Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE I PANGASINAN
Lingayen, Pangasinan

Name: ______________________________________________ Date: _____________

Grade Level & Section: ________________________________
SELF – LEARNING MODULE
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS
Understanding the Nature of Religion
Introduction:
The understandings of our world are constantly developing, changing, growing.
What is religion? How can we define it? Literally, that which binds one back. At the heart
of our understanding of religion is salvation, the restoration of relationship with God.
Understanding the nature of religion enlightens learners about the common
grounds that binds believers into examining the questions of life and death and why or
how persons yearn for spiritual inspiration. Religion may be defined as an organized
system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules to worship a god or a group of gods.
Motivational Activity
Direction: In the context of religion, list down ten things that you believe in by completing
the following statements. What have you observed in your own belief system?
1. I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
2. I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
3 I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
4. I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
5. I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
6. I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
7. I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
8. I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
9. I believe in/that___________________________________________________.
10. I believe in/that__________________________________________________.
 Competency: Give an example of a belief system or a worldview.
Communicate his/her understanding of his/ her religion
HUMSS_WRB12I/IIIa-1.1
Objective:
Explain the etymological meanings of the term religion.
PROCEDURE/LEARNING EXPERIENCE
A. Understanding Beliefs and Worldviews

Religion

Monotheistic Polytheistic Agnostic Agnostic

Monistic

Kinds Description

Monism There is no real distinction between god and the universe

Polytheism The belief and worship of many gods
Monotheism The doctrine or belief in one supreme god
Atheism Disbelief or in denial of the existence of a personal god
Agnosticism god cannot be known

B. Definition and Nature of Religion

belief in a deity’s relationship with the world

 belief in a deity places and people believed to be holy and sacred

Religion

rules followed as a result of beliefs

ways to worship a deity

Name of Social Scientist Background View on Religion

Edward Burnett Tylor English anthropologist; The belief in spiritual beings

(1832-1917) founding figure of the
science of social
anthropology
James George Frazer Scottish social A propitiation or conciliation of powers
(1854-1941) anthropologist; one of the superior to man which are believed to
founding figures of modern control and direct the course of nature
anthropology and human life
Bronislaw Kasper An eminent 20th-century A body of self-contained acts being
Malinowski (1884-1942) Polish anthropologist themselves the fulfillment of their
purpose; an affair of all, which everyone
takes an active and equivalent part

David Ëmile Durkheim French sociologist; Father A unified system of beliefs and
(1858-1917) of sociology practices relative to sacred things

GUIDE QUESTIONS:
Direction: Answer the following questions.
1. How do religions come about?
2. How did the religion help explain man’s existence and role in the world?
3. How does religion differ from spirituality?
4. How is religion viewed by various people in relation to their outlook on God?
LET’S LEARN
Theories on the Origins of Religion
Theory Proponent Explanation
Animistic Edward Burnett Primitive people believed in souls or anima found in people
Tylor (seen in dreams) and in all nature and they pray and offer
Theories
sacrifices to these spirits.
(1832-1917),
English
anthropologist
Robert Henry All early people began their religion in cognizance of mana,
Codrington a mysterious force that inhabited all of nature. The
destructiveness of the mana can be avoided by
(1830-1922),
establishing taboos.
Anglican priest
and
anthropologist
Nature Worship Theory Human beings first developed their religions from their
observations of the forces of nature. Primitive people
identified and personified them and created myths about
the regularity of the seasons, the phases of the moon and
the tides.

Theory of Wilhelm Originally there had been one great god above all others
Original Schmidt but he went away and had little contact with the world that
Monotheis (1868-1954), resulted in majority of attention and worship to local deities.
m Austrian
anthropologist
and ethnologist
Magic James George People had gone three phases of development concerning
Theory Frazer the spirit world: (1) primitive magic; (2) religion; and (3)
(1854-1941), science
Scottish social
anthropologist
Wish Ludwig There were no gods and that belief in gods was simply
Fulfillment Andreas von wish fulfillment. Troubled people who could not cope with
Theory Feuerbach the difficulties in life projected their wishes and developed
(1804-1872), gods and religions.
German
philosopher
and
anthropologist

Wish Karl Heinrich Religions were developed by the few as a means to control
Fulfillment Marx (1818- the masses and suppress revolution as a result of the
Theory 1883), German continuing struggle between classes. Masses were
philosopher persuaded to accept poverty and be obedient to inherit
and sociologist bliss in another life.

Sigmund Freud Religion originated from the guilt that individuals

(1856-1939), supposedly feel in hating their fathers. As a result of his
Australian subconscious hatred and ensuing guilt, a great father
neurologist and image was projected in the sky called God. A healthy
founder father mature person can face problems without the need for
of gods or religions.
psychoanalysis

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY: ESSAY

Write a two-page essay on the topic “Religion: What Does It Mean to Me?” guided by
the following questions:
1. What different values have your religion instilled in you?
2. What various guiding principles which may have been influenced by your religion
do you adhere to in your life?
RUBRIC FOR ESSAY
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS POINTS
OBTAINED
Content The content was well thought of; guide 7
questions were thoroughly answered
Organization The paper was well written with ideas 7
easily conveyed to readers
Developmen Points are thoroughly developed 6
t
Total: 20

REFLECTION:
1. Do you agree that the universe is designed and created by a single divine being
or God? Explain your answer.
 2. How can you lead a spiritual life? Cite at least 3 examples.
Assessment
Directions: Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the
blanks provided.
Column A Column B
_______1. A belief in the existence of one God viewed a. Theology
as the creative source of the human race and the world
_______2. Relating or reflecting the human spirit or soul b. Agnosticism
that is, one’s personal integrative view
_______3. The belief that there is only one God who c. Polytheism
could have designed and created the universe
_______4. The belief in many principal gods among whom d. Theism
no one is supreme
_______5. The belief that there is no genuine distinction e. worldview
between God and the universe
_______6. Denial of the existence of God f. monism
_______7. The belief that God’s existence is unknown g. monotheism
and unknowable
_______8. An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies h. atheism
and rules to worship a god or a group of gods
_______9. A collection of beliefs about life and the i. Religion
universe held by people
_______10. The systematic study of the existence and j. Spirituality
nature of the divine
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE I PANGASINAN
Lingayen, Pangasinan

Name: ______________________________________________ Date: _____________

Grade Level & Section: ________________________________
SELF – LEARNING MODULE
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS
Origin of World Religions
Introduction:
Similar to living organisms, religions are born in history and they gradually developed
into living traditions and affect the lives of their followers. Belief systems originate in
certain localities within the context of culture and even geography.
Motivational Activity
Directions: Each picture symbolizes a type of religion. Identify the religion that each
picture tries to depict. Write a brief explanation on why you identified a religion with one
of the given pictures.
1. 4.

2. 5.

3. 6.
 Competency: Differentiate religion from:
a. Spirituality b. Theology c. Philosophy of Religion
HUMSS_WRB12I/IIIa-1.2
Objective:
Differentiate between religion as humans’ way to God, theology as a study of
God’s way to humans and philosophy as a reflection of humans’ lived experience of
God
Concept Map

DATE SIGNIFICANCE

c. 2000 BCE Time of Abraham, the patriarch of Israel

c. 1200 BCE Time of Moses, the Hebrew leader of Exodus

c. 1100 – 500 BCE Hindus compiled their holy texts, the Vedas

c. 563 – 83 BCE Time of the Buddha, founder of Buddhism

c. 551 – 479 BCE Time of Confucius, founder of Confucianism

c. 200 BCE The Hindu book, Bhagavad Gita, was written

c. 2 to 4 BCE – 32 CE Time of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and founder of Christianity

c. 32 CE The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

c. 40 – 90 CE The new Testament was written by the followers of Jesus Christ

c. 100 CE Beginnings of Shintoism (no known founder)
c. 500 – 580 CE Time of Lao Tze, founder of Daoism

c. 570 – 632 CE Time of Muhammad, who recorded the Q’ran as the basis of Islam
Important Dates on the Origin of World Religions

THE PATRIARCH ABRAHAM

• Played a major role in the establishment of the three monotheistic religions:
namely, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which account for more than half of
the world’s total population. As such, these organized religions are collectively
known as ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS.
• The importance of Abraham in these three religions lies in the fact that the
patriarch appears as an elemental (primary) figure for monotheistic belief system
and a paragon (exemplar) for extreme devotion.

ANALYSIS: THE GENEALOGY OF ABRAHAM

Directions: Familiarize yourself with the diagram below showing the genealogy of
Abraham. Can you identify some of the listed names based on your knowledge of your
religion?

LET’S LEARN
 A. COMMONALITIES IN ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS
1. They all worship one supreme being.
• Ancient Hebrews – Elohim, Adonai or Yahweh
• Present day Judaism – “Lord” or “God”
• Muslims – Allah
2. Prophets and apostles play major roles
• Judaism has 48 prophets and 7 prophetesses
• Early prophets include Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron and
Joshua
• Christianity has 12 apostles, some of whom wrote parts of the New
Testament
• Islam believes that Muhammad is the final prophet or the “Seal of the
Prophets”.
3. Prior to the establishment as organized religions, the role of divine revelation or
intervention is associated among their progenitors (ancestors).
• God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac at Mount Moriah
• God presented the 10 Commandments to Moses at Mount Sinai
• God sacrificed His son Jesus Christ through crucifixion as the plan to
salvation
• God commanded Muhammad to establish a new religion at a cave in
Mount Hira.
*** Then and now, the followers of the three Abrahamic religions
are presented with a choice between good and evil.
THE INDIAN MOSAIC
• India is one of the oldest surviving civilizations, with its history dating back to at
least 6500 BCE. The many conquerors that came to India were gradually
absorbed into the native Indian religions.
• The Harappan civilization, Aryan influence, local dynasties, and the Muslim
conquest all had their fair share in building the intricate Indian mosaic. As a
result, variety and complexity characterize Indian culture.
• Four great religions originated in India – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and
Sikhism – and a myriad of minor cults and local sects.
HINDUISM
• It perfectly reflects Indian heterogeneity with its eclectic (diversified and assorted)
ways of religious expressions that are quite confusing to outsiders.
• It has no specific founder, no one sacred book, and with innumerable gods and
goddesses that any Hindu can venerate. As such, Hinduism can be considered
as museum of religions.
• It was during the Vedic Period that Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma became
systematized as a religion that preached order and purpose to the cosmos and
human life.
• During this period, universal order became equated with a stable society as
evidenced by the establishment of a centralized government and the integration
of collective traditions into Indian lives.
BUDDHISM
• It centers its attention on the figure of the Buddha, who was not a god but a
human being who came to discover how to terminate sufferings in order to
escape the painful and continuous cycle of rebirth.
• Buddhist followers revere Buddha in the same way that the members of other
world religions worship their gods.
• The Mahayana sect of Buddhism differs from Theravada school because of its
rich array of buddhas and bodhisattvas who have attained spiritual
enlightenment. These beings are already eligible to enter nirvana but choose to
delay this glorious path to guide others to the path of salvation.
CONFUCIANISM
• Even during the olden days, the Chinese had already endeavored to establish
and attain good governance. China adopted Confucius’s ideals and ethics as the
nation developed meritocracy (power goes to those with superior intellects) as a
basis for government officials.
• Confucius is regarded as China’s greatest philosopher and teacher who lived at
the same time as Siddharta Gautama in India.
• Confucian ideals aspire to harmonize human relations and serve as guide to
social behavior. An ideal human society it the utmost concern for the Confucian
followers.
• Confucius dwell upon the theme of the Dao as being the truth or way things out
to be done concordant with specific view to life, politics and customs.
• Confucian Dao concerns human affairs.
DAOISM
• Mysteries abound the birth and life of Laozi (Lao-tzu) who may have written Dao
De Jing (Tao Te Ching or The Book of the Way and its Power.
• Believed to be a contemporary (modern version) of Confucius, he once worked
as a record keeper at the time of Zhou Dynasty but soon left the service due to
his frustration with corruption.
• Around 142 CE, Daoism began as an organized religion with the establishment
of the Way of the Celestial Masters sect by Zhang Daoling during the Han
Dynasty.
• The writings of Daoism centers on the concept of Dao, as a way or path
signifying appropriateness of one’s behavior to lead other people.
• Dao in Daoism means road, path or way in which one does something.
• Daoist Dao means the way the universe works.
SHINTOISM
• It is a loosely organized local belief in Japan, somewhat an ardent (dedicated)
religious form of Japanese patriotism. Its mythology highlights the superiority of
Japan over other lands.
• Japanese people believed that their emperors literally descended from the sun
goddess Amaterasu.
• Conscious effort is done to revere the beauty of Japan’s lands, especially
mountains.
• The term ‘Shinto’ was coined around the 16 th century CE to distinguish native
belief system from the imported religions of China and Korea, including
Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism.
• The term came from the Chinese words ‘shen’ and ‘tao’ roughly translated as
the ‘way of the gods’
• Of primal importance were the kami that were often defined as the gods but
could also refer to deities of heaven and earth, or even spirits in human beings,
animals, trees, seas and mountains.

B. GEOGRAPHY OF FAITH
1. THE WESTERN FRONTIER
• West Asia is the home of three great religions (J, C, I).

• Religions have increasingly become involved in domestic politics of West Asia,

resulting in prolonged conflicts among countries that have claimed thousands
of lives.
The Levant: Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria and Palestine

SACRED MOUNTAINS IN THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN TRADITION

Holy Location Significance
Mountains
Mount Ararat Eastern part of Turkey Traditional landing place of Noah’s Ark as
narrated in the book of Genesis
Mount Sinai Sinai Peninsula in Egypt The peak where Moses received the 10
Commandments
Mount Zion/ Jerusalem Known as the city of David and Temple Mount
Mount Moriah
Mount Tabor Israel Site of transfiguration of Jesus Christ

• One of the most sacred sites in the world revered by JCI. Three structures are
found in the present site: Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the Dome
of the Chain. The Jewish people consider the Temple Mount as their holiest
shrine. Mount Moriah is also believed to be the site of sacrifice of Isaac by
Abraham.
• Vast expanse of deserts and bodies of water also played important roles in
biblical history.
• Presently, followers of Abrahamic religions place high regard on the city of
Jerusalem in Israel because of the numerous sites that are central to their belief
system.
• There are more than a thousand synagogues, more than a hundred churches
and more than 70 mosques.
• Jerusalem has been sacred for the Jews for almost three thousand years now
with the city being the site of the First Temple (King Solomon’s Temple) and the
Second Temple.
• The Western Wall (Wailing Wall or Kortel), one of the four remaining walls that
surrounded Temple Mount, is the second holiest shrine for the Jews.
 • Jerusalem has been sacred for the Christians for almost two thousand years
now. Important sites include Mount Zion and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
which is the site of the Golgotha (or the place of crucifixion) and the empty tomb
of Jesus Christ.
• Lastly, Jerusalem has been sacred for the Muslims for almost 1400 years now.
For the Sunni Muslims, it is their third holiest city.
• Located at the Temple Mount, the Islamic Dome of the Rock is the most
recognizable structure in Jerusalem. It is believed that the rock is the spot from
which Muhammad ascended to heaven. Likewise, the First and Second Temples
are believed to lie beneath or near the shrine.
• Another Islamic structure is the Al-Aqsa Mosque associated with the night
journey undertaken by Muhammad.
2. THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
• The subcontinent of South Asia covers an area more than one and a half million
square miles stretching from the Hindu Kush and Baluchi Hills on the west and
the Great Himalayan mountain range on the north, to the Burmese mountain on
the east and the Indian Ocean on the south.
• More than 4000 years ago, a civilization emerged along the Indus River that
developed a unique culture long before the dawn of the Christian era.
• Invasions from people originating in Macedonia and Central Asia have added
diversity to India’s population and complexity to its culture.
• Because sweltering heat is one major feature of India’s ecological setting, it is no
wonder that Hindus revere the sun (Surya) and fire (Agni).
• Water also plays a major role as evidenced by Hindus venerating a god of water
and celestial oceans (Varuna).
• The South Asian countries of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh depend on the
rivers of Indus, Ganga-Yamuna and Bramaputra. Traversing the great plains
of north India, the Ganga (Ganges) is the holiest river for the Hindus. From its
point of origin to its confluence with the ocean, many ancient pilgrimage sites and
cities line up along the Ganga that include Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayag and
Varanasi.
• Even Buddhists consider Varanasi as an important religious site. During the
olden days, there was once a deer park in Samath which is now a residential
area in Varanasi. In this park, Siddharta Gautama gave his first sermon about the
principles of Buddhism. It is presently marked by the Dhamek Stupa shrine.
• The Buddha also met his first disciples at this place which is now commemorated
by the Chaukhandi Stupa monument.
3. THE EASTERN END
• At the eastern end of the great Asian continent one finds the cultural and political
dominance of China.
• The location of China proper in the valleys of two great bodies of water, the
Huang He and Yangtze, is quite favorable because of the support these streams
provide to the Chinese people that made historic China the center of culture.
• From these river valleys emerged small states now controlled by the first
recorded dynasties, the Shang and the Zhou. It is within this context that the
great Confucius became fascinated with ethical questions and morality in
government officials.
• Confucius, the main person behind the social philosophy, did not intend to start a
new religion but rather expound on the nature of order and stability in the society.
With the growth of Confucianism and the development of urban Chinese culture,
the shamanism began to decline in China.
• It was only during the second millennium after the death of Confucius in 479 BCE
that the teachings and ideals identified with his philosophy spread in China. By
the time of the Han dynasty, Confucian teachings had become the state
religion. In Korea, it began to be disseminated extensively around the 15 th
century. In Japan, it was accepted by the majority during the 18 th and 19th
centuries.
• Daoism emerged in response to the widespread warfare and social turmoil that
besieged the Zhou dynasty. It served as the guiding principle to abandon and
withdraw from the disorder brought about by incessant struggle for power, wealth
and prestige. The common people began to oppose the rising authoritarian rule
and the rigidity of the moralists who were Confucian supporters. Daoist followers
aspired for autonomy in the midst of social adversities and the conformity to
social patterns with the aim of attaining social harmony.
• As the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje were being influenced by
China, Korea also adopted Buddhism and Confucianism from the mainland.
• Japanese representatives to China picked the useful aspects of Chinese culture,
imported and adopted these elements to their own need. The Japanese feudal
(old) system embraced the ideals of Confucianism. Ancestor worship
complemented elements of Confucianism and Daoism that underscored the
concept of filial piety (devotion to family.
• The entry of Buddhism in Japan between the 4 th and 8th centuries had a direct
effect in their religious traditions.
• Shinto was introduced (to distinguish native from foreign religion)
 • Shinto followers acknowledged that the numerous buddhas and
• bodhisattvas were revelations of the kami.
• Fusion between Shintoism and Buddhism
• Japan developed a unique form of Buddhism taking its fullest meditative form
under Zen.
C. CULTURAL MILIEU
• World religions can be regarded along the lines of their exclusivity or non-
exclusivity.
• Exclusive religions are oftentimes monotheistic with Judaism, Christianity and
Islam. Meanwhile, non-exclusive religions are Hinduism, Buddhism,
Confucianism, Taoism and Shintoism.
ON THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA
• The concept of dharma is integral in religions that emerged in India, including
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
• In Hinduism, dharma could mean duty, righteousness and ethics. In all humanity,
this is common and evident in virtues such as peacefulness, empathy and
kindness.
• For Buddhism, it means cosmic law and order, or the teachings of Buddha and
the truth of the way things are.
• For the Theravada sect, dharma is sometimes used to indicate all the factors of
existence.
• Dharmic religions do not compel their adherents to profess their devotion to be a
believer or a practitioner. Meditational and yoga rituals lead to right behavior and
ultimate understanding of the universe.
• While the Hindus and Buddhists share similarities in their ideas concerning
enlightenment and liberation, they differ in:
• Hindus believe in trimurti or the three forms of god
• Buddhists do not believe in the existence of any god therefore
intermediaries for humans and gods are not necessary along with the
many rituals that go with venerating them.
CRITICAL THINKING
1. How important is the role of Abraham in the development of monotheistic
religions?
 2. In what ways are Confucianism and Taoism more of a social philosophy rather
than organized religions?
3. How did geography affect religious events and development in West Asia, in the
Indian subcontinent, and in China?
4. What are the major points of difference between dharmic religions and
Abrahamic religions?
5. Why are natural forces and environment integral in the Shinto religion?
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY: DRAW IT!
• Draw a map of the world and show how religion spread around the world.
• Take note of the key cities or countries where each religion originated.
• Use one color per religion.
RUBRIC
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS POINTS
OBTAINED
Content Important concepts were highlighted 7
and explained
Organization The concept was clearly and creatively 7
conveyed
Presentation The idea was clearly presented 6
Total: 20

REFLECTION