INTRODUCTION TO WORLD

RELIGIONS AND BELIEF

SYSTEM
LESSON 2
HOW WORLD RELIGION BEGAN?
THE EMERGENCE
OF RELIGION
PALEOLITHIC PERIOD (2-5 million
years ago)
• Archeological Evidences showing
spiritual belief manifested by burial
practices.
• The start of complex and sophisticated
way of living.
• Neanderthals engaged in burial rituals
burying dead with offerings and tools
NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION
• Human have emerged to more
sedentary lifestyle.
• Domestication of animals.
• Social organization, trades and
migration, formation of
government
EARLIEST EVIDENCE OF
RELIGION IN EARLY
HUMAN SOCIETY
CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL FACTORS

• Neolithic Era – carving of • Pope John Paul II and Mother

figurines of deities and Theresa – influential personalities in
Roman Catholic.
gods.
• Matin Luther – changed the people’s
view and ideas of Christianity
• Egypt – Pyramid Text • Dalai Lama- did not adhere to
(funerary literature) Buddhism due to his views on social
issues.
EARLY HUMAN SOCIETY (PALEOLITHIC ERA)
• Human have relied to nature for
foods.
• They have developed fear of the
unknown, forces of nature and
uncertainties of human life.
• The concept of supernatural power
was conceived.
• To appease their fear they are
compelled to believe in the
extraordinary forces.
MESOPOTAMIA (3000 BC)

• sumerians (3000 BCE)

• akkadian, babylonian, & assyrian empire
(2370 BCE).
• veneration of gods (polytheistic and
henotheistic).
• belief in semi divine monarchs and started
the systematized form of government.
• some gods have human forms that requires
foods and drinks.
EGYPT (2300 BC)

• Had emerged civilization by the

Nile River.
• Pharaoh who governs the people
and wealth were considered demi-
Gods.
INDUS VALLEY (2300 BC)

• Emerged in Harappa and Mohenjo

Daro in the Indus River.
• They have lived in brick houses
and well planned villages.
• Emphasis on hygiene and ritual
cleanliness
• Led to emergence of Vedic culture.
CHINA (1766-1050 BC)
• Emerged in Yellow River Basin in
the Shang Dynasty.
• First recognized Bronze-aged
civilization.
• Prior the emergence of Chinese
Philosophers China has animistic
world views.
CHINA (1766-1050 BC)
• Emerged in Yellow River Basin in
the Shang Dynasty.
• First recognized Bronze-aged
civilization.
• Prior the emergence of Chinese
Philosophers China has animistic
world views.
AMERICA (1500 BC)

• Mesoamerican region
• Arose in areas that had robust
agriculture in the Andes Region
• Olmecs – “Nahuatl” language
which means “rubber people”
 DISTRIBUTION AND
SPREAD OF RELIGIONS
• 2 types of Religion UNIVERSAL and ETHNIC
• Accompanying the spread and dispersion is the
influence of local cultures.
• This gives rise to certain changes in many religion,
the present is often far from the original form.
• Adaptation to local cultures is key to survival &
growth of religion.