Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V – Bicol
Schools Division of Legazpi City
Homapon High School
Homapon, Legazpi City

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET IN INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS

AND BELIEFS
Worksheet No. 1, Quarter 3
Learner’s Name: _____________________________________________________
Year and Strand: ___________________________ Date: _________________

1. LEARNING SKILLS
A. Most Essential Learning Competency:

Differentiate the concept, elements and characteristics of belief

system, worldview, religion, and spirituality.
DEFINITION OF TERMS USED:
Religion - is a set of beliefs and practices that is often focused on one or more
deities or gods

Spirituality - involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is

something greater than the self, 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)

Worldview - is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by
people.

Theology - is the study of religious faith, practice, and experience especially the
study of God and of God's relation to the world.

2. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT
INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE, AND RELIGION

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. Religious beliefs and practices have played an important part in
endorsing such family roles and the duties associated with them.
 Kinds of Belief System Description
Monism There is no real distinction between god and the
universe
Monotheism The doctrine/belief in one supreme god
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).

Definitions and views about Religion

a. Religion is 3 things: a belief system, a ritual worship system, and a moral
system of social relationships. This is a substantive definition of religion.
Modern people think first of belief, but the social sciences argue that ritual and
social relations are the central aspects of religion. - Joachim Wach
b. "Religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things
which unite into one single moral community called a church, all those who
adhere to them." This is a functional definition, focused on the moral unification
function of religion. - Émile Durkheim
c. "Religion is a set of symbolic forms and acts which relate man to the ultimate
conditions of his existence, i.e., death, meaninglessness, egocentrism, and
emotional needs which are not rational." Emotional needs of individuals are the
focus of this individualistic, functional definition. - Robert Bellah
d. “Religion is a collective neurosis.” - Sigmund Freud
e. “Religion is the opium of the masses.” - Karl Marx

Ritual is the means by which religion is publicly embodied. Ritual involves:

1. social organization of the religious community
2. the functions of types of religious personnel set apart for various religious
duties
3. the modes of behavior by which adherents approach the sacred dimension
4. the devices used to guarantee proper group and individual conduct

Ritual acts are often themselves regarded as sacred, or at least as necessary steps
to the goal of salvation. This leads to a consideration of:
1. the place of symbols in the religion
2. characteristic gestures, forms of speech, and movement
3. the effects of religious belief on art and architecture

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.

Approximate Approximate
Faith/Religion Place of Origin
founding date number of followers
Hinduism c. 2000 BCE Northern India 1.161 billion
Judaism c. 2000 BCE Middle East 15.6 million
Buddhism c. 500 BCE Northern India 586 million
Confucianism c. 500 BCE Northern China 394 million
Daoism (Taoism) c. 550 BCE Northern China 3 million
Christianity c. 100 CE Middle East 2.382 billion
Islam c. 622 CE Middle East 1.907 billion
*2020 Adherent data

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION

These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably that which means
that one may also refer to the other. Historically, from the perspective of the soul,
there have been two foundational routes to discover these truths: religion and
spirituality. Although they have many similarities and there is a relationship
between the two, there are differences between religion and spirituality.

SPIRITUALITY
By definition: Spirituality connotes an
experience of connection to something
larger than the self; living everyday life
in a reverent and sacred manner. It is
the aspect of humanity that seeking
the way individuals express meaning
and purpose and the way they
experience.
By origin: Spirituality is more often
based upon the practical application
of the founder’s teachings.
Spirituality: Spirituality doesn’t
dismiss faith; however, it often leans
RELIGION
By definition: Religion is a personal set
or institutionalized system of religious
attitudes, beliefs, and practices; the
service and worship of God or the
supernatural.
By origin: Religions are most often
based upon the lives, teachings, and
beliefs of a historical or archetypal
figure
Religion: At its core, religion is about
faith. That is to say, belief in
more heavily on direct experience of
the soul or divinity.
Belief that the divine is within us
Personal belief or values system
God is inside the heart
Spiritual laws-based
Heaven is a state of mind
something based upon unconditional
acceptance of the religion’s teachings.
Belief in a superhuman power
outside of you, the creator of the
universe.
Dictated belief or conditioned
mind
God is inside the mind
Faith-based
Heaven is a place you go when
you die

CHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION

Most scholars agree that every religion has the same three basic elements:

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
a. 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.
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.
3. ACTIVITIES
Activity 1 Multiple Choice
Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. What Religion is NOT:
A. Whatever a community believes in.
B. That which unites people into one single moral community.
C. The sense of being bound by obligations to God and community
D. The idea that one must adhere to the Supreme Being
2. Which of the following best describes a belief system?
A. The religious beliefs that a person has
B. The political party that one associates with.
C. Certain principles that help us define our role and the world around us.
D. Ideas about human behavior and the after-life.
3. Which of the following is a true statement about belief systems?
A. Belief systems do not change.
B. Belief systems are solely created by how a person was raised.
C. Belief systems are always good.
D. Belief systems can change and evolve over time.
4. Studying religion is important since it establishes the link of man towards _____.
A. the natural world. C. the Divine.
B. human destiny. D. the self.
5. What is the element of Religion which centers on the teachings or doctrines as
shown in actions and services.
A. Sacredness B. Rituals C. Ethics D. Belief System

Activity 2: Make a Difference!

Instructions: Differentiate Religious from Spiritual by classifying the following
statements in the categories below. Copy the statements and write your answer in
the table 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
6. Honors the parents and the elderly
7. Gets connected with the Divine through inner silence
8. Observes respect towards sacred things
9. Reads the Bible faithfully
10. Considers the Divine as one with the self
Assessment: The Elements of Religion in Your Life
Instructions:
Go back to the discussions in Elements of Religion. Answer the following
questions in relation to what you and your family’s practices.
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?

4. ANSWER KEY
Activity 1: 5. B 4. C 3. D 2. C 1. A
Activity 2:
Spiritual : nurtures relationship with other people, develops inner self through self-
reflection, honors the parents and the elderly, g, ets connected with the Divine
through inner silence, Considers the Divine as one with the self

Religious: services are done in the place of worship, regularly goes to the place of
worship, follows sets of creeds and teachings, observes respect towards sacred
things, reads the Bible faithfully

VI. REFERENCES
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
Palmer, Michael (2002) The Question of God: and Introduction and
Sourcebook. New York: Routledge Publishing
https://chopra.com/articles/religion-vs-spirituality-the-difference-between-
them accessed February 24, 2021
http://faculty.smcm.edu/ccraney/restricted/PDF/Basic_Characteristics_Relig.
pdf accessed February 24, 2021