Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IX - ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
TAMBULIG NHS – LOWER TIPARAK
Lower Tiparak, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur
Introduction to World Religion
Week 1 (February 7-12,2022)
Module 1:Understanding the Nature of Religion
MELC: Differentiate the concept, elements and characteristics of belief system, world view, religion,
and spirituality.

Understanding the Nature of Religion

What is religion and belief system?

As stated in the book by Ong and Jose entitled “Introduction to World Religions and Belief System,” religion and
belief system are two different concepts: ‘belief system’ is also known as worldview or a particular way of ordering the
realities of one’s world, while ‘religion’ is the pursuit of transformation guided by a sacred belief system.

Worldview is a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Every individual sees and interprets the world quite differently from one another. This
overall perspective is also termed worldview which is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by
people (The Free Dictionary 2014). On the other hand, religion is defined as an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies,
and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). It came from the Latin word
‘religio’ which refers to something done with overanxious or scrupulous attention to detail (Bowker 1997).

Nature of Religion

Name of Social Scientist Background View on Religion

Edward Burnett Taylor (1832- English anthropologist; founding The belief in spiritual beings
1917) figure of the science of social
anthropology

James George Frazer (1854- Scottish social anthropologist; one of A propitiation or conciliation of powers
1941) the founding figures of modern superior to man which are believed to
anthropology control and direct the course of nature and of
human life

Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski An eminent 20th – century Polish A body of self-contained acts being
(1884- 1942) anthropologist themselves the fulfilment of their purpose;
an affair of all, in which everyone takes an
active and equivalent part

David Emile Durkheim (1858 French sociologist; father of A unified system of beliefs and practices
– 1917) sociology relative to sacred things

Different Kinds of Belief Systems or Worldviews

Belief Systems or
Worldviews
 Atheism Theism Monism Agnosticism

a belief that there a belief in god no real distinction between god god cannot be
is no god and the universe known

Monotheism Polytheism

a belief in one god a belief in many gods

Examples of Monotheistic Religions Examples of Polytheistic Religions

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism,

Taoism, and Shintoism

belief in a
deity – god or goddess deity's
relationship
with the
world places and
people
belief in a believed to
deity be holy
and sacred

Religion

rules
ways to
followed as
worship a
a result of
deity
beliefs

Common Characteristics Among Religions

Defining Spirituality

Spirituality is derived from the Latin word spiritus, its verb root is spirare which means “to breathe” literally.
According to Kees Waaijman, the traditional meaning of spirituality is a process of reformation which “aims to recover
the original shape of man”, oriented at “the image of God” as exemplified by the founders and sacred texts of the religions
of the world. The term was used within early Christianity to refer to a life oriented toward the Holy Spirit and broadened
during the Late Middle Ages to include mental aspects of life. In modern times, the term both spread to other religious
traditions and broadened to refer to wider range of experience.

While religions are frequently viewed as set of ideals practiced and followed by organized groups, “spirituality is
something an individual can have without being implicated in the ambivalent complexity of human societies and
institutions” (Grassie 2010). Although traditional spirituality is frequently associated with religiosity, many people assert
that personal spirituality can grow separately from religion. One may find inner peace, satisfaction, and contentment in
life that are truly independent of religious dogmas and tenets.

In the study of religion, there are basic concepts that need to be understood such as theology, philosophy of
religion, and spirituality.
 Theology Involves the systematic study of the existence and nature of the divine. It deals with the
study of the nature and purpose of god that may undertake using a particular perspective.

Philosophy Deals primarily with issues concerning religion, which includes analysis on the existence
of a divine being or on sacred texts. it seeks to analyze various concepts such as god, spirit,
of religion karma, creation, immortality, heaven, hell and purgatory among others.

Spirituality Involves one’s integrative view of life that is more personal while affecting human soul.

Name:_____________________________________________________________________________

Comprehension Questions: Written 5pts each

1. How does religion differ from spirituality?

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2. What are the common characteristics of major world religions?

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3. Do you consider yourself religious, or spiritual? Explain your answer.

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4. How can an individual lead a spiritual life? Cite some examples.

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5. What is theology? And how it is related to religion?
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Activity no. 1 Performance Task
Reference Codes: MELC 1
Directions: Present the similarities and differences of spirituality, theology and religion using the expanded
Venn diagram below.