The impact of belief systems

When we believe in something, or in a person, this means that we place

our trust or confidence on that person. Believing in something makes us accept
that it is actually true.

The belief system of a person or society is the set of mutually supportive

beliefs that people have about what is right and wrong and what is true and false
(https://www.collinsdictionary.com/May 30, 2017). A belief system is formed from
the support of thinking individuals about a thing or idea. Persons sharing similar
ideas will have similar values. Due to the persons’ similar beliefs, similar
behaviors, habits and ideologies evolve – such as health habits, belief in god,
belief in democracy, belief in communism, and the like.

A belief system is an ideology or set of principles that helps interpret

everyday reality. This could be in the form of religion, political affiliation,
philosophy, or spirituality, among many other things. These beliefs are shaped
and influenced by a number of different factors. Knowledge on a certain topic, the
way one grew up, and even peer pressure can help to create and even change
people’s belief systems. The convictions that come from these systems make
sense of the world around and to define individual roles within it
(study.com/academy/lesson/belief-systems, April 12, 2017).

Religious belief systems are commonly associated with religions. A

religious belief system is usually structured around a moral code, the belief of
one or more deities, and the ability for supernatural occurrences to affect us and
the universe that we exist in. A spiritual belief system is closely related to this, but
it is not as structured. Some choose to believe in an after-life and follow a moral
code of conduct but do not affiliate with a particular church or denomination.
Since it affects the way a person views the world and defines how they treat
others, it still counts as a belief system.
(http://www.freegrab.net/beliefsystems.htm , May 30,2017).

1
 Hinduism contends that all actions are subject to karma otherwise known
as the law of retribution. Simply put, it is the mechanism that takes care of all
returns for the kind of action given out. If one does well, he or she will be
rewarded; for bad things done, he will be punished. All seeming injustices
experienced in the present lifetime can be explained through one’s actions in the
past. There is nobody to blame but oneself (Articulo,2008).

Buddhism has five precepts considered as basic ethical guidelines for its
followers. They are undertaken voluntarily, rather than as commandments from
a god. Essentially, these precepts promote harmony and reduce suffering
between themselves and others. The underpinning moral code has two qualities:
compassion (karuna) and loving kindness (metta), which are used as the guiding
principles in life. The 5 precepts are to refrain: from destroying living creatures,
from taking that which is not given, from sexual misconduct, from incorrect
speech and from intoxicants (http://www.sapphyr.net/buddhist/buddhist-
core.htm).

Islam is a religious system begun in the seventh century by Muhammad.

Muhammad claimed the angel Gabriel visited him. During these angelic
visitations, which continued for about 23 years until Muhammad's death, the
angel purportedly revealed to Muhammad the words of Allah (the Arabic word for
“God” used by Muslims). These dictated revelations compose the Qur'an, Islam's
holy book. Islam means “submission,” deriving from a root word that means
“peace.” The word Muslim means “one who submits to Allah.” Muslims follow the
teachings of the Qur’an - Islam’s holy book. These are some vices which the
believers of Islam should avoid:

1. any type of violence which pains the heart

2. conceit, arrogance and self-centeredness.
3. envy and jealousy.
4. Lying, treachery, unlawful relations between men and women, oppression,
cruelty to fellow beings, abusing and ridiculing others, lewdness, hot
temper

2
 5. power-mongering, slandering, love for wealth, quarreling and squabbling
with others, being irresponsible and indifferent, being suspicious, to be in
haste and racial fanaticism (http://www.imamreza.net,June 2, 2017).

Christianity is a religion based upon the teachings and miracles of Jesus .

In Christianity, image means the likeness of God's character. Because we are
made in the image of God, every person is worthy of respect and honor
(https://carm.org/what-is-christianity). The Doctrine of Love is given to us in The
Word of God and teaches unselfish love. Jesus came to teach us how to love
unselfishly, so we could have the Love of God in us. If one acquires all earthly
knowledge and know all scientific facts, but never learn to love unselfishly, then
one’s life has been in vain. From Genesis to Revelation, it progressively teaches
us lesson after lesson, the final goal of how to Love, as Jesus loved us. Heaven
is for those who love sincerely – unselfishly. Loving unselfishly is the eternal
commandment of God. In John 13:34 it says : A new commandment I give unto
you, that ye Love one another, as I have loved you
(www.jesusone.com/truths/doctrineoflove.htm).

The ten commandments given by God in the Old Testament continue

to be God’s expectations of Christians today. Christ consistently upheld the ten
commandments as given in the Old Testament. In His Sermon on the Mount
Jesus states: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law of the Prophets. I did
not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17)
(https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/the-ten-
commandments/10-commandments-new-testament/).

Read more.

Articulo, Archimides. A Way of Life based on Religiously- Inspired Moral Code.

Rex Bookstore. 2008.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com.
http://www.freegrab.net/beliefsystems.htm
http://www.imamreza.net
http://www.sapphyr.net/buddhist/buddhist-core.htm

3
https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/the-ten-
commandments/10-commandments-new-testament
study.com/academy/lesson/belief-systems
www.jesusone.com/truths/doctrineoflove.htm

The Filipino value system

In his book Sariling Wika at Pilosopiyang Filipino, Florentino Timbreza (2008)
mentioned some mental frameworks of the Filipinos. By presenting them below,
readers are asked to reflect on how they will affect the practice of business in the
country. Timbreza (2008) calls them “hugis pag-iisip ng mga Filipino” and
here are two of them.

1. Kaisipang kasi or kasi mentality. A Filipino normally has a reason for

his shortcoming (Laging mayroon siyang idininadahilan bilang pantakip sa
kanyang pagkukulang.)
2. Kaisipang tao lamang. The thinking presupposes that it is but natural for
people to commit mistakes. This thinking even leads to self-destruction. A
Pinoy may say “Nasilaw s’ya sa pera. Unawain mo’t s’yay tao na
nagkakamali”.

Timbreza noted that if the “kaisipang kasi” will be used to pass the buck,
“kaisipang ganyan ang buhay” for resignation or complacency, “kaisipang tayo’y
tao lamang as a license to do wrong, “kaisipang pasensya na” to cover up an
anomaly and “kaisipang okey lang” to settle with what one has and not
persevere for something better, then these would lead to nothing good. Human
freedom to decide can either be good or evil. It is good when used to obtain more
freedom; it is a curse when used for self-destruction. As the old saying goes
“walang ibang sumisira sa bakal kundi ang sariling kalawang.”

Further, Timbreza(2008) expounds on some negative behavior of the

Filipinos. These he calls “negatibong pag-uugali ng mag Pilipino”. These are:

4
 1. Mapanlamang – tending to be unfair or taking advantage of someone
else
2. Palakasan – It is not what you can do, but rather who you know. This is
sometimes known as the “padrino” system.
3. Madaya – deceitful
4. Pikon – cannot accept defeat
5. Pandesal – The first day a baker sells pandesal, it’s big. Later, it becomes
smaller and smaller.
6. Pagbibinbin or procrastination – When there is time still, he does not
work on something. When the deadline comes, he is in a hurry to get
things done. This is also known as mañana habit. Filipinos would point out
to a future time but such future time is indefinite. In Filipino, it is known as
mamaya na.
7. Basura - He throws his trash anywhere; no sense of community
8. Mansusuhol or bribery
9. Mapagtakip - tendency to cover up something as a form of protecting
somebody else even knowing that one has done something wrong.

The Filipinos are known for close family ties. We believe we must take care
of our families. Filial piety is a family value that places reverence and respect to
parents. Of course, there is nothing wrong about being concerned with one’s
family. However, this so much love and care for the family can sometimes end up
in the practice of nepotism or undue preferential treatment of next of kin.

Utang na loob is an act of reciprocating a debt of gratitude to others. As we

have been taught, it is noble not to forget the good things others have done for
us. In some instances however, we feel strongly bound by such debt of gratitude
to others and that leads us to partial decisions in favor of those whom we are
indebted to. One of the most common business practices in the country is the
suki system – the practice of regularly buying from someone who promises to
give more value in exchange for the patronage. According to Jean Patrick
Philippe Scheib (https://www.die-mediation.de/wp-content/uploads/Suki.System)

5
“at the heart of the suki system lies a Filipino social norm (or value) called ‘utang
na loob’” – because in the suki system, the norm of reciprocity is present.
Sometimes, if there are “better buys” in another seller, we keep on patronizing
our suki for the sake of utang na loob.

Amor propio means self-love. The Filipino has a deep sense of self-esteem
or self- respect. He is sensitive to personal insult. Definitively, it is not good to be
“walang hiya”. The problem however, is sometimes we tend not to confront and
deal with issues directly either because we don’t want to put somebody in shame
or we ourselves are ashamed to discuss the matter with the concerned.

Bahala na is meant to put everything into God’s hands, coming from the old
word “Bathala” which means God. We believe in God’s power and his ability to
grant us what we are praying for. However, if we use the bahala na value system
in the context of not exerting effort anymore to obtain what we are asking for,
then it becomes questionable. As the old saying goes: “nasa Diyos ang awa,
nasa tao ang gawa”.

Read more:

Timbreza, Florentino. Sariling Wika at Pilosopiyang Filipino, C & E Publishing.

2008

http://contemporaryfamilylife-pnu.weebly.com/filipino-values-system.html. Norilyn
Ann D. Capule

https://www.die-mediation.de/wp-content/uploads/Suki.System