LESSON

1 UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF

RELIGION
What I Need to Know

What does it mean to be religious and spiritual? Why is religion linked to humankind’s
quest to search for the real meaning of life and death? As we all know, when one prays, he or she
actively seeks an affinity to divine beings or supernatural entities that are beyond the purely natural
world. The picture below is a clear depiction of an act of prayer. Majority of world religions follow a
set of prayers in the form of chants, mantras, or creed. Whether you pray or not, you may have
witnessed the influential roles being played by religions all over the world.
Understanding the nature of religion enlightens learners about the common grounds that bind
believers into examining the questions of life and death and why or how persons yearn for spiritual
inspiration. Recognizing the inherent characteristics of religion provides the opportunity to deeply
grasp the many beliefs and practices that mold humankind's spiritual needs.

What I Know (Old and New Concept Fusion)

MOTIVATIONAL ACTIVITY

In the context of religion, list down 10 things that you believe in 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 ______________________________________________
 What is It?

CONCEPT MAP

RELIGION

Monistic Monotheistic Polytheistic Agnostic

Atheistic

UNDERSTANDING BELIEF AND WORLD VIEWS

Every individual sees and interprets the world quite differently from one another. This
overall perspective is also termed worldview which is a collection of beliefs about life and the
universe being held by people (The Free Dictionary 2014). For a certain individual, social
environment and upbringing are critical in the development of a religious life. All these factors
have an effect on how people organize their beliefs and ideas while eventually creating a
comprehensive narrative through which they look at the world and interrelate with it.
Belief in god or gods is found in almost all religions. There is a good reason to presuppose that
religion had existed during prehistoric times and this has continued to the modern day. Human
life may have produced hundreds of religions and belief systems. There could be more
unknown than known religions in the world since recorded history covers only several thousand
years of human existence.
 Theism, often used as a synonym to monotheism, is defined as “a belief in the existence
of one god viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends
yet is immanent in the world” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2014). Monotheistic religions
claim that there is only one God who could have designed and created the universe or may
have directed all events that led to the creation of everything. There is one supreme God who
is both personal and moral, and who seeks a total and unqualified response from humans
(Hick 1990). Modern-day examples of monotheistic religions include Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam. On the other hand, polytheistic religions that are common among early people
recognize many principal gods among whom no one is supreme. These include the ancient
religions of Egypt, Greece, and Rome wherein people worship a multitude of personal gods.
Meanwhile, monism asserts that there is no genuine distinction between God and the
universe. Two implications arise from this belief. Firstly, it contends that God is dwelling in the
universe as part of it. Secondly, the universe does not exist at all as a reality but only as a
manifestation of God. Furthermore, while atheists deny the existence of God, agnostics deny
the possibility for man to acquire knowledge of the existence of God.

DEFINITION AND NATURE OF RELIGION

Religion may be defined as “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to
worship a god or a group of gods” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2014). The Latin word religio
refers to “something done with overanxious or scrupulous attention to detail” (Bowker 1997). This
term may have probably been derived from the Latin verb religare which means “to tie together, to
bind fast.”
In its original sense, the word refers to expression of proper piety, that is, binding to god
(Grassie 2010). Quite later, religion was used to designate formal belief systems and tenets. The
term was eventually applied to what we now call as religion because of the manner in which people
performed rituals during those days. While religion may be universal in all stages of human history,
it does not follow that all individuals are religious or even religious to some degree (Parrinder

ORIGINS OF RELIGION

Since the nineteenth century, people began to show great interest in explaining the origins
of religion. In fact, numerous theories have been postulated to explain the origin of religion while
looking at primitive societies for ideas concerning the development of belief systems (Hendry
1999).
Archaeologists believe that they have discovered elements of religious belief practiced by
Homo sapiens almost 60,000 years ago. Apart from burying the dead, various items such as foods,
tools, and other objects were placed inside the site. All these rituals imply reverence to their loved
ones and perhaps the thought that the dead will utilize these materials in the afterlife. While they
believe in the presence of supernatural entities, they also try to communicate with them (Ember &
Ember 1996).
 Name of
Proponent Explanation
Theory

Primitive people believed in souls or anima found in people

Edward Burnett (seen in dreams) and in all of nature. Since spirits could be
Animistic Tylor (1832-1917),
English
helpful or harmful to human beings, early people had to
Theories pray to these spirits, offer sacrifices, and appease or avoid
anthropologist
them.

Robert Henry In his investigation, he found out that the Melanesian

Codrington (1830- people believed in mana, a mysterious force that inhabited
1922), Anglican all of nature. All early people began their religion in
priest and cognizance of such force; the destructiveness of the mana
anthropologist can be avoided by establishing taboos.

Human beings first developed their religions from their

observations of the forces of nature. Early people became
aware of the regularity of the seasons, the tides and the
Nature-Worship phases of the moon, and began personalizing them by
Theory giving them names, describing their activities with tales that
transformed into mythology. Primitive people identified the
forces in nature, personified them, created myths, and
developed religions around them.
In Australia and Africa, basic cultures held a common belief
in a distant high god, that originally there had been one
Wilhelm Schmidt great god above all others, and that he may have been the
Theory of (1868-1954), creator of the world or the father of the many lesser deities.
Original Austrian This high god went away and had little contact with the
anthropologist and world that resulted in majority of attention and worship to
Monotheism ethnologist local deities. Primitive societies were originally
monotheistic, but because it was difficult to worship just one
god, religion was corrupted to polytheism.

Ludwig Andreas
von There were no gods and that belief in gods was simply wish
Feuerbach fulfilment. Troubled people who could not cope with the
Magic Theory (18041872),
difficulties in life projected their wishes and developed gods
German
philosopher and and religions
anthropologist
 SUMMARY

• Religion may refer to any set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices aimed at communicating or
propitiating with supernatural beings. Humans may recognize a superhuman being controlling
power (such as a god or spirit) that seeks worship and obedience from them.
• Various theories have been formulated that try to explain the origin of religions. Religion may
have originated in response to human’s need to explain their dreams and experiences as well as
the need to understand the different forces of nature, especially so that humans may have faced
pain and ignorance in their daily struggle for existence in early times.
• While religions are frequently viewed as sets of ideals practiced and followed by organized
groups, spirituality involves one’s integrative view of life that is more personal while affecting the
human soul.

What’s More

ACTIVITY 1: Answer the following questions:

1. How does your conception of a divine or supreme being compare with the
supernatural beings found in other religious beliefs?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you consider yourself religious, or spiritual? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. How does religion help explain man’s existence and role in the world?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. How did religion originate? Cite key theories to support your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. What are the common characteristics of religions?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
 6. Do you agree that the universe is designed and created by a single divine being or
God? Explain your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
7. How can an individual lead a spiritual life?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

ASSESSMENT
Direction: Choose
QUIZthe best answer from the box below.
NO.1

_____1. a belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the
human race and the world.
_____2. Relating or affecting the human spirit or soul that is one’s personal integrative
view on.
_____3. The belief that there is only one God who could have designed and created the
universe.
_____4. The belief in many principal Gads among whom no one is supreme.
_____5. The belief that there is no genuine distinction between God and universe.
_____6. Denial of the existence if God.
_____7. The belief that God’s existence is unknown and unknowable.
_____8. An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a God
or a group of gods.
_____9. A collection of beliefs about life and universe held by people.
_____10. The systematic study of existence and nature of the divine.

a. Theology f. Monism
b. Agnosticism g. Monotheism
c. Polytheism h. Atheism
d. Theism i. Religion
e. Worldview j. Spirituality
On to the Next Lesson
You have learned in this opening lesson the nature of religion and other
concepts related to belief systems. You have familiarized yourself with the different
theories on the origin of religions as humans continue their endless search to find
meanings and explanations in their everyday existence relative to the world around
them. The next lesson will take you into the historical, geographical, and cultural
contexts of various world religions of today.
 LESSON POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF RELIGION
2

What I Need to Know

The lines in the picture, taken from John Lennon’s song entitled “Imagine,” encourage the
listener to think of a world where nationalities and religions do not exist, for history has shown us
that so many wars have been fought in the name of nationality and religion. The song suggests
that instead of being caught up in the barriers and divisiveness brought by nationality or religion,
we should consider the possibility of living in a world at peace.
Religion has become a very important aspect in the development of civilizations and
cultures. In fact, most ancient societies based their worldviews on religion, and it has been proven
to be beneficial to the attainment and maintenance of social stability and cohesiveness. However,
as time went by, religion has also become the basis of conflicts between societies, even within
societies. While religion has promoted solidarity among societies, it has also been the reason
behind the outbreak of particular wars in history. In this lesson, we will discuss the positive and
negative effects of religion, as well as examples of historical events caused primarily by religion.

Dating back to the emergence of ancient societies, religion has already played an important
role in the lives of our ancestors. In Mesopotamia, for example, the Sumerians organized their
settlement into temple communities, wherein the temple was found at the center of their
communities and the veneration of their gods and goddesses govern their daily lives. They
believed that the lands which they tilled were owned by the deities that is why they offered part of
their harvest to their priest, who was also their leader and who was seen as people’s intermediary
to higher beings. In the absence of an organized religion, their concept of morality was based on
the belief that right actions earn the approval of the gods and goddesses and wrong actions may
cause punishment. Hence, the importance of ritual practices to appease the supernatural beings
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF RELIGION
whom they considered as having control over their lives.

1. Religion Promotes Social Harmony

Religion believes in supernatural beings and powers. It practices a set of rituals and
ceremonious rites of passage and rites of intensification. It also regards religious leaders
such as priests, priestesses and shamans in high esteem. These characteristics help
 Xiao, or filial piety, on the other hand, is a significant aspect
of Confucianism which promotes social harmony. Filial piety
refers to the attitude of obedience, devotion, and care of
one’s parents and elder family members. It serves as the
basis of moral conduct which, in effect, leads to social harmony.
Since political and social harmony were the primary concerns of
Confucianism, filial piety helps achieve this goal by maintaining
order in society. Children are expected not only to obey but defer
to parents’ judgments, as well as to perform the proper rituals for
them. In this way, social harmony is achieved since conflicts are
avoided.

Jainism also has a key concept which helps promotes social solidarity, which is called
ahimsa, or the concept of non-violence. For the followers of Jainism, ahimsa is not only a
worldview but a way of life. The killing and consumption of animals is strictly prohibited, for
it is central to the idea of ahimsa that they must minimize their violent impact on the
environment. Treating other people with respect is also a way of practicing ahimsa.
Followers of Jainism have a particular stand on issues, such as international conflict,
economic equality, abortion, and even civil rights. They make sure that they live their lives
2. Religion Provides Moral Values

Perhaps one of the most significant functions of religion is that it encourages moral
values. It provides a systematic model of the universe, which in effect determines
organized human behavior. By providing moral values, one is able to distinguish right
from wrong, good from evil. It also provides a system of reward and punishment that
administers and standardizes people’s behavior in society. Some people believe that it is
sometimes more effective than the laws implemented by the state, since most people give
more importance to the reward and punishment in the afterlife.

3. Religion Provides Social Change

Since religion is a source of moral values, religion provides social change. It can be
very effective in lobbying and campaigning for certain social issues using its own moral
teachings as the basis of argument. For example, the Church in the US has been active
in the campaign for civil liberties as well as the antislavery movement. In the Philippines,
much credit has been given to the Catholic Church for the success of the People Power
Revolution in 1986 when Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin urged the people to join the
protest rally to oust the dictator, former president Ferdinand Marcos. In general, religion
has the potential to institute social change, especially in the issues concerning poverty,
reproductive health, gender equality, and religious discrimination.
4. Religion Reduces Fear of the Unknown

Religion was developed from man’s need to have a sense of origin and destination; to
discover where they came from and where they are bound to go to when they die. Religion
provides answers for phenomena and questions that science or reason cannot explain.
Myths about the origin of people abound with stories of groups of people being created by
gods and goddesses, perpetuating the notion that people came from supreme beings and
will eventually go back to them in the afterlife. More importantly, religion has provided
assurances as to where spirits will go when people die, reducing people’s fear of death as
something undesirable. The belief in the afterlife has become very important in most
religions because it has become the basis for their daily conduct or how they live their
lives. In general, religion has provided people with answers to the unknown such as the
5. Religion
origin of lifeGives
and thePositive
concept ofGoals
afterlife.inExplanations
Life provided by religions have reduced
fears and anxieties among individuals and some religions have even made death a better
People were inspired by the stories of different prophets from their own religious
alternative to living
affiliations, like in uncertainty.
that of Moses, Siddharta Gautama, and Muhammad. These people showed
how ordinary people like them were given important missions in life, and how they struggled to
carry out their respective missions. Moses was ordered to liberate the Hebrews from slavery in
Egypt and lead them back to the promised land; Mohammed was chosen to challenge the
 6. Religion Gives People a Sense of Belonging

Just as family, ethnicity, or nationality give people a sense of belonging, so does

religion. For some, religion provides people with personal identity as part of a group with
similar worldviews, beliefs, values, practices, and lifestyles. It provides communities with
prospects to recognize and offer vital action and service to provide the needs of the larger
community. Belonging to a particular religion—whose members share the same beliefs,
practice the same rituals, and worship the same god—gives individuals a sense of being
in the right place with the right people. It also provides them with a sense of security
because other people who belong to the same religious group will tend to support and
help each other in times of crisis. A religious group or community can provide counsel,
help the sick and underprivileged, and give other services on a more personal level than
the government. Members of a religious community can have the assurance that they can
rely on other people’s help in times of need. They can also expect to have other people
rejoice with them in times of success. Religion can provide a sense of personal identity

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF RELIGION

1. Religion Affirms Social Hierarchy

Some religions affirm social hierarchy often favoring men and as a result,
perpetuate the notions of class or gender discrimination and oppression. Another
example of religion reflecting the hierarchy of political structures would be the
Confucian emphasis on the relations between the ruler and the subject, with the
former exercising authority over the latter. The traditional caste system in India would
also reflect how religion reflects political and social structures since it propagated the
2. Religion
idea that people Conflicts
Triggers had to be subdivided
and Fights into certain social classes with particular social
roles and that the attainment of moksha (union of universal soul and individual soul)
would depend on how they performed their duties based on their designated class.
Religion also has some aspects which make it susceptible to be a source of conflict and
war. History witnessed numerous lives sacrificed and lost in the name of religion. Wars
have been fought in the name of religion, and this phenomenon continues up to the present
time. In Palestine, the Jews are in conflict with the Muslims; in Kashmir, it is the Muslims
against Hindus; in Sudan, it is the Muslims opposite Christians and animists; in Sri Lanka, it
3. Religion as an Economic Tool for Exploiting the Masses

According to the German Philosopher Karl Marx “ Religion is the opium of the
Masses” This is in relation to his critical approach to religion in which he proposed
that the bourgeoise keep the proletariat in control through religion.

4. Religion Impedes Scientific Success and Development

Throughout history, religion has proven to impede scientific development. For

example, it has often been said that the Catholic Church used to teach that the
world is flat and warned people against going to faraway places if they do not wish
to fall off the edge of the earth. Another example would be the claim that the earth is
the center of the solar system, also known as the Ptolemaic theory. Aristarchus, and
later on, Nicolas Copernicus, proved that the sun is the center of the solar system
and all other planets move around it, hence advancing the heliocentric model.
Also, some religions have rituals that impede scientific success. Some are even
unsanitary which may cause more danger to people. For example, during the
cholera outbreak in the Philippines the catholic practice of having the dead body of
victims be brought to church for a mass was seen as one reason why the cholera
epidemic continued to spread rapidly.

5. Religion Causes Discrimination

Religion can also be source of discrimination or the prejudicial treatment of

different categories of people or things specially on the basis of race, sex, religion
and age.

6. Religion Obstructs the use of Reason

Many question the suitability of religious doctrine to the needs of the present
and the future generations. In order to put these dogma to practice, religion should,
therefore. Evolve and learn to adapt to the ever-changing world.
 HISTORICAL EVENTS CAUSED BY RELIGION

SELF – IMMOLATION OF A BUDDHIST MONK IN VIETNAM

Self-immolation, or the killing of oneself as a form of sacrifice, originally referred

to as the act of setting oneself on fire. But now it refers to a much wider range of suicidal
choices such as leaping off a cliff, starvation, or ritual removing of the guts (also known
as seppuku). It is used as a form of political protest or martyrdom. The case of self-
immolation reported by the Western media was that of a Buddhist monk named Thich
Quang Duc in Vietnam in 1963, who set himself on fire in the middle of a street in South
Vietnam. This was done in protest against the religious discrimination being experienced
by the Buddhists in Vietnam by the Roman Catholic regime of Ngo Dinh Diem.

WIDOW BURNING AMONG THE HINDUS IN INDIA

Sati, or the practice of self-immolation
of a widow on her husband’s funeral pyre, is
said to have originated 700 years ago in India.
It is believed to have started among the ruling
class or rajputs in India, when the rajput
women burnt themselves to death after their
men were defeated in battles to avoid being
taken by the conquerors. Later on, it has
become a manifestation of wifely devotion. It
has been outlawed by the British rulers in 1829
but rare cases still continue to occur.
 THE INQUISITION
Inquisition refers to the Roman Catholic Church
groups charged with subduing heresy from around 1184,
which includes the Episcopal Inquisition (11841230s)
and the Papal Inquisition (1230s). The Inquisition was a
response to large popular movements in Europe
considered heretical or profane to Christianity,
particularly Catharism (a Christian dualist movement
which espoused the idea of two gods, one being good
and the other evil) and Waldensians (a Protestant
Christian movement which advocated that apostolic
poverty is the way to perfection) in southern France and
southern Italy. The word “inquisition,” has somehow
become associated with the word “torture.” One
common form of torture was the strappado, wherein the
hands were bound behind the back with a rope, and the
accused was suspended this way, dislocating the joints
painfully in both arms
THE GODHRA TRAIN INCIDENT IN 2002

In February 2002, a train was set on fire in which 59 people, including 25 women and
15 children, were killed. The fire happened inside the Sabarmati Express train near the
Godhra railway station in the Indian state of Gujarat. Those who died inside the train were
mostly Hindu pilgrims and activists returning from the holy city of Ayodhya after a religious
ceremony at the disputed Babri Masjid site. It took six years for the commission appointed to
investigate the said incident to conclude that the fire was committed by a mob of 1000-2000
people. Thirty-one Muslims were convicted by the court for the incident and conspiracy for
the crime.
Although so many atrocities have been committed in the name of religion, we should
bear in mind that more often than not, there are other factors at play. Politics and economics
often play a key role in religious conflicts. Sadly, some political parties take advantage of
religious conflicts to pursue their own interests, and that is winning in the next elections. In
India, for example, political parties have been accused of using Hindu-Muslim conflict to
advance their own interests by ruling in favor of those who will give them the highest votes.
 SUMMARY

• Religion can be described as a double-edged sword: it can have both positive and
negative effects on society. It has played a very important role in the development of
societies by integrating and stabilizing them; however, it has also created conflicts.
• Some of its positive effects are: it promotes social solidarity; it is a source of moral
values; it nurtures positive goals in life; it gives people a sense of belonging; and it
fosters social change.
• Some of religion’s negative effects include: it affirms social hierarchy; it triggers
conflicts and fights; it promotes discrimination; it impedes scientific success and
development; and it hinders the use of reason.
• Some of the world’s atrocities and conflicts were caused by religion such as the self-
immolation of a Buddhist monk in Vietnam; the practice of sati or widow burning in
India; the Inquisition of the Catholic Church; and the Godhra train incident in India.

ACTIVITY

DIRECTION: Answer the following Questions:

1. Can you think of other cases of religious conflicts aside from the ones
mentioned?
2. Do you agree that sometimes religious conflicts are being used for political
reasons? Why or why not?
3. In your own opinion, can religious conflicts be avoided? If yes, how?
4. Do you think religious groups should have a say in political affairs? Why or why
not?

Assessment
A. Identification. Choose from the list below. Write the correct answer on the
blank.

a. Babri Masjid f. Indianization

b. Trepanning g. sati
c. Devaraja h. Strappado
d. Mount Meru i. Babaylan
e. Self-immolation j. Ayodhya
____1. Hindu concept of god-king.
____2. The process of spreading Hindu-Buddhist influences from India to Southeast
Asia.
____3. Place where the Hindu deities live according to Hindu cosmology.
____4. Spiritual leaders in ancient Philippine society who were mostly women.
____5. Name of the mosque destroyed by Hindu activists in India.
____6. Birthplace of Rama according to the Hindus.
____7. A form of torture used during the Inquisition.
____8. The Hindu practice of widow burning.
____9. The killing of oneself as a sacrifice.
____10. The ancient practice of boring holes in the human skull

B. Which effect of religion is referred to in the following sentences? Write the

letter of the correct answer.

Choices:
a. Religion promotes discrimination.
b. Religion promotes social solidarity.
c. Religion affirms hierarchy.
d. Religion sets positive goals in life.
e. Religion obstructs scientific success and development.
f. Religion reduces fear of the unknown.
g. Religion obstructs the use of reason.
h. Religion gives people a sense of belonging
i. Religion makes people fight each other.
j. Religion provides moral values.

_____1. Religion integrates and stabilizes cultures as well as nations.

_____2. Religion should be susceptible to progress.
_____3. Religion sets notions of right and wrong.
_____4. Religion promotes obscurantism.
_____5. Religion gives a sense of origin and destination.
_____6. Religion is a source of discrimination
 _____7. Religion gives a sense of purpose in life.
_____8. Religion makes good people do evil things.
_____9. Religion provides personal identity to individuals as part of a group with similar
world views, beliefs, values, practices and lifestyles.
_____10. Religion perpetuates notions of class or gender discrimination and
oppression.

LESSO
N ORIGIN OF WORLD RELIGONS
3

ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS
What I Need to Know
From the frontiers of West Asia developed the Abrahamic religions of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam, known as the first monotheistic religions of the world. They are
called Abrahamic religions because they all trace their origins to the great patriarch
Abraham and his descendants. Followers of these religions, namely the Jews, Christians,
and Muslims all believe that Abraham and his family played a significant role in the
beginnings of their respective faiths. Since these religions came from the same region, it is
not surprising that they share common beliefs, foremost of which is the belief that they share
common roots to the patriarch Abraham. Aside from this, they also share certain similarities
such as belief in one god. They also believe in heaven and hell; in prophets as instruments of
god in propagating his words to the people; in angels as messengers of god to humanity; and
in judgment day, among others. Today, Christianity is considered as the most popular
religion in the world based on the number of adherents, followed by Islam. Indeed, these
Abrahamic religions have largely influenced the world today
 What is It?
1. JUDAISM
Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion that traces its origin as an organized belief
system during the Bronze Age in West Asia. The religion of the Jewish people, Judaism is
one of three Abrahamic religions that also include Christianity and Islam. It is the religion
professed by the Jews known as the “People of the Book” in reference to their sacred text
written covering nearly a thousand years and formalized as a canon of teaching by the end of
the first century C.E. The picture below is the Torah which is the most important text of the
Jewish people. It contains the “Five Books of Moses” and many sacred laws. The Jews
consider themselves as the people chosen by God to serve as an exemplar of devotion and
purity to humankind.
It is quite difficult to study key events in the historical foundation of Judaism without
discussing the history of the Jewish people from the time of the Hebrews’ mass departure
from Egypt or the Exodus. During the 20th century, the growth in their population has
remained sluggish for quite a long time as it grew to only 25% after the catastrophic event
called Holocaust.
According to a 2014 report, there were around 14 million Jewish people representing 0.2%
of the entire world population. The largest concentration of Jews can be found in Israel, North
America (United States and Canada), and Central Europe. Other countries with sizable
Jewish population include France, United Kingdom, Russia, Argentina, Germany, and
 ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDING

1. Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world that originated in
West Asia.
2. The Jewish people consider themselves as the chosen people of God as they
must provide an example to the world of their moral behavior .

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF JUDAISM

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quiteencounter
difficult to withseparate an angel meritedofhim
the history a change
Judaism from ofthename historyfrom of Jacob
the Jews to
“Israel” which
themselves. Themeansancestors“the one of the whoJews wrestledwerewith group God.” The Jewish
of Semites people
called Hebrewsare referred
whose
to as the “children of Israel.” Among four different
origin can be traced in the desert lands of Arabia (Brown 1975). The origin of the Jewish women, Jacob fathered twelve sons
and one
people anddaughter. The twelve
the beginning SACRED sons who
of Judaism are SCRIPTURES
became
recorded the in ancestors
the first of thebooks
five tribesof in the
Israel were
Hebrew
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph,
Bible, the Pentateuch. As a religion and culture, Judaism has three notable founding
and Benjamin. After being sold to slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph was brought to
figures or patriarchs, namely, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These biblical patriarchs are
Egypt where his ability to see and interpret visions earned him a place in the court as a
the physical and spiritual forebearsbeen of the Jewish thepeople and their narratives can be found
vizier, a The Jewish
position nextpeople
only tohave the pharaoh. called
As famine “people
struckofCanaan,
the Book” in reference
Jacob and his family to the
in Hebrew
Genesis Bible 12-50(Tanakh
of their scripture.
or Mikra) that has been the authority, guide, and inspiration of
were forced to settle in Egypt.
the many Whileforms
Judaism the of Judaism
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 Another sacred writing of Judaism is the Talmud (or the “Oral Torah”) which
means “study.” All studies and interpretations done by Jewish rabbis or teachers of the
Torah are contained in the Talmud. In short, the Talmud is an authoritative collection
of rabbinic interpretations of the sacred scriptures. It contains materials of law and
moral codes. The Pentateuch is the single most important scripture for the Jewish
people.

WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

The Jewish community utilizes a lunar calendar with twelve months, each
beginning at the new moon of 29 or 30 days. Every festival and Sabbath commences
and terminates at dusk (or sunset) rather than midnight in adherence to the biblical
pattern. The Jewish calendar is followed in observance of festivities, holidays, and
community and family celebrations (Brasswell 1994). Jewish holidays are special days
observed to commemorate SABBATH
key events in Jewish history and other events that depict the
special connections with the world, such as creation, revelation, and redemption.
The most important day in the Jewish calendar is the
Sabbath (or Shabbat) which commemorates God’s
completion of the creation of the universe and his rest after the
six-day toil (Parrinder 1971). This is the fourth law within the
Ten Commandments. It begins a few minutes before sunset on
Friday and runs until an hour after sunset on Saturday or
almost 25 hours to be precise. At Friday sundown, Sabbath
candles are lighted and kiddush (“sanctification”) is recited over
wine or grape juice. Children are then blessed by their parents.
Jews must abstain from work and must study the Torah. Some
work prohibitions include lighting fires, using money, and
writing. The Sabbath ends through the symbolic ritual of
havdalah (“division”) done by dousing wine on candles and
smelling sweet spices.
PILGRIMAGE FESTIVALS

During the olden days, the Torah commanded the ancient Israelites to go to
Jerusalem on three pilgrimage festivals and participate in the worship at the Temple. Also
called the Shalosh Regalim, these are Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Weeks or
Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). These festivals spiritualize human life and merge
nature and history in a divine pattern.
Pesach is an eight-day festival that originally marked the beginning of the barley
harvest. Its principal purpose is to commemorate and recreate the Exodus of the
Jews from Egypt. A festive meal (seder) is celebrated wherein the story of Exodus is
narrated by the heads of the family to the children.
 OTHER IMPORTANT DAYS

There are many feasts and festivals celebrated by the Jewish people. The
family assumes the principal responsibility for worship, religious education, and
moral behavior (Braswell 1994). Rituals and ceremonies are done both at home and
in the synagogue.
Other important events in the Jewish calendar include the Hanukkah, Purim,
and the Independence day of the State of Israel ( Festival of Lights or Feast of
Dedication” is a celebration to commemorate the victory of Jewish fighters against
the Seleucid empire. Purim ( Feast of Easter) celebrates the deliverance of the
Jews during the Persian Empire.
WOMEN IN JUDAISM

Women’s role in the Jewish religion is determined by the Tanakh, the “Oral
Torah,” and Jewish customs. Mishnah instructs that women must follow nearly all the
negative commandments except trimming the beard and viewing a dead body. Women
must also follow all positive commandments not structured by time but are exempted
from those that are restricted by time. The reason here is quite simple, that is, to release
women from laws that they find difficult or impossible to perform given their traditional
domestic roles, such as giving birth, taking care of the family, and accomplishing
household chores. In addition, women have the right to be consulted on matters
concerning marriage. Judaism offers tremendous respect to roles given to women as
wives and mothers. Even Jewishness or the question of Jewish self-identification is
passed down through the mother.
For Orthodox Judaism, there exist different roles for men and women in their
religious lives. For example, it is sufficient for any woman to understand the practical
nature of the Torah, but she is traditionally excused from furthering her education
beyond that knowledge. In addition, she is dissuaded from studying the Talmud and
other complex Jewish writings up until the twentieth century. However, provision for
education for Jewish women has progressed rapidly in the past century. One interesting
phenomenon in Judaism is the concept of agunot or married women who wish to divorce
their husbands but whose husbands decline to do so. In Orthodox Judaism, only the
husbands are given this privilege.
Meanwhile, Conservative Judaism has acted upon several areas that enable
women to actively participate in Jewish rituals thereby minimizing legal disparity
between men and women. For example, women can now read the Torah in public and
be counted as part of a minyan.
 HOLOCAUST

The term Holocaust is of Greek origin that means “sacrifice by fire.” In history,
Holocaust pertains to the methodical, bureaucratic, and statesponsored persecution and
execution of around six million Jews undertaken by the Nazi regime and its collaborators
from 1933 to 1945. For the Hitler-led Nazis, the Germans were racially superior and
considered themselves as the master race as compared to the Jews who were seen as
inferior people. Hitler’s police chief, Heinrich Himmler, also believed in Aryan superiority
leading to the enslavement and extermination of “non-Aryans” and the inferior race. He
was one of the German officials directly responsible for the holocaust.
Another high-ranking German official, Reinhard Heydrich, became the chief
planner of the Nazis to wipe out the Jews in Europe (Perry 1988). Other groups that
were considered inferior were the Romani (or gypsies), some Slavic peoples (such as
the Poles and Russians), and even the physically and mentally handicapped.
Nonetheless, the Jews were perceived as the major threat to the German racial
community that had to be exterminated en masse especially since there were over nine
million Jews in Europe by 1993.
 ANTI-SEMITISM

The term anti-Semitism pertains to hostility towards and discrimination against

the Jewish people that was strongly felt in France, Germany, Poland, and Russia in the
late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The term was popularized in Germany around
1870s. The most common manifestations of anti-Semitism were the many violent riots or
pogroms undertaken against the Jews. The planned extermination of the entire Jewish
race of anti-Semitism. Other forms of anti-Semitic activities include the persecution and
massacre of Jews throughout history. during the time of the holocaust was the most
extreme form of anti-Semitism. Other forms of anti-Semitic activities include the
persecution and massacre of Jews throughout history.

SUMMARY

• The origin of the Jewish people and the beginning of Judaism are
recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Pentateuch.
• Judaism has three notable founding figures or patriarchs, namely,
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
These biblical patriarchs are the physical and spiritual forebears of the Jewish people.
• Judaism is anchored upon God’s revelation to Abraham that he is the
creator and ruler of the universe, and that he loves his creatures and
demands righteousness from them.
• The Jewish people have been called the “people of the Book” in
reference to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh or Mikra) that is divided into
three principal sections, namely the Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim.
• Jewish beliefs and doctrines are manifested in the Articles of Faith, in
the Ten Commandments, and in the 613 mitzvot or laws.
• Jewish holidays are special days observed to commemorate key
events in Jewish history and other events that depict the special
connections with the world, such as creation, revelation, and
redemption. These include Sabbath, Days of Awe, and pilgrimage
festivals.
• Synagogues are Jewish temples of worship, instruction, and
community fellowship.
 A. ACTIVITY: Answer the ff.

1.How does Judaism embody the importance of actions over beliefs?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2.How is Jewish history reflected in the observances and holidays of Judaism?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3.How do the various denominations of Judaism differ from one another?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4.What is the greatest lesson that you learned from the Holocaust? How can we
prevent such acts of brutality in world history?
_____________________________________

B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blanks provided.

______1. The rabbinic interpretation of the sacred scriptures. A. Anti-semitism

_____2. philosopher who formulated the ’13 Principles of Faith. B. Henrich Himmler
_____3. Eve of the Day of Atonement C. Sukkot
_____4. Form of discrimination against Jewish people. D. Rambam
_____5. The police chief and Hitler during the Holocaust E. Torah
_____6. The most important scripture of Jewish people F. Pentateuch
_____7. Nine-Day feast which recreates the 40-year of Israelites
In the desert. G. Talmud
_____8. Contains basic laws for self-understanding of mankind,
And Yahweh’s creation story. H. Reform Judaism
_____9. The denomination of Judaism that promotes women I. Kol Nidrei
 Equality in synagogues and in being rabbi. J. Bithia
_____10. The pharaoh’s daughter who raised Moses.

C. Watch one of these films: Exodus: Gods and Kings, Ten Commandments, Prince
of Egypt and Moses. Write a MOVIE REVIEW based on your understanding
about the video. Was the movie biblically accurate? Discuss the chosen movie
and share your insights.

LESSO
N CHRISTIANITY
4

Christianity is considered the most popular religion in the world with the most number of
adherents among all religions. Starting around the 1st century C.E., it developed out of Judaism
What I Need to Know
during the reign of the Roman Empire in West Asia. It centers on the life, teachings, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Messiah or Savior of humanity. The most
common symbol for Christianity is the cross, for Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross
to save humanity from their sins and to restore people’s relationship with God the Father.
Christians also believe in the Holy Trinity, which means God has three aspects—Father, Son,
and the Holy Spirit. It is believed that God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth to
redeem humanity from their sins for them to avoid the eternal flames of hell.
Although there has been a prophesy in Judaism that God the Father will send His only
Son to redeem humanity from their sins and to restore relationship with God, the Jews do not
accept that Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise. Instead, the Jews are still waiting for the
Messiah to be sent by God the Father. Christians, on the other hand, have accepted that Jesus
is the fulfillment of God’s promise. Nonetheless, Christianity is considered one of the first
monotheistic religions in the world and shares many similarities with Judaism in terms of belief
 SYMBOL
The symbols shown above are the most common symbols associated with
Christianity. The cross serves as a symbol of Jesus Christ’s victory over sins when He
died on the cross for humanity’s redemption and salvation. Christ died on the cross and
the cross serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by God in order for humanity to
live. In Roman Catholic churches, the crucifix is a regular feature, with the image of
Christ nailed on the cross.
This aims to emphasize Christ’s sufferings for humanity. Meanwhile, Protestant
churches often feature only the cross without the image of the body of Christ, to
emphasize Christ’s resurrection and not His suffering. Meanwhile, the fish symbol is as
old as Christianity itself, for it was used by persecuted Christians as a secret sign when
meeting other Christians. Because Christians were threatened by the Romans during
the time, they had to make a secret code to avoid persecution. Thus, when meeting
strangers on the way, a Christian would draw one arc of the fish outline, and if the
stranger drew the other half it means they are both Christians and therefore safe in
each other’s company. The word “fish” also has a secret meaning, for Christians made
an acrostic from the Greek word for fish, which is ichtys: Iseous Christos Theou Yios
Soter, meaning Jesus Christ, Son of God,Savior.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHRISTIANITY

Christianity developed in Palestine around 100 C.E. It was founded by Jesus,
considered to be the Son of God and Messiah or Savior. Regarded as an offshoot of
Judaism, Christianity has survived and even surpassed Judaism and other religions in
terms of number of adherents. Today Christianity is divided into three major sects—
Roman Catholicism, Greek Orthodox Church, and Protestantism. These major Christian
sects are further subdivided by Christian denominations that differ in certain beliefs and
practices but are united in worshipping Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
 HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Judea, the mountainous southern part of Palestine, was the home of Christianity.
During that time, Judaism was the dominant religion in Palestine and it was considered by
the Jews as land promised to them by God. However, historical developments in the
region we now call West Asia have shown that successive powers have dominated
Mesopotamia and nearby territories, including Palestine which is considered to have a
desirable location. Thus, it was conquered by the Assyrian Empire, then by the Babylonian
Empire which enslaved the Jews, then the Achaemenid or Persian Empire under Cyrus,
who permitted the Jews to return to their land. Soon the Greeks under the leadership of
Alexander the Great conquered West Asia including Palestine around 400 B.C. Then the
Romans conquered Jerusalem in 63 B.C. When Jesus was born, Palestine was still under
Roman rule.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS

The Catholic Church follows a certain hierarchy based on the Canon Law of the
Catholic Church. At the top of the hierarchy is the pope, considered as Peter’s successor.
The hierarchy also includes the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, and deacons.
Each member of the hierarchy has his own function for the efficiency of the church.
The Pope serves as the head of the Catholic Church, the inheritor of Peter. He has
his headquarters in the Vatican, an independent state in Rome. He is responsible for the
general supervision of the church. He is the head of the Catholic Church and the head of
the Vatican. He also has the authority to appoint administrative and religious officials in the
Vatican.
Next to the Pope are The Cardinals, who are also appointed by the Pope. The
cardinals represent the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church in different parts of the
world. They serve as advisers to the Pope and elect a new pope as the need arises, thus
they have the power to choose the successor of the outgoing pope. The body comprising
the cardinals is called the College of Cardinals.
The bishops also form part of the hierarchy. Bishops are teachers of the doctrine,
priests of sacred worship, and ministers of church government. They provide pastoral
supervision for a diocese and serve as representatives of the Church. The Pope himself is
a bishop. A bishop is ordained to his station, just like priests.
Next to the hierarchy are the priests, who are ordained ministers responsible for
the administering of the sacraments, such as the Eucharist, Marriage, Baptism, and
 DEITY/GOD

Christians believe in one God; therefore Christianity is a monotheistic religion. God

is seen as the creator and maintainer of the universe, and is believed to be omnipotent
(all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (all-present), and
omnibenevolent (all-good). God is also sacred, moral, unchangeable, compassionate,
graceful, and timeless.

HOLY TRINITY

Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, which means that God is composed of
three persons: God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This
doctrine of the Holy Trinity was affirmed at the Council of Nicea in 25 C.E. where it was
agreed upon that the Son has the same substance with the Father, therefore they are both
eternal. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity was Christianity’s way to end the controversy
generated by Arianism, a teaching by Arius which claimed that Jesus Christ was not
actually a God.

SACRED SCRIPTURES

The Bible is considered the sacred scripture of Christianity. It is a collection of

songs, stories, poetry, letters, history, as well as literature. It is composed of two books,
the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is considered the original
Hebrew Bible, written between 1200 and 165 B.C.E. The New Testament was written by
Christians around 100 C.E.
 BELIEF/DOCTRINES

Christianity has certain beliefs and doctrines that serve as moral guidelines for its
followers. As much as possible, Christians should follow these teachings strictly if they
want to redeem God’s promise of eternal life. These teachings are essential to their belief
system as Christians and not following them would lessen their chances of being called
true Christians and reduces their chances of salvation in the afterlife.

TEN COMMANDMENTS

Also called the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments are a set of laws given by
God to the people of Israel at Mt.Sinai through Moses. In Exodus, God gave Moses the
tablets containing the Ten Commandments, which Moses smashed into pieces because of
extreme anger when he saw the golden calf idol created and worshipped by the Hebrews.
God gave Moses another set to replace the broken one.
The Ten Commandments are said to appear twice in the Bible, in Exodux 20:1-17,
and at Deuteronomy 5:-21. They are meant to guide Christians on how to behave within
the family, society, and most especially with respect to God.
 SEVEN SACRAMENTS

The Catholic Church has seven sacraments which are considered signs of
inner kindness given by God for Christians to live a genuine human life. The seven
sacraments include Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Matrimony,
Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick. The first three sacraments are Baptism,
Confirmation, and Holy Communion, which are considered the sacraments of initiation.
Baptism is meant to remove the guilt and effects of Original Sin and welcome the baptized
to the Church. Confirmation, which should be administered right after Baptism, is meant to
complete Baptism and bring the baptized the graces of the Holy Spirit that were given the
Apostles on Pentecost Sunday. Holy Communion entails the reception of Christ’s body
and blood which helps Christians grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Confession is
considered the fourth sacrament, which is meant to reconcile Christians with God by
confessing their sins. The Sacrament of Marriage comes next, with the union of a man
and a woman for the purpose of procreation and mutual support. It also reflects the union
of Jesus Christ with His Church. The Sacrament of Holy Orders is considered the
continuation of Christ’s priesthood which He passed on to His apostles. And the last
sacrament is the Anointing of the Sick, also known as Extreme Unction or Last Rites,
which is administered to those who are on the verge of death or are seriously ill, or about to
undergo a serious operation for physical and mental strength.
STORY OF CREATION AND BIGBANG THEORY

The Story of Creation, which narrates how God created the universe in six
days, is found in Genesis 1 of the Old Testament. It narrates how God created light and
darkness on the first day; the sky and the ocean on the second day; the earth and plants
on the third day; the sun, moon, and the stars on the fourth day; sea creatures, land
animals, and birds on the fifth day; and finally the first man and woman on the sixth day,
after which He rested on the seventh day. This story has often been attributed as the one
which explains the origin of the universe from a Christian point of view. Other religions
would offer their own explanations on the origin of the universe. Science also has its own
theories on how the universe began. The most accepted among scientists is the Big Bang
Theory, which states that the universe began as an incredibly hot, very dense point in
space about 14 billion years ago. It then underwent rapid expansion in no time and, as it
cooled, led to the creation of stars, galaxies and planets.

WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

Christians have certain religious observances in which they commemorate

particular events in the history of Christianity. Some of the most important Christian
observances are Advent, Lent, and Pentecost.

Advent refers to the season of waiting for the birth of the Messiah, hence its
 PENTECOST - Pentecost is celebrated as a holiday to commemorate the coming
of the Holy Spirit to the early Christians. Thus, Pentecost is also celebrated as the birthday
of the Church. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentekostos, which means
“fifty,” pertaining to the Jewish holiday celebrated every fifty days from the end of Passover
to the beginning of the next holiday (also known as Shavuot).The event was recorded in
the New Testament, in The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2, which narrates how the first
Christians came together in one place when suddenly they heard a sound coming from
heaven and tongues of fire rested on their heads

SELECTED ISSUES
We have discussed how the Christian Church was subdivided into different sects. In
order to address the issue of disunity among Christians, the concept of ecumenism was
adopted by the Roman Catholic Church. Thus, ecumenism is one important issue in
Christianity. Still, there are some issues which are in conflict with Christian teachings,
concerning sexuality (especially issues of contraception, abortion, and homosexuality);
divorce; capital punishment and euthanasia.

ECUMENISM - Ecumenism refers to the effort of the Catholic Church to sponsor

activities and initiatives to promote mutual understanding and unity among all Christians.
Ecumenism can also be described as the promotion of worldwide Christian unity. The goal
of ecumenism is Christian unity. This is rooted in the prayer of Jesus Christ "that they all
may be one" in his farewell discourse, or "high priestly prayer" (John 17:20-26).

SEXUALITY - The issue of sexuality has always been controversial for the
 The Catholic Church states that homosexual orientation itself is not a sin, it is
nevertheless a tendency towards the "moral evil" of homosexual sexual activity. It also
states that when God created humans He created male and female only, and that their
union is meant for procreation. Thus, in the Christian line of thinking, homosexuality should
not be practiced since it is not in accordance with God’s plan. The Church does not allow
same-sex marriage and is vocal in opposing homosexual relationships. Nevertheless, while
the Church condemns homosexual acts (sexual activity), being homosexual (orientation) is
not wrong or sinful in itself. It also states that homosexual persons must be accepted with
respect, compassion, and sensitivity.
FAMILY AND DIVORCE - The Christian view on marriage is based on Matthew 19:-6, “He
who made man from the beginning, made them male and female. And he said: For this
cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall
be in one flesh. Therefore, now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath
joined together, let no man put asunder.” Thus, divorce is not allowed in the Catholic
Church, since it believes in the sanctity of marriage, which should be a lifetime bond
between a man and a woman, and is considered a legal bond on earth and a spiritual bond
in heaven.
If couples wish to separate, they could seek an annulment, also known as
Decree of Nullity, in which it is declared that the marriage was never valid in the first place.
But unlike divorce, annulment entails a long, tedious, and expensive process, in which a
partner has to prove that his/her partner is psychologically incapacitated to understand the
commitment marriage entails, or one of the partners has deliberately hid some information,
such as previous marriage, impotence, or infertility.
 SUMMARY

• Christianity is one of the first monotheistic religions in the world. It considers God
as the creator and maintainer of the universe—omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and
omnibenevolent.
• The Bible is considered the sacred scripture of Christianity and is the basis of the
religion's teachings.
• According to Christianity, since human beings are created in the likeness of God,
they are intrinsically good; but they are also given free will so they are considered prone to
sin and in need of grace.
• The goal of every individual is to have eternal life of the soul after death.
For those who have become good Christians, the reward is eternal life in heaven; for
those who lived a life full of sins, the punishment is eternal damnation in hell.

A. ACTIVITY: ANSWER THE FF.

 1. Why is the concept of Holy Trinity confusing for some Christians and non-
Christians alike?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. Despite the split in Christianity into numerous sects, what bind these religious
sects together?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. What does Christianity share with Judaism in terms of beliefs and practices?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

B. Modified true or false. Write the word TRUE if the statement is true.
Otherwise, write the word FALSE and change the underlined word to make
the statement correct.

__________1. Christianity is considered the world’s largest religion.

__________2. Followers of Christianity are called Catholics.
__________3. Christianity started in the 2nd century CE in a land called Palestine.
__________4. According to a 2010 survey, Brazil is the country with the largest number
of Christians in the world.
__________5. Christianity was born in an era when Palestine was colonized by the
Muslims.
__________6. Pontius Pilate was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity.
__________7. Martin Luther King formed a Christian sect named Protestantism as a
reaction to the abuses of the Catholic Church.
__________8. Christianity believes in the Holy Trinity but remains a monotheistic
religion.
__________9. The Sacrament of Confirmation is considered the continuation of
Christ’s priesthood which He passed on to His apostles.
 __________10. The Big Bang Theory narrates the origin of the universe and humanity
according to the Bible.

C. MATCHING TYPE: Match the terms in column A. to their equivalent

meanings in column B. Write the letter of the correct answer .

____1. Season in preparation for Easter. A. Messiah

____2. Successor of Christ as Head of the Church B. Trinity
____3. Split between Roman Catholicism and Greek C. Peter
____4. Basic beliefs D. Ecumenism
____5. Coming of the Holy Spirit on the early Christians E. Pentecost
____6. Savior F. Euthanasia
____7. Self-flagellation G. Great Schism
____8. Mercy killing H. Penitensiya
____9. Mutual understanding among all Christians I. Lent
____10. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. J. Creed

D. TIMELINE: make a timeline of important events in the history of Christianity

and explain briefly the significance of each event.

LESSON
ISLAM
5
Established around seventh century C.E., Islam is the youngest among the world’s
major religions. With more than 1.5 billion adherents comprising almost one-fourth of the
entire world population, Islam is
the second largest group and one of the fasting growing religions in the world.
Majority of Muslims, the followers of Islam, live in Asia and Africa. There are 49 countries in
the world that are Muslim-majority or comprise 50% of the population. The 1.2 billion
Muslims in these countries equivalent to 74% of the entire Muslim population worldwide.
More than 60% of the world’s Muslims can be found in Asia, including Indonesia, Pakistan,
India, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Iran. Indonesia is the world’s most populous
Muslimmajority country with almost 87% of the population practicing the Islam religion. In
Africa, sizeable Muslim communities are found in Egypt and Nigeria.
 SYMBOLS

The star and crescent has become the acknowledged representation of the Star
and Crescent Islamic faith. The symbol can be seen in the national flags of states that
came about following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century. Around the
1970s, it was adopted by movements that advocated Arab nationalism. Traditionally, the
crescent moon or the hilal has early connections with royalty. It is also closely linked to the
lunar calendar that orders the religious life of the Muslims.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Islam began with the Arabian desert people around early seventh century
C.E. These people had developed their own set of beliefs prior to the formal establishment
of Islam and had been influenced by other religions for a long period of time, including
Byzantine Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.
Apart from worshipping a pantheon of gods, pre-Islamic religion was also animistic
in character. Spirits found in rocks, trees, and wells had to be revered at their sanctuaries
and placated for assistance. In time, the city of Mecca became a sacred shrine because of
these animistic associations (Hopfe 1983). A meteoric stone that had fallen in Mecca
centuries before became an object of veneration to the animistic people. Pilgrims then built
an enclosure around the stone and called it Kaaba. Various images and relics gradually
filled the Kaaba, including a painting of Jesus and Mary. Pilgrims travelled to Mecca to
worship at the shrine. The “Black Stone,” which according to Muslim tradition dates back
to the time of Adam and Eve, eventually became a very important object for the Meccans at
the time when various clans struggled to control the Kaaba. Mecca, situated on the central
western coast of Arabia is positioned on the major north-south caravan route.

THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD

Around the year 570 C.E., Muhammad ibn Abdullah was born in the oasis town
of Mecca just off the western coast of the Arabian Peninsula (Karabell 2007).
Muhammad’s father died before he was born while his mother died before he was six years
old. He belonged to the clan of Hashim of the Quraysh tribe that controlled the Kaaba and
the camel trade that passed through Mecca. Following the tradition, he was sent to be
reared among the Bedouins. When his mother died, Muhammad was raised by his
 Around the year 610 C.E., Muhammad began hearing the voice of God in a cave on
the summit of Mount Hira, just outside Mecca in the Arabian Hijaz. God was speaking to
Muhammad in the Arabic language (Armstrong 2000; Karabell 2007). Mostly auditory but
occasionally in visual form, he began to experience divine revelations delivered by the
angel Gabriel (Renard 1992). Muhammad first disclosed these revelations only to his wife
since revealing these messages to his tribe could disturb the social order that was primarily
anchored on clan and kinship. He was preaching a new order built upon God’s will and
human submission to this belief.
The term “Islam” originated from an Arabic word meaning “submit.” In other words,
Islam means to “surrender or submit oneself for obedience to God” or to “enter into a
condition of peace and security with God through allegiance and surrender to him”
(Armstrong 2000; Bowker 1997). On the other hand, the word “Muslim” is the Arabic word
for a person who submits.
A Muslim, therefore, is a “person who surrenders or submits himself to obey God”
(Brown 1975). In Arabic, the word “Allah” is a compound of al (the definite article, the) and
ilah (god or deity). Joined together, the words signify “god” (Renard 1993). Henceforth, he
is called Allah or “the one who is God.” Muhammad was preaching that there can only be
one God.
In 622 C.E., Muhammad and his group moved to Medina (then known as Yathrib,
200 miles north of Mecca) to escape persecution from the Meccans. The flight of
Muhammad from Mecca to Medina is known as hijra which marked the beginning of the
Islamic calendar. Mired in frequent gridlock, Medinian tribes wanted Muhammad to become
their leader (Karabell 2007). The Muslims who follow Muhammad in his journey are known
as Muhajirun (“those who made the hijra”) while those who supported him in Medina are
known as Ansar (“the helpers”). Their descendants are honored in the Islam religion
(Bowker 1997). With local tribes involved in frequent internal strife, Muhammad restored
peace and order in Medina. Shortly after his arrival in 622 C.E, he united the Medinian
tribes under one constitution.
Muhammad and his followers waged a constant battle against Meccan tribes until
630 C.E. Finally, after almost eight years of struggle, Muhammad and his troops of around
ten thousand converts marched to Mecca and took over the city almost unopposed. In
Kaaba, he tore down the three hundred sixty pagan idols displayed at the holy shrine.
In 632 C.E., Muhammad died at the age of 62 but his newly founded religion had
spread across the entire Arabian Peninsula and the Muslims had been united as one
religious community. He was a classic example of a just, compassionate, honest, and
brave human being far removed from all evil deeds. Muhammad’s actions were solely for
the sake of Allah as he is ever mindful and fearful of his one true god (Ibrahim 1997). God
has made all revelations to Muhammad, the last of the prophets and the seal of the
prophecy.
 SACRED SCRIPTURES

THE Q’URAN - The sacred writing of the Muslims is called Quran (or Koran in
English) that literally means “recitation” or “reading.” The Quran is the revelation from God
of his speech (kalam) and is the foundation of the Islam religion. It is the supreme authority
in all matters of faith, theology, and law. In comparison, the Quran has almost the same
length as the New Testament, the Christian biblical canon. The chapters that compose the
Quran are called surahs while the verses are called ayahs which mean “evidence” or
“sign.” There are 114 chapters in the Quran, 86 of which are classified as Meccan while 28
are Medinian. The hijra or the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina serves as a
pivot point in the division of the Quranic verses that belong before or after the said
emigration in 622 C.E
A person who is able to memorize the Quran in its entirety is called hafiz
(“guardian”). The female counterpart is called hafiza. Whatever denomination Muslims may
belong to, they always have the same Quran written in Arabic similar to the early days of
Islam’s founding. No two copies of the Quran anywhere in the world differ in any way.

THE HADITH - The hadith is the collection of the deeds and sayings of Muhammad and
his followers (“traditional reports or sayings”) and is the second source of shari’a law
(Horrie & Chippindale 2003). Unlike the Quran that was officially compiled under the
auspices of a central authority (as initiated by the first caliph Abu Bakr), the hadiths were
collected generations after the death of Muhammad. The hadiths are recognized today as
second in authority after the Koran.

FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

The basic obligations of Muslims are called the Five Pillars of Islam or
arkan al-din. While differences may occur in the interpretation of Islamic law, all
Muslims believe and accept the entirety of these obligations that must be strictly
observed to avoid being sent to hell on the “Day of Judgment.” The Five Pillars
give structure and unity to all believers of Islam.
Foremost among all Muslims’ obligations is the declaration of their statement
of belief called shahada (“witness”) that is recited during prayers and rituals. Apart
from shahada, the four other duties that must be performed by all Muslims are
collectively called as ibadah (“state of submission”). The ibadah aims to discipline
the adherents and eliminate impostors to the Islamic faith. The ibadah is composed
of praying five times a day, fasting during the time of Ramadan, giving of annual
charity, and undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a Muslim’s lifetime.
 1. THE CREED ( SHAHADA )

The basic creed of Islam that “there is no God but Allah; Muhammad is
the messenger of Allah” is known as shahada. In Arabic, the shahada is recited
as “La ilaha illa Allah; Muhammadon rasul Allah.” These are the very first words
uttered into an infant’s ear and perhaps the last words given to a dying Muslim. The
shahada asserts that Allah is the only divinity and that he has relayed his will through
Muhammad.

2. OBLIGATORY PRAYER ( SALAT )

Just as the body requires food for its daily sustenance, prayers are done for
spiritual development so that a Muslim’s character and conduct remain sound and
healthy (Aziz 1993). Facing in the direction of Mecca or qiblah, Muslims must offer
prayers or salat five times each and every day—before sunrise (as-subh), noon (az-
zuhr), mid-afternoon (al-asr), immediately after sunset (al-maghreb), and before
midnight (al-isha) (Horrie & Chippindale 2003). In a mosque or masjid (“place of
prostration”) where Muslims offer prayers in congregation, men and women pray
separately. A structure of masjid can range from a simple desert prayer ground
(musalla) or just any space whereby rules of ritual purity are properly observed.

3. POOR TAX ( ZAKAT )

Muslims who live above the subsistence level must pay zakat or the poor tax
to aid the underprivileged Muslims. Affluent Muslims must share their wealth to the
unfortunate ones. Originally, almsgiving was for the benefit of the poor, widows,
and orphans through an act of charity. Later on, it became mandatory amounting to
a certain percentage of a Muslim’s total resources. Islam has never viewed begging
as dishonorable.

4. FASTING (SAWM)
Fasting or sawm during the entire 30 days of Ramadan, the ninth month
of the Islamic calendar, must be performed by all Muslims every year. The Ramadan
is believed to be the month when Muhammad received the first surah of the Quran.
The sawm is done by all Muslims to express obedience to Allah and the readiness to
relinquish pleasures in their lives. By undertaking sawm, Muslims observe discipline
and experience the deprivations of the poor (Bowker 1997). During this time, a
Muslim must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in any sexual
intimacy from dusk until dawn. By resisting the demands of the body during sawm,
the Muslims strengthen their will. Muslims are reminded that they have the capacity
to ignore the longing of the body or material gratification.
 5. PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA (HAJJ)

All Muslims must attempt to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy city of

Mecca or hajj (“visitation of Holy Places”) at least once in their lifetime during the
twelfth Islamic month. The “Grand Mosque” (Al-Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca houses
the most sacred site of Islam, the Kaaba (“House of Allah”). The Kaaba is a cube-
shaped ancient stone building that dates back to the time of Adam and Eve
according to Muslim tradition. Muslims believe that the Kaaba was originally built for
the worship of God by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The Kaaba represents the end
of a journey because it is the symbolic point of origin of all creation wherein all things
turn around it and from it all things radiate.
Inside the Kaaba is the “Black Stone,” twelve inches in diameter, located on
the eastern cornerstone of the building that was set intact into the wall by
Muhammad himself in 605 C.E. A fragmented dark rock often described as
meteorite, the “Black Stone” has been polished smooth by the pilgrims through time.
Broken into a number of fragments, it is now cemented into a silver frame on the
eastern corner of the Kaaba. Some poets consider Muhammad himself as the
Kaaba of prophetic revelation while the Kaaba is the “seal of his prophethood”.
 WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

The Islamic calendar is composed of 12 lunar months of between 29 and 30

days. A year in the Islamic calendar constitutes a total of 354 days. The difference
between the solar and lunar calendar is adjusted by adding one day to the last
month of the year 11 times each 30 years. Nonetheless, 103 Islamic years are the
equivalent of 100 solar years despite the periodic modifications done on the calendar
(Hopfe 1983). Table 6.1 lists some of the most important festivals celebrated by
Muslims worldwide.

Month Festivities/Significance

Month 1: Muharram (“The Sacred • The Islamic year starts in the day of
Month”) the hijra, Muhammad’s journey from Mecca
to Medina in 622 C.E.
• Ashura: The assassination of the
Imam Husayn at Karbala’ in
680 C.E. is commemorated on the 10th by
Shi’ite Muslims
Month 3: Rabi al-Awai (“The • Birth of the Prophet: Muhammad’s birthday
Spring”) is celebrated on the 12th.

Month 9: Ramadan (“The Month • Muslims do not eat or drink during

of Great Heat”) daylight hours throughout the month.
• Laylat al-Qadr: The commemoration of
the first revelation to the prophet is often
celebrated on the 27th.

Islamic jurisprudence or the science of Islamic law is called fiqh. All aspects
of Muslim way of life and actions are covered through fiqh. Human behavior may be
classified into five categories: forbidden (haram), discouraged (makruh), neutral
(mubah), recommended (mandub), and obligatory (fard). Forbidden actions are both
sinful and criminal under pain of punishment. Accordingly, it is forbidden for all
Muslims to eat animals that have died from natural causes or those animals that
were not ritually slaughtered. Pork is considered as the most unclean of all meats
and must not be eaten no matter how the pig meat was produced. Other haram
behaviors include drinking blood, eating dried blood, and taking liquors.

ISLAM AND WOMEN

 The role of women in Muslim societies is a complicated subject since their
rights vary greatly throughout Islamic nations. While they may experience harsh
restrictions in terms of legal rights and employment opportunities, women rulers
have emerged in the twentieth century to lead Asian countries such as Bangladesh,
Pakistan, and Turkey.
Women in Islam must accept that their roles in society vary greatly when
compared to men. Foremost, they must remain obedient to their fathers and
husband. A surah in the Quran depicts a woman’s father or husband as master and
portrays the superiority of men on women.
All Muslims are required to observe the Five Pillars of Islam. However,
congregational prayers tend to be dominated by men while this activity remains
optional for women. It is prohibited for any woman to lead prayers. When a woman
is having her usual menstrual period, she must not enter any mosque. In some
countries, Muslim women are required to cover their face and bodies when in
company with men other than their immediate kin.
Meanwhile, with so many restrictions imposed by society upon Muslim women,
the Quran assures women the right to own, dispose, and inherit properties and
earnings, to participate in political exercise, and to sue for divorce. In other words,
a complete, legal identity is guaranteed by the Quran to Muslim women (Horrie &
Chippindale 2003). Husbands are also encouraged to treat their wives well.
Mothers must be treated in the best way possible as stated in Quranic teachings.
While the West has labeled Islam as anti-woman, the opposite may be true
because of the religion’s pro-equality stance on many issues. For example,
traditional Islamic law holds that women cannot be denied of education, cannot be
forced into marriage, can divorce their husbands, and can vote and hold office.
Unfortunately, there are Muslim societies that do not always measure up to Islamic
standards.
The Quran views women as spiritually equal to men. As both shall be
assessed during the “Day of Judgment,” they must both perform good deeds.
Nevertheless, despite the elevation in the status of women in Muslim society, they
SUMMARY

• The history of Islam is closely bound with the life story of

Muhammad who is recognized by the Muslims as the last of the
prophets.
• The sacred writing of the Muslims is called Quran (or Koran in
English) that literally means “recitation” or “reading.”
• The basic obligations of Muslims are called the Five Pillars of
Islam or arkan al-din and all Muslims believe and accept the entirety
of these obligations. The Five Pillars give structure and unity to all
believers of the Islamic religion.
ACTIVITY.
• The major denominations of Islam include Sunni, Shi’a, and
 A. ANSWER THE FF.

1. In what way is Islam similar to Christianity?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. How do the Five Pillars of Islam give a sense of unity and structure to the religion
as followed by all Muslims worldwide?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. How do you think global terrorism affected Islam as a religion in the eyes of the
world?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
4. What negative effects did it have on innocent Muslims in their everyday lives?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

B. True or False. Write T if the statement is true and F if the

statement is false.
_______1. Muhammad ibn Abdullah worked as a camel driver across the
Arabian Peninsula.
_______2. The longest surah has 268 ayahs.
_______3. Zayd ibn Thabit wrote on leather scraps, stone pieces, ribs of palm
leaves, shoulder blades of animals, and paper.
_______4. The zakat must be 2.5% of a person’s entire asset.
_______5. Ritual washing or wudu is required before prayer.
________6. The Quran is binding, continuous and supreme.
________7. Muslims whose concern mainly dwell for a mystical union with God
belong to Sunni Islam.
______8. According to figh, human behavior may be classified into four categories.
_______9. Jihad means “effort” or “struggle” to convince unbelievers to pursue the
Muslim way of life.
________10. Salat is done before sunset, noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset, and after
midnight.

C. Choose the best answer from the box below.

____1. Known as the start of the Islam Calendar.

____2. Declaration of belief.
____3. Annual wealth tax.
____4. Collective term for the remaining four duties.
____5. “Black Stone”.
____6. Direction of Mecca
____7. Authored the Sahih-al-Bukhari
____8. Those who memorized the Quran
____9. Traditional reports or sayings of Muhammad and his followers.
____10. Circling the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction.

a. Hadith g. Ibadah
b. Kaaba
c. “Guardian” h. Giblah
d. Shahada
e. Hijra i. Imam Bukhari
f. Zakat j. Tawaf