WORK TEXT

ON
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION & BELIEF SYSTEM
Week 1
Worldviews, Belief Systems & Religion

Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text

Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
GRADE 11
QUARTER 3
WEEK 1 NUMBER OF DAYS: 4 days
LESSON 1: WORLDVIEWS, BELIEFS SYSTEMS AND RELIGION
I. INTRODUCTION
This work text will guide you in understanding the relationship of the following concepts namely;
Worldview, Belief Systems and Religion.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to:
a. Differentiate the concept, elements and characteristics of belief system, worldview, religion,
and spirituality.

II. START UP
A. ACTIVITY
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of paper.

1. A worldview is similar to_____________________________.

A. understanding about life C. opinion
B. belief system D. both a & b
2. Which statement is not a belief system?
A. I believe I can fly.
B. “An unexamined life is not worth living for.” (Socrates)
C. “Si Malakas at si Maganda” the Filipino version of Creation story.
D. The West Philippine sea belongs to Filipinos as affirmed by an as arbitrary tribunal in
Hague, Netherland.
3. Identify the statement that does NOT describe a spiritual person.
A. A person who sees God always in all things.
B. A person who always goes to church on Sundays.
C. A person who experiences “Bodhi ” or “Enlightenment.”
D. A person who feels the force of nature and become one with it.
4. Since time immemorial, belief to a divine being is practiced by people in different cultural milieu
and traditions. There are even those who worship animals like the golden calf in in the Old
Testament as their God. Other culture even consider millions of small gods like the Hindus.
How do you call the people who believe in one God?
A. Polytheists C. Pantheists
B. Monotheists D. Atheists

Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text

Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School
 5. As individuals we use different lenses in seeing things and realities around us. Conflicts
sometimes arise in defense of their point of view. Our pluralistic society has also varied belief
systems. What statement best described what a belief system is?
A. A particular way of ordering the realities of the world.
B. The religious preferences of a person or group
C. Anything that we do and think about all the time
D. A speculative thinking and ritualistic habit of different people.

B. DISCUSSION
WORLDVIEW AND BELIEF SYSTEM
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.
Carol Hill describes worldview, as
“By worldview (or belief system) I mean 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. It is more than culture, even though the distinction
between the two can sometimes be subtle. It extends to perceptions of time and space, of
happiness and well-being. The beliefs, values, and behaviors of culture stem directly from its
worldview.” (Hill, 2007)
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. You stop at
a red light and go at a green. ( Cornejo, et al, 2019).
Google has a simple definition, it says, ”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).

Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text

Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School
 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). They believe that an infinite, personal
God exists. God created the real world. People are created in the image of God.
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.
(Cornejo et al, 2019). 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 a genuine believers. The elements
of religions written by Maria Perpetua Arcilla-Serapio lay-down these basic characteristics at
least for the major religions. They are;
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.

Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text

Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School
 The most important symbol of baptism is water. It symbolizes cleansing from sin. The child
also has to wear white dress to symbolize purity.
4. Sinful acts : usually a violation of the laws established by God which each members has to
follow. For example the Ten Commandments for Judaism and Christians and the Five
Pillars of Islam which when violated the believer commits 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 go straight to
heaven.
6. Mode of worship: each religions 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.

C. ENGAGE

SINO AKO! A STRANGER FROM OUTER SPACE

Directions: Think of what these factors (worldview, belief systems, religion, values) would help you
in your direction towards life. You can present their influences through a semantic web as shown
below; For example, you can start by writing, “Religion makes me a better person.”

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. What did you discover after accomplishing the task?

2. What did you feel when you encountered these situations? Which specific part of our
discussion did you apply in your situation?
3. As a student, how does your own belief system help you to become who you are at the
moment?

Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text

Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School
 D. ASSESSMENT

Directions: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet
of paper.

1. A worldview is similar to_____________________________.

A. understanding about life C. belief system
B. opinion D. A & B
2. Which statement is not a belief system?
A. I believe I can fly.
B. “An unexamined life is not worth living for.” (Socrates)
C. “Si Malakas at si Maganda” the Filipino version of Creation story
D. The West Philippine sea belongs to Filipinos as affirmed by an as arbitrary tribunal in
Hague, Netherland.
3. Identify the statement that does NOT describe a spiritual person.
A. A person who sees God always in all things.
B. A person who always goes to church on Sundays.
C. A person who experiences “Bodhi ” or “Enlightenment.”
D. A person who feels the force of nature and become one with it.
4. Since time immemorial, belief to a divine being is practiced by people in different cultural milieu
and tradition. There are even those who worship animals like the golden calf in in the Old
Testament as their God. Other culture even considers millions of small gods like the Hindus.
How do you call the people who believe in one God?
A. Polytheists C. Pantheists
B. Monotheists D. Atheists
5. As individuals we use different lenses in seeing things and realities around us. Conflicts
sometimes arise in defense of their point of view. Our pluralistic society has also varied belief
systems. What statement best describes what a belief system is?
A. A particular way of ordering the realities of the world.
B. The religious preferences of a person or group
C. Anything that we do and think about all the time.
D. A speculative thinking and ritualistic habit of different people.
6. Etymologically it comes from a Latin word, “Religare” which means “ to bind or to tie.”
A. Spirituality C. Culture
B. Religion D. Theology
7. According to Deepak Chopra, “Religion is a belief to someone else’s experience. Spirituality is
having your own experience.” It means?
A. Spirituality answers the question, “Where do I find meaning?” while for religion the question
is “Where do I belong?’
B. Spirituality focus is what is right or wrong, while religion talks about sacraments and rituals.
C. Spirituality it is about the question of true or false while religion is about obedience to the
laws
D. Spirituality asks what rites, sacraments, or rituals should we follow while Religion ask what
are our values?
Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text
Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School
 8. From the given statements below, consider the most appropriate behavior or attitude if one is a
member of a religious group?
A. Argue that his/her God is the real one.
B. Criticize other Religious beliefs
C. Respect the freedom of Religion.
D. Proselytize and convert other people to join your religion
9. Identify which statement does not distinguish between Religion and Spirituality?
A. Religion makes us vow, Spirituality set us free.
B. Religion shows us fear, Spirituality shows us courage
C. Religion tells the truth, Spirituality allows us to discover the truth.
D. Religion is real Spirituality is metaphysical.
10. It is defined as broader than religion. It goes beyond religious affiliation that strives for
inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose even to those who do not believe in God.
A. Animism C. Spirituality
B. Theology D. Philosophy

Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text

Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School
 REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET

Name: _______________________________________ Section: ____________________

Quarter 3: Worktext No. 1 Week No. : 1

MELC : *Differentiate the concept, elements and characteristics of belief system and world view,
religion.

Objectives: Strengthen your relationship with God by recognizing that belief systems, worldview and
religion are part of our being human.

Topic : Worldview, Belief Systems and Religion

Direction : Reflect and write briefly your concept about “Religion” using the title below

My Idea of Religion

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

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Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text

Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School
REFERENCE:
 Introduction to World Religion & Belief Systems by Paciano B. Ferrer-MTII of SDO Manila

Week 1 Introduction to World Religions & Beliefs Systems Work Text

Jason E. Vilale
San Isidro Integrated National High School