Listing of Beliefs in Spirits and

the Supernatural Prevalent in

our Local Community:
Why do we Believe?
Group 2
Spirituality
and
Religion
 The Spiritual Self
William James
The spiritual self is our inner self or our
psychological self. It is comprised of our
self-perceived abilities, attitudes,
emotions, interests, values, motives,
opinions, traits, and wishes.
In order to achieve that perfect life, you
need to balance the relationship between
an American philosopher your mind, body and soul.
and psychologist
 Religion
What is religion?
religions often have a set of beliefs about the nature
of the universe, the purpose of life, the existence
of a higher power or powers, and the afterlife.
typically involve rituals and practices such as
prayer, worship, meditation, fasting, and
ceremonies marking important life events (e.g.,
birth, marriage, death).
 Differences and
Similarities of Religion
and Spirituality
 Differences
Religion
Religions typically have defined beliefs about the nature of
the divine, the universe, and the afterlife. Practices may
include prayer, worship, and participation in communal
rituals.
Spirituality
Spirituality focuses more on personal growth, inner peace,
and self-discovery. Practices might include meditation,
mindfulness, or other activities that nurture a sense of
connection and inner awareness.
 Similarities
Both spirituality and religion involve a search for meaning,
purpose, and understanding of life's deeper questions, such
as the nature of existence, the universe, and the individual's
role in the world.
Both spirituality and religion can offer comfort and support,
especially during times of difficulty, loss, or uncertainty. They
can provide a sense of peace, hope, and resilience.
Soul and
The Spirit
 Soul
Soul is described as the realm of decision-making and
encompasses the mind, will, emotions, and personality. It
includes the imagination, desires, and feelings of an
individual. The soul acts as neutral ground between the body
and the spirit, serving as the place where free will is
exercised.
The soul is considered eternal and is present in every person,
whether redeemed or unredeemed. It is noted that even the
wicked possess souls.
 Spirit
Spirit is described as one's connection with God. It
is the innermost part of a being, the center of
identity. Spirit is the deepest part of an individual
and knows perfect fellowship with God.
Our body is the outermost part of our being,
our soul is inward, and our spirit is the
innermost, deepest part of our being.
 Belief in
Supernatural Being
and Power
 Belief
Belief in the supernatural often revolves around the
idea of entities or forces existing beyond the natural
world, beyond what can be observed or explained
by science. People may attribute supernatural
powers to deities, spirits, ghosts, or other mystical
beings. These beliefs can vary widely depending on
cultural, religious, and personal backgrounds.
 Concept of
Supernatural being
typically refers to the existence of entities such
as gods, angels, demons, or other spiritual
beings. These beings are often believed to
possess powers or attributes that exceed those
of humans and influence the natural world in
various ways.
 Concept of
Supernatural Power
relates to the ability of these beings to affect
events or exert control over aspects of reality
beyond the scope of human understanding or
ordinary physical laws. This power may be
perceived as benevolent, malevolent, or neutral,
depending on the belief system.
 Supernatural Being
and Power
Belief in the supernatural and its beings and
powers has been a fundamental aspect of human
cultures throughout history, shaping religious
beliefs, cultural practices, and societal norms. While
some people adhere strongly to these beliefs,
others approach them with skepticism or disbelief,
preferring to rely on scientific explanations for
phenomena.
The Practice
of Religion
 The Practice of
Religion
The practice of a religion may also include sermons,
commemoration of the activities of a god or gods,
sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trance, initiations,
funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation,
music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of
human culture.
 Why are religious
practices important?
It strengthens individuals, families, communities,
and society as a whole. It significantly affects
educational and job attainment and reduces the
incidence of such major social problems as out-of-
wedlock births, drug and alcohol addiction, crime,
and delinquency.
 How do Christians
practice their religion?
Worship in such a context also generally features
spoken prayer (either unscripted or prepared),
Scripture readings, congregational singing of
hymns, and a sermon. Some liturgy is normally
used but may not be described as such.
What is Spiritual
Development?
 Spiritual development
it is a personal growth in other aspects of life,
involves the journey of individuals as they seek
deeper meaning, purpose, and connection with
something beyond themselves. It encompasses the
exploration of one's beliefs, values, and inner
experiences, often through practices such as prayer,
meditation, and reflection.
 Spiritual development
it can lead to increased empathy,
compassion, and a sense of
interconnectedness with others and the world
around us. It's a deeply personal and evolving
process that varies greatly from person to
person.
 Stages of
Faith Theory
 Stage 1
Intuitive-Projective Faith Generally
pre-school aged children.
The cognitive development of children of this age is such that they
are unable to think abstractly and are generally unable to see the
world from anyone else's perspective. As Robert Keeley writes:
"These children cannot think like a scientist, consider logical
arguments, or think through complex ideas."
Faith is not a thought-out set of ideas, but instead a set of
impressions that are largely gained from their parents or other
significant adults in their lives. In this way children become
involved with the rituals of their religious community by
experiencing them and learning from those around them.
 Stage 2
Mythic-Literal Faith Generally ages
6 to 12.
Children at this age are able to start to work out the
difference between verified facts and things that
might be more fantasy or speculation.
At this age children's source of religious authority
starts to expand past parents and trusted adults to
others in their community like teachers and friends.
 Stage 2
Mythic-Literal Faith Generally ages
6 to 12.
Like the previous stage, faith is something to be
experienced. At this stage it is because children
think in concrete and literal ways. Faith becomes
the stories told and the rituals practiced.
Later in this stage children begin to have the
capacity to understand that others might have
different beliefs than them.
 Stage 3
Synthetic-Conventional Faith
Generally starts about the age of 13 and goes until around 18.
However, some people stay at this stage for their entire life.
Unlike previous stages, people at this stage are able to think
abstractly. What were once simple unrelated stories and
rituals can now be seen as a more cohesive narrative about
values and morals. With abstract thinking comes the ability to
see layers of meaning in the stories, rituals and symbols of
their faith.
 Stage 3
Synthetic-Conventional Faith
At this stage people start to have the ability to see
things from someone else's perspective. This means
that they can also imagine what others think about
them and their faith.
People at this stage claim their faith as their own
instead of just being what their family does. However,
the faith that is claimed is usually still the faith of their
family.
 Stage 3
Synthetic-Conventional Faith
Issues of religious authority are important to people at
this stage. For younger adolescents, that authority still
resides mostly with their parents and important adults.
For older adolescents and adults in this stage,
authority resides with friends and religious
community. For all people in this stage, religious
authority resides mostly outside of them personally.
 Stage 4
Individuative-Reflective Faith
This stage usually starts in late adolescence (18 to 22
years old). However Robert Keeley points out that
"people of many generations experience the kind of
dissonance that comes with the real questions of faith
that one begins to address at this stage of
development."
People in this stage start to question their own
assumptions around the faith tradition.
 Stage 4
Individuative-Reflective Faith
Along with questioning their own assumptions about their faith,
people at this stage start to question the authority structures of their
faith.
This is often the time that someone will leave their religious
community if the answers to the questions they are asking are not to
their liking.
Greater maturity is gained by rejecting some parts of their faith while
affirming other parts. In the end, the person starts to take greater
ownership of their own faith journey.
 Stage 5
Conjunctive Faith
People do not usually get to this stage until their early
thirties.
This stage is when the struggles and questioning of
stage four give way to a more comfortable place. Some
answers have been found and the person at this stage
is comfortable knowing that all the answers might not
be easily found.
 Stage 5
Conjunctive Faith
In this stage, the strong need for individual self-
reflection gives way to a sense of the importance of
community in faith development.
People at this stage are also much more open to other
people's faith perspectives. This is not because they are
moving away from their faith but because they have a
realization that other people's faiths might inform and
deepen their own.
 Stage 6
Universalizing Faith
It is a rare person who reaches this stage of faith.
James Fowler describes people at this stage as having "a
special grace that makes them seem more lucid, more
simple, and yet somehow more fully human than the rest of
us."
People at this stage cherish life but also do not hold on to
life too tightly. They put their faith in action, challenging
the status quo and working to create justice in the world.
 Stage 6
Universalizing Faith
People at this stage can become important religious
teachers because they have the ability to relate to
anyone at any stage and from any faith. They are able
to relate without condescension but at the same time
are able to challenge the assumptions that those of
other stages might have.
 Finding and
Creating Meaning of
Life
 DR. Viktor E. Frankl.
• Born on March 26, 1905 in Vienna
Austria, where famous psychiatrist
Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler lived.
• Physician by profession, graduated from
University of Vienna in 1930
• Published a book about Logotherapy.
• Man's Search for Meaning, The Doctor
and the Soul: an Introduction to
psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor,
Logotherapy.
who founded logotherapy
 LOGOTHERAPY
which main belief is that " man's primary motivational
force is search for meaning" .
It aids in individuals to find personal meaning of life,
whatever life situation they may be.
In logotherapy, meaning can be discovered by creating a
work or doing a deed, experiencing something or
encountering someone and the attitude toward
unavoidable suffering.
 Basic Concepts of
Franklian Psychology:
Life has meaning under all circumstances.
Main motivation for living is our will to find
meaning in life.
Freedom to find meaning.
Assumptions of
Logotherapy
 Assumptions of
Logotherapy
1. The human being is an entity consisting of body, mind and spirit
2. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most
miserable
3. People have a will to meaning
4. People have freedom under all circumstances to activate the will
to find meaning
5. Life has a demand quality to which people must respond if
decisions are to be meaningful
6. The individual is unique
Frankl's Sources of
Meaning
 Frankl's Sources of
Meaning
Purposeful Work
Each individual has his/her own future
goal to achieve or a task to perform
which when they fulfill it, it becomes
the meaning of life.
 Frankl's Sources of
Meaning
Courage in the Face of Difficulty
To find meaning of life is to recognize
suffering, pain, and death as part of
life and to have the courage to face
these life difficulties.
 Frankl's Sources of
Meaning
Love
Love is the only way to grasp another human
being in the innermost core of his personality.
No one can become fully aware of the very
essence of another human being unless he
loves him.
Why do we Believe?
 Why do we Believe?
Beliefs in spirits and the supernatural are prevalent in local
communities due to a combination of cultural heritage, historical
influences, social bonds, and the need to explain the unknown.
These beliefs offer psychological comfort, strengthen communal
identity, and are often reinforced by personal experiences and
media portrayals. They are passed down through generations,
creating a shared understanding and sense of connection within the
community.
Thank You for
Listening!!