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
Worldview universe
being held by people.
- is the study of religious faith, practice, and
Theology experience especially the study of God and of
God's relation to the
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 world.
Eastern Belief - this include the East Asian religion (Shintoism
s s ,

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om Sindoism, Taoism and Confucianism), Indian
religions
(Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and
Jainism) (Wikipedia)
- religions that originated within western culture.
Western Belief 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 COLUMN B
1. Relating or affecting the human spirit or soul that A. Religion
is one’s
personal integrative view on
2. Organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules B. Spirituality
used to
worship a god or a group of gods
3. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe C. Theology
held by
people
4. The systematic study of the existence and nature D. Theism
of the
divine
5. A belief in that there is only one God who could E. Worldview
have
designed and created the universe

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

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answer
om in your journal. Afterwards, answer the processing questions found
at the bottom of the illustrations. Write your answer in your journal.

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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
Description
System
Monism There is no real distinction between god and the
universe
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Monotheism The doctrine/belief in one supreme god

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om 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.”
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  Belief in a superhuman
us power outside of you, the
creator of the
universe.
 Personal belief or values  Dictated belief or conditioned
system mind

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om  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,
 Internal Focus organized belief system
 Goal: To determine  External focus and
common principles, formal structure
values, and ethics  Goal: Salvation through
 Belief about what is good, one truth and one right
true, and beautiful way
 Unites people over society

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.

Religious Spiritual

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:

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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

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om
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.

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om 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?
.

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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.

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om  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

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om
.

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 SPIRITUAL

1. Services are done in the place of worship

2. Nurtures relationship with other people
3. Develops inner self through self-reflection
4. Follows sets of creeds and teachings
5. Regularly goes to the place of worship

CONGRATULATIONS!

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References:
om

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

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