Before going over this module, the learner must answer the PRE-TEST in order for the

teacher to assess Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and pin point specific topics that need
emphasis during the discussion.
PRE-TEST

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

1. It is the basic assumption about reality which lies beyond the beliefs and behavior of a certain
culture.
a. Worldview
b. Belief System
c. Religion
d. Spirituality.

2. Faith based on a series of beliefs but not formalized into a religion.

a. Religion
b. Belief System
c. Worldview
d. Spirituality.

3. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a person God or
gods.
a. Religion
b. Belief System
c. Worldview
d. Spirituality.

4. The quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul, as opposed to material or
physical things
a. Religion
b. Belief System
c. Spirituality
d. Worldview

5. The study of the nature of God and religious beliefs

a. Spirituality.
b. Worldview
c. Theology
d. Philosophy of Religion

6. It is the philosophical study of the meaning and nature of religion

a. Spirituality.
b. Worldview
c. Theology
d. Philosophy of Religion

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AND BELIEF SYSTEM Teacher
 7. A belief that all is one.
a. Monistic
b. Polytheistic
c. Monotheistic
d. Atheistic

8. A belief that there is no god

a. Monistic
b. Polytheistic
c. Monotheistic
d. Atheistic

9. A belief that there are many gods.

a. Monistic
b. Polytheistic
c. Monotheistic
d. Atheistic

10. A belief that there is only one God.

a. Monistic
b. Polytheistic
c. Monotheistic
d. Atheistic

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Common Subject: INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION MA. CRISTINA P. PARAGAS, LPT Page 2 of 8
AND BELIEF SYSTEM Teacher
 MODULE #1: Different Worldviews, Different Religions

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

 Define worldview, belief system and religion;

 Differentiate religion from spirituality, theology and philosophy of religion;
 Characterize a person who is religious but not spiritual, and a person who is spiritual
but not religious.

LEARNING CONCEPT

I. Definition of Terms

 Worldview. It is the basic assumption about reality which lies beyond the beliefs and
behavior of a certain culture. It is a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world.
 Belief System. Faith based on a series of beliefs but not formalized into a religion. Also a
coherent set of beliefs prevalent to a community of society.
 Religion. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a person
God or gods.
 Spirituality. The quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul, as opposed to
material or physical things.
 Theology. The study of the nature of God and religious beliefs.
 Philosophy of Religion. It is the philosophical study of the meaning and nature of religion.
It includes the analyses of religious concepts, beliefs, terms, arguments, and practices of
religions adherents.

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.

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.

2. Belief in the holy or sacred: This is the heart of every religion.
3. Systems of rituals: these are the different ways each religions expresses their faith.
4. Sinful acts: usually a violation of the laws established by God which each members has to
follow.
5. The Method of salvation: the belief in the afterlife or the idea of heaven and hell.
6. Mode of worship: each religion 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. Ideology is a systematic body of
concepts especially about human life or culture such as doctrine, philosophy, gospel, dogma.
8. Place of worship: Each religion has holy places which they believe God is present such as
churches, temples, mosques and other sacred places.

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 II. Elements of Religion

RELIGION – an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or group
of gods. Latin word “religio” – something done with overanxious or scrupulous attention to detail
Latin verb “religare” – to tie together or to bind fast. In its original sense, the word refers to the
expression of proper piety (devotion/respect), that is, binding to god.

To fully understand what a religion is, it is important to know its different elements. These are the
following:

1. An effort to elevate the whole self to a higher dimension of existence;

2. A framework of transcendent beliefs;
3. Text or scriptures;
4. Rituals; and
5. Sacred spaces.
NATURE OF RELIGION

 Edward Burnett Tylor (1832- 1917) English anthropologist; founding figure of the
science of social anthropology. The belief in spiritual beings.
 James George Frazer (1854-1941) Scottish social anthropologist; one of the founding
figures of modern anthropology. A propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man
which are believed to control and direct the course of nature and human life.
 Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski (1884-1942) An eminent 20th-century Polish
anthropologist. A body of self-contained acts being themselves the fulfilment of their
purpose; an affair of all, which everyone takes an active and equivalent part.
 David Ëmile Durkheim (1858-1917) French sociologist; Father of sociology. A unified
system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things.

COMMON CHARACTERISICS AMONG RELIGIONS

1. Belief in deity

Three philosophical views:

 Atheists believe that no deity exists.

 Theists believe in deity or deities.
 Agnostics say that the existence of deity cannot be proved or disproved.

2. A Doctrine of Salvation It is based on the belief that people are in some danger from
which they must be saved.
3. A Code of Conduct Is a set of moral teachings and values that all religions have in some
form.
4. Religious Rituals These include the acts and ceremonies by which believers appeal to and
serve God, deities and other sacred powers.

III. Worldview of Major World’s Religions

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  Understanding the worldview of each of the major religions is critical in appreciating their
rituals and practices. These worldviews are the following:
1. Monistic - a belief that all is one.
2. Polytheistic - a belief that there are many gods.
3. Monotheistic - a belief that there is only one God.
4. Atheistic - a belief that there is no god.

IV. Elements of Spirituality

 The elements of spirituality are the following:

1. Holistic a fully integrated view of life;

2. Quest for meaning including the purpose of life;
3. Quest for the sacred. Beliefs about God; and
4. Suggests a self-reflective existence.

V. Religion and Spirituality

 Religion can be defined as a belief in God or gods to be worshipped, usually expressed in

conducts and rituals.
 Spirituality is the quality or fact of being spiritual, non-physical.
 Religion is a set of beliefs and rituals that put a person in a right relationship with God or
gods, while spirituality is more of a character focused on spiritual things.

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 ACTIVITY
DIRECTION: Prepare character sketches of a person who is spiritual but not religious and a person
who is religious but not spiritual.

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 POST TEST

DIRECTION: 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
b. opinion
c. belief system
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
b. Monotheists
c. Pantheists
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. He is an English anthropologist; founding figure of the science of social anthropology. The

belief in spiritual beings.
a. Edward Burnett Tylor
b. James George Frazer
c. Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski
d. David Ëmile Durkheim

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 7. A French sociologist; Father of sociology. A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to
sacred things.
a. Edward Burnett Tylor
b. James George Frazer
c. Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski
d. David Ëmile Durkheim

8. A Scottish social anthropologist; one of the founding figures of modern anthropology. A

propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man which are believed to control and direct
the course of nature and human life.
a. Edward Burnett Tylor
b. James George Frazer
c. Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski
d. David Ëmile Durkheim

9. An eminent 20th-century Polish anthropologist. A body of self-contained acts being

themselves the fulfilment of their purpose; an affair of all, which everyone takes an active
and equivalent part.
a. Edward Burnett Tylor
b. James George Frazer
c. Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski
d. David Ëmile Durkheim

10. It is based on the belief that people are in some danger from which they must be saved.
a. Spirituality
b. Philosophy of Religion
c. Belief in deity
d. A Doctrine of Salvation

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Common Subject: INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION MA. CRISTINA P. PARAGAS, LPT Page 8 of 8
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