Grade 12

Introduction to World Religions and

Belief System
Module 2: How World’s Great Religion Began

1st Semester

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Module 2: How World’s Great Religion Began

Lesson 1. Basic Concepts on the origin of religion, on its implication with

geography and culture
Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Analyze the interconnectedness of geography, culture and religions
2. Explain how geography influences religion and how religion affects culture
3. Cite regions or places where specific religions evolved

What is It

The World’s great religions can be classified according to their places of origin. This refers
to the geographical location from which these major religions were founded. People’s socio-
cultural orientations in such place evidently influenced these religions and vice-versa. The nine
major religions of the world to be discussed in this module are classified into three: 1. Abrahamic
(religions originate in the Near East) 2. Vedic (Religions influenced by the Indian culture) and
lastly East Asian religions founded in East Asia and were strongly influenced by Asian culture.
Basic Concept on the Origin of religion
There are three basic concepts on the origin of religion. First is Animism, second is
Ancestor worship; and third ids through Revelation.
Anthropologist Edward Tylor argued that Religion had its origin in belief in immaterial souls
that might inhabit objects like stone, tress, animals or human bodies, but which also could exist
independently from them. He coined the word ‘animism “from the Greek word anima mean soul.
From this view religion is equated to animism which can be traced from ancient tradition and
practices. In some degree Filipinos do share this early form of religion in fact historical evidence
show that Filipinos believe in “ Anitos ” spirit that dwell in natural objects that need to please in
order to live in harmony with them and with the environment.
Second Theory advance by Herbert Spencer, claim that origin of religion lies in the
respect given to the ancestor and combined with the belief in ghost cause by dream
experiences. Associated with the fear of forces of nature that usually equated with the super
natural beings. Acknowledgment of the existence of Spirit/Ghost and supernatural beings support
the formation of certain belief systems and religion.
The third concept on the origin of religion is through revelation, based on this concept it
all started from the primitive Divine revelation. This means that religion is conceived from the
assumption that in the beginning, there is a God who revealed his being to man in different
manners, the essential truths of religion such as the existence of God , the obligation to obey him
an the hope of immortality.
Origin of Major Religions
The Table below shows the approximate date when each of the nine major world religions
began, along with the traditional dates for the birth and the death of each founder (if applicable).
Place of origin is also indicated for each religion. (C.E – Common Era, A.D. Anno Domino or year
of the Lord B.C.E – Before Common Era, BC, Before Christ).
Pathways of Devotion: An Introduction to World Great Religions

Date Near East India East Asia

1,000 + B.C.E. Judaism Hinduism
Moses: 1500 -1350 2,000 B.C.E.
B.C.E.
600 B.C.E. Buddhism Taoism

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 Buddha: 563 – 483 Lau Tzu: 380-500
B.C.E. B.C.E.
Confucianism
Confucius: 551-479
B.C.E.
100 C.E. Christianity Shinto
Jesus: 1-33 C.E. 100 C.E.
600 C.E. Islam
Muhammad: 570-632
C.E.
Source: www.sacred-texts.com/time/origtime.html
The Near East
The history of the Near East begins with the rise of Sumer in the 4th millennium B.C. The term
covers the Bronze Age and the Iron Age in the region until either the conquest by the Persian
Empire in the 6th century B.C. or that by Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C.
The ancient Near East is considered one of the cradles of civilization. It was here that
intensive year-round agriculture was first practiced leading to the rise of first urban settlements
and the development of many familiar institutions of civilization; such as social stratification,
centralized government and empires, organized religion and organized warfare. It also saw the
creation of first writing system (the cuneiform) and law codes, early advances that laid the
foundation of astronomy and mathematics. One very significant development during this age is
the invention of the wheel.
The ancient Near East was home of early civilizations within a region roughly corresponding to
the modern Middle East.
Significantly, most of these lands comprising the Ancient Near East were among the so-called
Bible Lands of the Old Testament – the lands mentioned in the Bible being part of its rich history,
including the different races of people with different beliefs and varied culture, living in these
places during those times.
East Asia
East Asia is the Eastern sub-region of the Asian continent, which can be defined in either
geographical or ethno-cultural terms. Geographically and geopolitically, it includes China, Hong
Kong, and Macao; Mongolia and Taiwan; North and South Korea; and Japan. It covers about 12
million square kilometers, or about 28% of the Asian continent, about twice the area of Europe.
One of the fifth of all people of the world lives in East Asia. This is approximately 38% of the
total population of Asia. Major religions include Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and some of
the indigenous populations embrace Shamanism.
The culture of East Asia has been influenced by the civilization of China. East Asia, as well
as Vietnam, shared a Confucian ethical philosophy, Buddhism, political and legal structures, and
historically, a common writing system. The relationship between China and East Asia has been
compared to the historical influence of Greco-Roman civilization on Europe.
India
India’s astounding diversity of religions languages and culture are unique and unparalleled.
The society of vast continent, varied and complex in its rich heritage is among the oldest in the
world. Five thousand years of history have nourished the growth of a great civilization. It has been
vitalized through cross-cultural contact and characterized by unity in diversity of culture and race,
caste, religion and language. India has six major religions (Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity,
Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism); two major language families (Aryan and Dravidian); with official
languages and innumerable dialects and tribal languages; three racial strands (Aryan, Dravidian
and proto-Australoid); and over 4,000 castes.
The great Indian tradition unites the diverse cultural regions, but, equally condones the
existence of different sects and local traditions. Perhaps, by more than anything else, traditional
India has been characterized by location, a fragmentation not simply of cultural-linguistic regions

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but of villages themselves. It is a known fact that over 600,000 Indian villages functioned as
autonomous republic through centuries.
How Does Geography Influence Religion?
Civilizations typically develop in and around river system where easy access to water and
irrigation systems become possible, which allows them to grow crops and move from the hunter
gatherer lifestyle to farmers. As a result, the famous River Ganges, Indus Valley, the Nile and
Amazon Rivers became places where different types of people have developed over time.
Variations in culture create different religious inclinations which incorporate therein environments
into the rituals, mythologies and iconography.
Mountains became focal points for certain religions as people scaled there heights which
gave them a higher and wider view of the surrounding lands. The ascent to certain peaks became
a symbol for the way people in those days perceived reality. People look towards nature as giving
them a purpose and meaning to life.
Because the physical geography of the land determined how and when people would live on
certain places due to accessibility, resources and climate, it would seem reasonable to conclude
that these people would regard these aspects of nature as having God-like immortality. But
because anthropomorphism ruled the day, these places became the home of the Gods, rather
than the earliest deities that preceded them during the times of paganism.
In conclusion, the physical geography of a place affects the formation of the belief system and
religious behavior of people living in such place.

Relationship between Religion and Culture

Some culture identified themselves by their religion. All common events in cultures like home,
farming, relationships, marriage, birth, and death are influenced by their religious beliefs. Religion
is the epicenter that binds culture altogether. Often, these events have religious significance.
Religion gives transcendental meaning and purpose, and often, a goal to aspire for when life
is complete. Central to the very purpose of religion is the attainment of goal in life. This paves the
way as social structures that bind religion and men. The word “religion” comes from the Latin
“religare” which means to bind.
Religion often gives codes of behavior for society and culture, such as “The Ten
Commandments”. All religions have values. Values are guides to behavior such as “do good;
avoid wrong doings”. All religions have the Five Basic Human Values such as: Truth, Right, Love,
Peace, and Non-violence at their core. These are the values which sustain the very core of family,
home, society, nation and the world. In conclusion, religious practices are shaped by the culture
around them.

Assessment

Answer the following questions:

1. Enumerate the different regions where the major world religions evolved.
2. Give your analysis about the relationship of religion and culture. Give emphasis on to
how they affect each other.
3. Describe how the geography of a particular place influences religion.
4. Enumerate and list down, anything inside your house and whatever practices you have
observed on how a particular religion influences a certain culture.