Grade 12

Introduction to World Religions and

Belief System
Module 2: How World’s Great Religion Began

1st Semester, S.Y. 2020-2021

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What I need to know

Module 2: How World’s Great Religion Began

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Lesson 1. Basic Concepts on the origin of religion, on its implication with
geography and culture
Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the student shoul be able to:
1. 1 Analyze the interconnectedness of geography, culture and religions
2. Explain how geography influences religion and how religion affects culture
3. Cite regions or places where specific religions evolved

What is It

The World’s great religions can be classified according to their places of origin.
This refers to the geographical location from which these major religions were founded.
People’s socio-cultural orientations in such place evidently influenced these religions
and vice-versa. The nine major religions of the world to be discussed in this module
are classified into three: 1. Abrahamic (religions originate in the Near East) 2. Vedic
(Religions influenced by the Indian culture) and lastly East Asian religions founded in
East Asia and were strongly influenced by Asian culture.
Basic Concept on the Origin of religion
There are three basic concepts on the origin of religion. First is Animism,
second is Ancestor worship; and third ids through Revelation.
Anthropologist Edward Tylor argued that Religion had its origin in belief in
immaterial souls that might inhabit objects like stone, tress, animals or human
bodies, but which also could exist independently from them. He coined the word
‘animism “from the Greek word anima mean soul. From this view religion is equated to
animism which can be traced from ancient tradition and practices. In some degree
Filipinos do share this early form of religion in fact historical evidence show that
Filipinos believe in “ Anitos ” spirit that dwell in natural objects that need to please in
order to live in harmony with them and with the environment.
Second Theory advance by Herbert Spencer, claim that origin of religion lies in
the respect given to the ancestor and combined with the belief in ghost cause by
dream experiences. Associated with the fear of forces of nature that usually equated
with the super natural beings. Acknowledgment of the existence of Spirit/Ghost and
supernatural beings support the formation of certain belief systems and religion.
The third concept on the origin of religion is through revelation, based on this
concept it all started from the primitive Divine revelation. This means that religion is
conceived from the assumption that in the beginning, there is a God who revealed his
being to man in different manners, the essential truths of religion such as the
existence of God , the obligation to obey him an the hope of immortality.
Origin of Major Religions
The Table below shows the approximate date when each of the nine major world
religions began, along with the traditional dates for the birth and the death of each
founder (if applicable). Place of origin is also indicated for each religion. (C.E –
Common Era, A.D. Anno Domino or year of the Lord B.C.E – Before Common Era, BC,
Before Christ).
Pathways of Devotion: An Introduction to World Great Religions

Date Near East India East Asia

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 1,000 + B.C.E. Judaism Hinduism
Moses: 1500 -1350 2,000 B.C.E.
B.C.E.
600 B.C.E. Buddhism Taoism
Buddha: 563 – 483 Lau Tzu: 380-500
B.C.E. B.C.E.
Confucianism
Confucius: 551-
479 B.C.E.
100 C.E. Christianity Shinto
Jesus: 1-33 C.E. 100 C.E.
600 C.E. Islam
Muhammad: 570-
632 C.E.
Source: www.sacred-texts.com/time/origtime.html
The Near East
The history of the Near East begins with the rise of Sumer in the 4 th millennium
B.C. The term covers the Bronze Age and the Iron Age in the region until either the
conquest by the Persian Empire in the 6 th century B.C. or that by Alexander the Great
in the 4th century B.C.
The ancient Near East is considered one of the cradles of civilization. It was here
that intensive year-round agriculture was first practiced leading to the rise of first
urban settlements and the development of many familiar institutions of civilization;
such as social stratification, centralized government and empires, organized religion
and organized warfare. It also saw the creation of first writing system (the cuneiform)
and law codes, early advances that laid the foundation of astronomy and
mathematics. One very significant development during this age is the invention of the
wheel.
The ancient Near East was home of early civilizations within a region roughly
corresponding to the modern Middle East.
Significantly, most of these lands comprising the Ancient Near East were among
the so-called Bible Lands of the Old Testament – the lands mentioned in the Bible
being part of its rich history, including the different races of people with different
beliefs and varied culture, living in these places during those times.
East Asia
East Asia is the Eastern sub-region of the Asian continent, which can be defined
in either geographical or ethno-cultural terms. Geographically and geopolitically, it
includes China, Hong Kong, and Macao; Mongolia and Taiwan; North and South
Korea; and Japan. It covers about 12 million square kilometers, or about 28% of the
Asian continent, about twice the area of Europe.
One of the fifth of all people of the world lives in East Asia. This is approximately
38% of the total population of Asia. Major religions include Buddhism, Confucianism,
Taoism, and some of the indigenous populations embrace Shamanism.
The culture of East Asia has been influenced by the civilization of China. East
Asia, as well as Vietnam, shared a Confucian ethical philosophy, Buddhism, political
and legal structures, and historically, a common writing system. The relationship
between China and East Asia has been compared to the historical influence of Greco-
Roman civilization on Europe.
India
India’s astounding diversity of religions languages and culture are unique and
unparalleled. The society of vast continent, varied and complex in its rich heritage is
among the oldest in the world. Five thousand years of history have nourished the
growth of a great civilization. It has been vitalized through cross-cultural contact and

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characterized by unity in diversity of culture and race, caste, religion and language.
India has six major religions (Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, and
Zoroastrianism); two major language families (Aryan and Dravidian); with official
languages and innumerable dialects and tribal languages; three racial strands (Aryan,
Dravidian and proto-Australoid); and over 4,000 castes.
The great Indian tradition unites the diverse cultural regions, but, equally
condones the existence of different sects and local traditions. Perhaps, by more than
anything else, traditional India has been characterized by location, a fragmentation
not simply of cultural-linguistic regions but of villages themselves. It is a known fact
that over 600,000 Indian villages functioned as autonomous republic through
centuries.
How Does Geography Influence Religion?
Civilizations typically develop in and around river system where easy access to
water and irrigation systems become possible, which allows them to grow crops and
move from the hunter gatherer lifestyle to farmers. As a result, the famous River
Ganges, Indus Valley, the Nile and Amazon Rivers became places where different types
of people have developed over time. Variations in culture create different religious
inclinations which incorporate therein environments into the rituals, mythologies and
iconography.
Mountains became focal points for certain religions as people scaled there
heights which gave them a higher and wider view of the surrounding lands. The ascent
to certain peaks became a symbol for the way people in those days perceived reality.
People look towards nature as giving them a purpose and meaning to life.
Because the physical geography of the land determined how and when people would
live on certain places due to accessibility, resources and climate, it would seem
reasonable to conclude that these people would regard these aspects of nature as
having God-like immortality. But because anthropomorphism ruled the day, these
places became the home of the Gods, rather than the earliest deities that preceded
them during the times of paganism.
In conclusion, the physical geography of a place affects the formation of the belief
system and religious behavior of people living in such place.

Relationship between Religion and Culture

Some culture identified themselves by their religion. All common events in
cultures like home, farming, relationships, marriage, birth, and death are influenced
by their religious beliefs. Religion is the epicenter that binds culture altogether. Often,
these events have religious significance.
Religion gives transcendental meaning and purpose, and often, a goal to aspire for
when life is complete. Central to the very purpose of religion is the attainment of goal
in life. This paves the way as social structures that bind religion and men. The word
“religion” comes from the Latin “religare” which means to bind.
Religion often gives codes of behavior for society and culture, such as “The Ten
Commandments”. All religions have values. Values are guides to behavior such as “do
good; avoid wrong doings”. All religions have the Five Basic Human Values such as:
Truth, Right, Love, Peace, and Non-violence at their core. These are the values which
sustain the very core of family, home, society, nation and the world. In conclusion,
religious practices are shaped by the culture around them.

Assessment

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Answer the following questions: 150 words each
1. Enumerate the different regions where the major world religions evolved.
2. Give your analysis about the relationship of religion and culture. Give emphasis
on to how they affect each other.
3. Describe how the geography of a particular place influences religion.
4. Enumerate and list down, anything inside your house and whatever practices
you have observed on how a particular religion influences a certain culture.