INTRODUCTION TO WORLD

RELIGIONS AND BELIEF

SYSTEMS
By: Harley Stephen E. Cantomayor, LPT
UNDERSTANDING BELIEF,
RELIGION, AND RELATED
TERMS
BELIEF
† Refers to a conviction concerning particular ideas.
† Belief shapes our ideas regarding our reality, and is influenced by our
perception, experiences, and ideas.
For instance, we believe that certain objects such as tables, chairs,
and trees are real because we perceive them through our senses.
† Belief also generally requires proof of assurance of certain degree of
truthfulness.
† Scientific studies are believable because they use rigorous research
processes to acquire data and evidence to support their claims.
† Other beliefs, however, are formed not on the basis of perception and actual
experience but through a mental process based on ideas and attitudes.
† Our belief in supernatural, for instance, is a type of belief that goes beyond
what perceive and know.
† Superstitious beliefs and religious beliefs do not rely on facts and evidence
but are nevertheless accepted as true by many.
- Belief, therefore, is not only based on perception, fact, or empirical
evidence, but also on the acceptance of the likelihood of something to be
true.
FAITH
† Is generally defined as belief that is not based on proof.
† It also connotes confidence or trust in a person or a thing.
† In religion, faith refers to observance of religious obligations, an
attitude of reverence toward entities and ideas that are considered
important in the religion, and an unwavering trust in the major
beliefs of that particular religion.
BELIEF SYSTEMS
† Are the stories we tell ourselves or ideas we hold that define our personal sense of reality.
† Every human being has belief system that he or she utilizes, and it is through this
mechanism that he or she makes sense of the world.
† Individuals perceive reality through the recognition of system of signs.
† These signs are objects or symbols that have meaning to a person because they are
considered significant by society.
- for example the mano is an important gesture that conveys respect to elders in
Philippine society. For Americans, since they are not aware of such actions and assign no
special meaning to it.
†Belief systems introduce a set of symbols that
define larger philosophical and spiritual ideas,
which also influence the way a person looks at his
or her life and society and the world in general.
†The symbols and ideas within a certain belief
system are consistent and mutually supportive.
WORLDVIEW
† Is similar to belief system.
† While belief systems attempt to explain larger issues of
philosophy, fundamental beliefs, and ways of doing things,
worldview tries to explain and interpret reality, history, and
civilization.
† Major worldviews that influence religious belief include
monism, polytheism, monotheism, and atheism.
MONISM
† Is a philosophical worldview in which all
reality can be reduced to one “thing” or
“essence.”
† This view believes that “all is one,” that
there are no fundamental divisions, and
that unified set of laws underlies all of
nature.
† Monism is used in a variety of contexts, particularly in
philosophical discussions on epistemology, ethics,
metaphysics, and philosophy of mind. The underlying
concept of the monistic worldview is always that “oneness”.
† In dealing with human nature and other aspects of reality,
monist deny any distinction between body and soul, matter
and spirit, object and subject, matter and force. They believe
that all aspects of reality are merged into a higher unity.
POLYTHEISM

† Refers to the belief in and adoration of several deities.

† Typically, each deity or god is distinguished by certain function,
and often has human characteristics.
† This is true for ancient Greeks and Romans, whose gods and
goddesses were both human in appearance and behavior.
† Polytheism in Egypt, however, has gods taking on
characteristics of objects found in nature such as trees,
plants, cattle, and animals. The ancient Egyptian gods
are often depicted as human-animal hybrids, alluding to
their various characteristics.
Hinduism is another major
polytheistic religion.
MONOTHEISM
• Is the faith in a single, all-
powerful god.
• Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam are the major
monotheistic religion.
ATHEISM
• Is the disbelief in gods or
supernatural.
• Atheist activist Madalyn Murray
O’Hair (1963) defines atheism as the
view that accepts reason and aims to
establish a lifestyle and ethical
outlook verifiable by experience and
scientific method.
† Atheism has varied subgroups and many atheists do not share the
same worldview or beliefs.
† Atheists do not have common belief system, sacred scripture, or
recognized authority. They only tie that binds atheist is their
disbelief in gods and supernatural beings.
THEOLOGY
† Refers to the study of religious faith, practice, and experience;
especially, the study of God and God’s relation to the world.
† Theological studies are done in rational, philosophical manner
and have given rise to specific schools of thought such as
progressive theology, liberation theology, feminist theology,
Black theology, African theology, and the like.
Religion
Substantive DEFINITION OF
RELIGION
†Religion involves beliefs and
practices that assume the
presence of supernatural
beings (Grace Davie 2007)
FRENCH SOCIOLOGIST EMILE
DURKHEIM 2001
Functional definition of religion
†Religion is a “unified system of
beliefs and practices relative to
sacred things, that is to say, things
set apart and forbidden – beliefs
and practices which unite into a
single moral community.”
FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF SOCIAL
SCIENCE

†Religion as “a system of
beliefs and practices by which
group of people interprets and
responds to what they feel
sacred and, usually,
supernatural as well”.
(Johnstone 2004)
RELIGION
† Is defined as relationship between humans and that which they regard as
holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of special reverence.
† It is also commonly regarded as consisting of the way people deal with
ultimate concerns about their lives and their fate after death.
† Religion is also seen as a set of beliefs and practices that relates to
metaphysical and transcendental issues.
† Religious beliefs are primarily formed within the context of particular
religion and provide a framework of connectedness to divine.
†Many religions have sacred texts and recognize certain
individuals as imbued with spiritual or moral authority.
- Christianity, for instance, regards the Bible as the
Devine Word of God, and priests as God’s
intermediaries in this world.
†Believers and worshippers participate in devotional or
contemplative practices such as prayer, meditation, and
certain rituals.
FIVE ELEMENTS OF RELIGION
1. Beliefs
2. Organizations
3. Emotions and Values
4. Rituals and Ceremonies
5. Sacred Objects and Spaces
GROUP ACTIVITY
Elements of Religion Manifestation
Belief

Organization

Emotions and Values

Ritual and Ceremonies

Sacred Objects and Spaces

BELIEF
†Religions combine elements of belief systems and
worldviews, as they not only seek to explain the
existence of all things, but also have scared
histories or narratives which are preserved in their
scriptures.
ORGANIZATION
† Every religion has its own structure and function, and every
individual member is expected to perform a certain role.
† Islam for example, is organized based on primary tenets of faith
known as Five Pillars of Islam.
† These outline the main obligations expected of faithful
Muslims, and they influence the actions and beliefs adherents.
†Hajj – the yearly pilgrimage that every Muslim is
expected to undertake at least once in their lives.
†Roman Catholic Church, recognizes the Pope as the
leader of the Church, and that he and the bishops of the
Church can make decisions regarding faith and morals
that must be followed by all faithful Catholics.
† Other indications of organization in a religion include
rituals, ceremonies, and practice of prayer and other
religious services.
EMOTIONS AND VALUES
†Religion evokes emotions such as hope, fear,
reverence, and humility.
†Religious belief also influences values, as religions
may ascribe certain meanings to particular actions,
behavior, and objects.
RITUAL AND CEREMONIES
† Most religious rituals mark major events in life such as birth, puberty,
marriage, and death.
† In Catholicism, baptism, confirmation, matrimony, and the anointing of the
sick are among the sacraments that mark major life events.
† For Muslims, they are required to pray five times from dawn until
nightfall.
† Rituals commemorate events that are significant to the faithful.
† Rituals and ceremonies foster a sense of community among believers and
emphasize the distinct identity of their religion.
Sacred Objects and spaces
† Sacred objects include idols, icons, and images that represent
divine beings; or relics, artifacts, and remains which are
associated with divine beings.
† Scriptures or text are also considered sacred objects, as these
contain the most important tenets that the faithful have to live
by.
† Many religions have written scriptures, though others pass on
their sacred texts by word of mouth.
†Sacred spaces are the locations of great
spiritual significance which are often used
for rituals, worship, or pilgrimages sites.
†Examples: churches, cathedrals, mosques,
temples, and shrines.
†Muslims consider the city of Mecca sacred,
and the faithful are encouraged to visit it at
least once in their lifetimes.
†Natural landmasses and other geographic
features can also be considered sacred spaces.
†For Hindus, the Ganges River has great
spiritual significance, and many believers
come to the river to offer prayers or conduct
rituals.
†In Shintoism, Mount Fuji is
considered a holy mountain.
For Christians, the Holy Land where Jesus
Christ once lived and conducted his ministry.
QUIZ!
1. Is generally defined as belief that is not
based on proof.

a.Belief
b.Faith
c.Belief System
d.Worldview
2. Refers to a conviction concerning particular
ideas.

a.Belief
b.Faith
c.Belief System
d.Worldview
3. This system introduces a set of symbols that define larger
philosophical and spiritual ideas, which also influence the
way a person looks at his or her life and society and the
world in general.
a. Belief
b. Faith
c. Belief System
d. Worldview
4. This view believes that all is one, that there are
no fundamental divisions, and that unified set of
laws underlies all of nature.
a. Monism
b. Polytheism
c. Atheism
d. Monotheism
5. Refers to the belief in and adoration of several
deities.

a. Monism
b. Polytheism
c. Atheism
d. Monotheism
6. Is the disbelief in gods or supernatural.

a. Monism
b.Polytheism
c. Atheism
d.Monotheism
7. Defined religion as “involves beliefs and practices
that assume the presence of supernatural beings”.

a. Grace Davie
b. Emile Durkheim
c. Karl Marx
d. None of the above
8. Religion as a system of beliefs and practices by
which group of people interprets and responds to what
they feel sacred and, usually, supernatural as well.

a. Grace Davie
b. Emile Durkheim
c. Karl Marx
d. None of the above
9. According to him, religion is a unified system of beliefs
and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things
set apart and forbidden – beliefs and practices which unite
into a single moral community.
a. Grace Davie
b. Emile Durkheim
c. Karl Marx
d. None of the above
10. Refers to the study of religious faith,
practice, and experience especially the
study of God and God’s relation to the
world.
HOW WORLD RELIGIONS
BEGAN
THE EARLIEST EVIDENCE OF RELIGION IN
EARLY HUMAN SOCIETY

Gobekli Tepe site in Turkey

The oldest temple in world
DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
MESOPOTAMIA
† The oldest Mesopotamian cities were founded around 3000 BCE by the
Sumerians.
† Around 2370 BCE, the Sumerian city-states were dominated by Akkadian,
Babylonian, and Assyrian Empires.
† The Sumerian culture was characterized by the existence of cuneiform, a
system of writing on clay tablets; the veneration of gods based on natural
forces; belief in semi-divine monarchs; and systematized form of
government.
† Mesopotamian religion was not only polytheistic, but also
henotheistic, meaning certain gods were viewed as superior to
others.
† In later periods, Mesopotamians began ranking the deities in their
order of importance.
† Some gods had human forms, requiring food and drink.
† According to Jean Bottero, gods were not viewed mystically.
They were rather seen as high masters who were to be obeyed
and feared.
EGYPT
† Irrigated by the Nile river and sheltered by deserts as well as the sea, Egyptian
civilization remained more protected and peaceful than that of Mesopotamia.
† Emerged as a cohesive and thriving empire around 2700 BCE
† Pharaohs governed the lives and wealth of the populace and were considered gods
by their subjects.
† The history of Egypt is divided into three main periods:
† Old Kingdom (2700 BCE-2200BCE)
† Middle Kingdom (2052-1786BCE)
† New Kingdom (1575-1087BCE)
Indus Valley civilization

† 2300BCE, approximately seventy Indus cities had developed a

sophisticated urban culture, the major cities being Harappa and
Mohenjo-Daro.
† Indus People
† Flourished the Indus River living in brick houses and well-planned
villages, were successful agriculturists cultivating cotton, raised
buffalo, goats, dogs, pigs and sheep.
† Governed by a stable, well-organized government led by a ruling class
who had much concern for cleanliness, order and stability.
† Their culture placed much emphasis on personal hygiene and
ritual cleanliness.
† Each house had bathing rooms with drains.
INDUS PEOPLE CONT….
† There were also several public bathing areas in every town.
† Artifacts such as seals and figurines show that revered certain sacred
animals.
† Bull for example, was believed to be a symbol of virility and sexual
power.
† Around 1800 BCE, Indus civilization began to decline and this led to
the emergence of vedic culture which extended over the entire
subcontinent and set advancement for Hindu culture.
CHINA
† (Shang Dynasty 1766-1050 BCE) - Established the first recognized
Bronze Age civilization along the Yellow River basin in China
† Their successors, the Zhou (1050-256 BCE), reigned from the city states
as combatant aristocrats who battled foreigners and each other.
† Around 4th century BCE, leaders desired superior defense forces to
protect their states, so they taught civil servants to oversee the
population. The outcome was the establishment of alliances among
various minor states to form a number of large territorial units.
CHINA
† As the organization of Chinese society became more sophisticated,
people’s belief systems also further developed and became more
complex and organized.
† During the Eastern Zhou Period in the 16 th Century BCE, China
experienced political turmoil and Civil War.
† This period was also significant for Chinese philosophy with the
emergence of figures such as Confucius and Lao Tzu, the founders
of Confucianism and Taoism
Belief. The goal of Taoism is to have a balanced
Taoism emphasizes belief in life; that of Confucianism is to create
nature and dealing with life
harmony in the society.
in a natural manner,
Confucianism is based on
human conduct as opposed to
religion and belief in God.

Taoism holds women as respected members of

society; Confucianism takes women to be
inferior to men.

Taoism focuses majorly on nature; Confucianism is focused on

improving society.
THE AMERICAS
† Its prominent societies arose in areas that had robust agriculture. In the region
of Mesoamerica, ancient societies cultivated Maize or Corn.
† Andes Valleys – contributed a mixture of agriculture and the rich marine
resources from the Pacific.
† In 1500 BCE- the Olmecs founded the first civilization in Mesoamerica.
† Around 2750 BCE, the first colossal structural designs appeared in the Andes
Region.
THE DISTRIBUTION AND SPREAD OF
RELIGIONS

• Park (2004) – distinguishes between two types of Religions based on

geographic distribution.
• Universal Religions – those that are widely distributed, and whose goal is to convert
people. Believers are encouraged to share their beliefs with non-believers. Universal
religions engage in missionary activities and admit new members through symbolic
acts of commitment.
• Ethnic Religions – confined to particular countries or regions.
• For example – Hinduism is prominent religion in India, Confucianism and Taoism are largely
confined to China, and Shintoism is concentrated in Japan. The spread of ethnic religions do not
actively seek converters.
THE DISTRIBUTION AND SPREAD OF
RELIGIONS: PHILIPPINES

† Christianity has undergone transformative changes unique to the Filipino

people; many of these changes reflect precolonial belief systems.
† Common practices in the country:
† Fiesta – celebration in veneration of a town’s Catholic patron saint and devotion
to the numerous titles of the virgin Mary.
† This represents the Christian belief with polytheistic and animistic belief systems
in precolonial Philippines.
RELIGION, CULTURE AND SOCIETY
CULTURE
• According to De Leon ( 2012), is a system of vital ideas that contain, energize and direct
virtually every aspect of social life and a person’s relationship with the world.
• It touches everything from the humanities to the sciences, from religion to technology.
• It is the matrix from which values, attitudes, motivations and skills emerge.

• Unesco – defines culture as “the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material,

intellectual and emotional features that characterize a society or social group.
• It includes not only the arts and letters but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human
being, value systems, traditions and beliefs”.
RELIGION
† Can serve not only as an identifying feature, but a binding agent for units of
society, from small units like the family to larger ones such as a nation.
† It gives transcendental meaning and purpose to individuals, and defines their
life goals.
† It also provides a code of conduct which defines behavior and morals.
† Examples are the Ten commandments.
† All religions have values that guide behavior and sustain the family, home, society,
nation and the world.
SOCIETY
† Due to the fluidity of culture, religion can also permeate other facets of the
society- even those not generally associate with religion.
† It is evident in how celebrations, holidays, architecture, language, arts,
music and literature in the Philippines, for example are steeped in religious
influences.
† Many of the country’s recognized holidays are in celebration of religious
events, such as the Christmas season, Holy Week, and Eid al-Fitr.
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF
RELIGION
• Psychological Benefits
• Religious beliefs allows people to better cope with adverse life events.

• Personal Benefits
• Social/Communal Benefits
• Literature
• Dante’s Divine Comedy, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

• Music
• Halal vs Haram Music

• and the Arts

• The Last Supper, Manunggul Jar, etc
Coral and Kupang, 2017
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF RELIGION

• Violence, Human Rights Violations, and other Abuses

of Power
• Women’s Rights and Gender Issues
• Conflict Between Religion and Science
RELIGION
Positive •Promotes Social Solidarity
effects
Negative •Affirms Social Hierarchy
Effects
Positive •Provides Moral Values
effects
Negative •Triggers Conflicts and Fights
Effects
Positive •Explain the Unknown
effects
Negative •Causes discrimination
Effects
Positive •Gives Positive Goal in Life
effects
Negative •Impedes Scientific Success and
Development
Effects
Positive •Gives people a Sense of Belonging
effects
Negative •Obstructs the Use of reason
Effects
Positive •Provides Social Change
effects
Negative •Serves as an Economic tool for
Controlling the Masses
Effects
ACTIVITY.
Find a partner and read and reflect upon the message
conveyed by the following poem.
Create a painting which will express the message of
the piece.
Paint in a ¼ illustration board.
Pass it next meeting.
THE WHOLE WORLD IS ONE NEST
We are the birds of the same nest: Breathing the same air,
We may have different skins, We must learn to happily progress
We may speak in different tongue, Together or miserably
We may believe in different religions, Perish together.
We may belong to different cultures, Man can live individually,
Yet we share the same home – our Earth, But can only survive collectively.
Born on the same planet, - (Adapted from Hinduism – Upanishads)
Covered by the same skies,
Gazing at the same stars,
RUBRIC
RUBRIC FOR PAINTING

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS

Organization The concept was clearly and creatively 40

conveyed.
Content The painting is appropriate to the 30
theme.
Visual The idea was clearly presented based 30
Presentation on the painting.

Total 100 points

THANK YOU!