Week 1-Introduction to World Religion and Belief System PDF

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GRADE 11

Center for Development, Training and Competency Assessment Inc. 0030 Zapote St. PHHC Area-D Camarin Caloocan City

Self-Learning Module

Worldviews, Belief Systems and Religion Week no: 1

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HOW TO USE THE MODULE? As you start studying the module, I want you to set aside other task/s that may disturb you while enjoying the lessons. Read the instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of the module. Don’t forget to answer Pre-test before moving on to the other activities included in the module. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers. Analyze conceptually the Assessment and apply what you have learned. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next. Enjoy studying! Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

Most Essential Learning Competency

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differentiate the concept, elements and characteristics of belief system and world view, religion, and spirituality.

Expectations

At the end of this module, the student will be able to: a. understand the dynamics of the different elements and characteristics of the belief systems, world view and religion; b. distinguish the characteristics of religions, spirituality and theology and; c. apply these belief in your interaction with your fellowmen, the world, nature and God.

L ESSON 1

WORLDVIEW, BELIEF SYSTEMS AND RELIGIONS

World View and Belief Systems Since childbirth there are rules or traditions that are imposed to you by your parents and society where you belong. “Do this because this is right.” “Be good to others!” “Huwag kang gumawa ng masama kung ayaw mong ma-karma“. These are simple reminders of our parents. When you are brought to the school for your education, same values or beliefs are being strengthened. In some period in your life you became a member of a religious organization or perhaps by tradition. The beliefs and values that you learned from your parents and school are reinforced by the teachings of that specific religion. All that you have learned from your parents, school, religious affiliation and other influences became your belief system and your worldview. Often times you are not conscious of your own worldview unless it is challenged or dared by other belief system. A very simple definition of a “worldview” is given by Matt Slick. According to him a worldview is a set of beliefs

used to understand the world. Everyone has a set of principles by which to judge right and wrong and which guides them in everyday living. The basic way of interpreting things and events that pervades a culture so thoroughly that it becomes a culture’s concept of reality-what is good, what is important, what is sacred, what is real. Page 2

Belief systems are the stories we tell ourselves to define our personal sense of ‘reality’ (the way things actually exist). Every human being has a belief system that he/she utilizes and it is through this mechanism that we individually “make sense” of the world around us.” It could be a set of beliefs or a philosophy of life. Belief system shapes your worldview about the world, your existence, and relationships with your fellowmen. In other words, “ a worldview whether religious or nonreligious, is a personal insight about reality and meaning, often termed a “life understanding” which I may call a product of belief systems. Most often worldviews are shaped by religions. Inside the box are worldviews about man’s perspective of God. (Serapio,2016).

1. Naturalism (e.g. Atheism, Agnosticism, Existentialism). It denies the existence of God. The material universe is all that exist. 2. Pantheism (e.g. Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism; much New Age Consciousness. They believe that only the spiritual dimension exists. All else is illusion. Man is spiritual and eternal. 3. Theism (e.g. Judaism, Christianity, Islam). It means that God or gods created the Universe and continued to actively participate of the world’s activities and in human history. 4. Spiritism: The world is inhabited by spirit beings who govern earthly activities. Man is created by gods like the rest of the creatures on earth. Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them. 5. Polytheism: This is the belief in many gods or deities. The culture of Ancient Greeks and Romans depict this kind of beliefs.

Worldviews are not all about God, but these are also about our views about reality, man, truth and values. There are also economic, political and social worldviews. Worldviews and belief systems are necessary for religions in order to protect and spread their own particular belief as a way of “keeping the faith” through generations.     

Catholic Christians keep in their hearts the “Apostles’ Creed” The Muslims practice “the five pillars of Islam”, The Shinto reveres the dead ancestors or “Kami”, the Confucians hold dearly the necessity of past traditions, and The Taoists embrace the importance of being close to nature.

Your beliefs shape your worldviews but your beliefs and worldviews are oftentimes shaped by religion. There is a complex interplay between religion, belief and worldview. Religions have different elements and characteristics which are non-negotiable. Members should follow or undergo the process to become genuine believers.

The Characteristics of Elements Religions 1. Belief in supernatural powers  The power which is beyond human powers. The human sufferings enable human being to seek God’s help for their problems. 2. Belief in the holy or sacred

 This is the heart of every religion. Every religion has sacred books or texts. For example, Scriptures and the Bible are sacred for the Jews and so with the Christians, Qur’an for Muslims and Tripitaka for Buddhists and Vedas for Hindus. But something sacred is not just books but also places, symbols, animals, rocks and many more. Hindus for example believes that cows are sacred because of their beliefs in reincarnation. 3. Systems of rituals

 These are the different ways each religions expresses their faith. Catholic Christians have the seven sacraments which include ceremonies and rituals. For example, Baptism. A child must be baptized at an early

age in the church with the presence of parents, God parents, priest as celebrator and the community that supports the child. The most important symbol of baptism is water. It symbolizes cleansing from sin. The child also has to wear white dress to symbolize purity. Page 3

4. Sinful acts  Usually a violation of the laws established by God which each member has to follow. For example the Ten Commandments for Judaism and Christians and the Five Pillars of Islam which when violated the believer commit a grievous sin. 5. The Method of salvation  The belief in the afterlife or the idea of heaven and hell. If you are a good believer you will go to heaven but if not, you will go to hell. Islam went further by believing that if one’s life is sacrificed against the enemies of Islam, their soul goes straight to heaven. 6. Mode of worship  Each religion has different expressions of worship which include praying, kneeling, dancing, singing to name a few. 7. Liturgy and Ideology

 Liturgy is described as public worship. It is a gathering of believers with ceremonies such as wedding ceremonies, worship services or bible studies. 8. Place of worship  Each religion has holy places which they believe God is present such as churches, temples, mosques and other sacred places. The elements or characteristics of religions mentioned above are necessary for a particular religion to perpetuate their worldviews and belief systems.

L ESSON 2

Religion, Spirituality and Theology

Religion and Spirituality When you become a member of a religious organization, you normally sacrificed your personal worldview in favor of the religious world view or set of beliefs offered by that organization. Religion invites a person into a spiritual relationship with some divine entity. This spiritual relationship stemmed from the belief that there is a life after this world which is more important than physical life. Hence it is the role of religion to invite all persons to believe in God for them to be saved from this world. Religion etymologically is defined as coming from the Latin world, “religare” or which means “to bind” or “to tie. “However, Oxford English Dictionary points out though that the etymology of the word is doubtful. Early writers like Cicero connected the term with “relegere” which means “to read all over again.” Some persons even gave a negative definition of religion like Karl Marx, the founder of Communism. He said the religion is the opium of the people. It means we become so dependent with God that we rely everything to him and we undermine our capabilities as human beings. Popular view holds that you should become a member of a religious organization to cultivate your spiritual life. Their views lead to the misunderstanding between Religion and Spirituality. The question is: Is religion the same as spirituality? Can you become a spiritual person without being a member of a religious organization? The table below shows the difference between religious and being spiritual?

Religion

Spirituality

Religion makes us vow

Spirituality sets us free

Religion shows us fear

Spirituality shows courage

Religion tells us the truth

Spirituality allows us to discover the truth

R li i

t

f

th

li i

Religion makes us dependent

S i it

lit

it

th

Spirituality makes us independent Page 4...