Religion's Impact: Boon or Vain

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a negative effect of religion?

Religion reduces fear of the unknown (correct)

Religion triggers conflicts and fights

Religion affirms social hierarchy

Religion causes discrimination

The moral and social obligation is referred to as ______.

Dharma

What is Ahimsa?

The concept of non-violence in Jainism.

Sewa, in Sikhism, promotes selfishness among individuals.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following promotes social harmony according to Confucianism?

Filial piety Signup and view all the answers

What do Babaylanes do?

They intercede between the deities and people, continue rituals, play as healers, and act as cultural leaders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the Latin word 'Religio'?

Something done with overanxious or scrupulous attention to detail Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'spiritual'?

Relating or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things Signup and view all the answers

What is the verb root of the Latin word 'spiritus'?

Spirare, which means 'to breathe' literally Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of spirituality?

It involves a quest for the meaning and ultimate value of life Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the philosophy of religion?

Analysis on the existence of a divine being or on sacred texts Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'theology'?

The systematic study of the existence and nature of the divine Signup and view all the answers

According to Sigmund Freud, a healthy mature person can face problems without the need of God or religion.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated time period when Homo sapiens began burying their dead?

60,000 years ago Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following theories of religion suggests that people attempted to control nature through magic?

Magic theory Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Objectives

Identify both positive and negative effects of religions.
Provide historical evidence linking religion to significant events.
Justify the dual impact of religion on society.
Gather various media showcasing religion's effects.

Key Terms

Babaylanes/Catalones: Spiritual leaders in the Philippines who intercede between deities and people, perform rituals, serve as healers, and act as cultural leaders.
Xiaoor Filial Piety: A fundamental aspect of Confucianism promoting social harmony and respect for family.
Ahimsa: Jainism's principle of non-violence, central to minimizing violence against all living beings, influencing lifestyle choices.
Satyagraha: Philosophy of nonviolence asserting that non-cooperation with evil reveals truth.
Dharma: Refers to moral and social obligations within various religious contexts.
Karma: Concept of moral consequences resulting from one's actions.
Balanghay: A burial practice in the Philippines where a chieftain is interred in a ship with belongings for the afterlife.
Sewa: Selfless service in Sikhism that fosters a sense of belonging and community.

Positive Effects of Religion

Promotes Social Harmony: Fosters unity and peace among different groups.
Provides Moral Values: Establishes ethical guidelines that encourage good behavior and responsibility.
Encourages Social Change: Drives movements for justice and positive reform within societies.
Reduces Fear of the Unknown: Offers comfort and answers regarding life and afterlife uncertainties.
Gives Positive Goals in Life: Inspires followers to pursue meaningful objectives and altruistic endeavors.
Fosters a Sense of Belonging: Creates community connections and support networks through shared beliefs.

Negative Effects of Religion

Affirms Social Hierarchy: Reinforces class distinctions and maintains power dynamics in society.
Causes Discrimination: May lead to bias against non-believers or other faiths.
Triggers Conflicts and Fights: Can incite violence and wars rooted in religious differences.
Economic Exploitation: Used as a tool by some to manipulate and exploit disadvantaged groups.
Impedes Scientific Progress: Sometimes rejects scientific findings or rational inquiry in favor of religious doctrine.
Obstructs Reasoning: May discourage critical thinking by prioritizing faith over empirical evidence.

Understanding the Nature of Religion

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, highlighting the importance of faith over personal understanding.
Worldview is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by individuals.
Monism posits that God is innate within the universe, suggesting that the universe is a manifestation of God rather than an independent reality.
Polytheism, seen in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman religions, acknowledges multiple gods without a single supreme deity.
Monotheism is the belief in one all-powerful God as the creator of humanity and the universe.
Theism refers to the belief in one god as the creative source.
Agnosticism is the philosophy that one cannot know the existence of God.
Atheism is the denial or disbelief in a personal god.

Nature of Religion

Defined as an organized system of beliefs, rituals, and rules for worshiping a deity or deities.
Latin terms:
- Religio: indicates a meticulous attention to detail in worship.
- Religare: means to bind or connect individuals within a religious context.

Origin of Religion

Evidence suggests Homo sapiens practiced burial rituals around 60,000 years ago, indicating early religious beliefs in an afterlife.

Theories of Religion

Animistic Theory: Belief in souls or spirits (anima) within individuals and nature.
Nature Worship: Reverence for natural cycles, such as day and night.
Theory of Original Monotheism: Proposes that ancient peoples recognized one God.
Magic Theory: Attempts to control and understand natural phenomena, such as weather.

Sigmund Freud's Perspective

Suggested that healthy individuals can confront life's challenges without reliance on God or organized religion.

Characteristics of Religion

Collective aspect: Religion exists as a social reality shared by groups.
Sacred relation: Governance of behavior concerning the sacred and supernatural.
Moral beliefs: A framework of beliefs and ethical guidelines for adherents.
Practice expectations: Followers are urged to partake in rituals and practices signifying the sacred.

Exploring Spirituality

Spirituality relates to the human spirit or soul, contrasting with physical or material aspects of existence.
Derived from the Latin 'spiritus', driving the concept of breath and life essence.
Theology systematically studies the existence and nature of the divine, distinct from personal religious beliefs.
Philosophy of Religion analyzes divine existence, sacred texts, and the experiences and practices of worship and meditation.
Spirituality can exist independently of organized religion, representing a personal quest for meaning and value in life.
Recognizes a spiritual perspective that transcends the complexities of human institutions, allowing for a personal integrative view of life.

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Description

Explore the multifaceted effects of religion in this lesson. You will identify both the positive and negative impacts religion has had throughout history and its implications in society. Engage with various materials to uncover evidence supporting these views.