Origins of Religions PDF

ORIGIN OF RELIGIONS  Based on the life and teachings 1. Christianity of Jesus Christ Originated in Palestine in the 1st century AD Believe that Jesus was the son of God who came and died for...

ORIGIN OF RELIGIONS  Based on the life and teachings 1. Christianity of Jesus Christ Originated in Palestine in the 1st century AD Believe that Jesus was the son of God who came and died for people’s sins and then rose so that all people could be saved Believe in one God(monotheistic) who created the universe and all things in it Christianity originally developed as a part of Judaism.  Is a monotheistic religion. 2. Judaism Judaism originates nearly 4,000 years ago in the Middle East with a couple named Abraham and Sarah, whom God selected to start a new people, the chosen nation. Being a part of a Jewish community and living one's life according to Jewish law and traditions is very important. Torah is their sacred creed.  Islam is the world's second 3. Islam most followed religion It began around 1400 years ago in Arabia, but swiftly become a world faith, and now has around 1.2 billion people "Islam" is an Arabic word which means “surrendering oneself to the will of God” One will achieve peace and security by doing so  Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to 4. many scholars, with roots and customs dating back Hinduism more than 4,000 years. Hinduism includes a very wide range of beliefs and practices, so there aren't many things that are common to all Hindu groups Hinduism has no founder, no single book of faith, no creed, and no single source of authority(such as Jesus) Hinduism is very  Founded in India around 500 BC by Siddhartha Gautama 5. Became Buddha, the Enlightened Buddhism One, when he was 29 He was trying to find the true meaning of life and eventually, through four trance-like stages of meditation, he was enlightened to the Buddhist way of life His main teachings was to eliminate human wants as they are the cause of suffering in the world  Founded by Confucius Confucius was a 6.Confucianis philosopher and teacher m whose pupils recorded his sayings Began about 2,500 years ago in the Chinese province of Lu No denominations or sects. Followers are free to profess other religions. Considered an ideology and taught in schools Confucian leaders are  Founded by Lao Tzu 7. Taoism Taoism (pronounced Dao-ism) is believed to have originated around 300 B.C. The word "Tao" means “the way” or “the path The Doctrine of Morality is regarded as their holy Bible.  Shintoism is a Polytheistic 8. Shintoism belief that expresses love and respect for nature. Shinto formally means “ Way of the Gods”. It became Japan’s ancient religion approximately at 500BCE. Shinto’s origin comes from worshipping nature called "Kami." Positive Effects of Religion  1. R elig ion Promote s S ocial H arm on y Religion believes in supernatural beings and powers. It practices a set of rituals and ceremonious rites of passage of intensification. It also regards religious leaders such as priests, priestesses and shamans in high esteem. These characteristics help advance social harmony by assimilating and stabilizing cultures and nations.  2. Rel i g io n Provide s M o r a l 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 effect determines organized human behavior. By providing moral values, one is able to distinguish right from wrong, good or evil. It also provides a systems of reward and punishment that administers and standardizes people behavior in society  3. Rel i g io n Provide s S o c i a l 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.  4. Re l i g io n Reduces F e a r o f t he U n k n ow n 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 when they die. Religion provides answers for phenomena and questions that the science or reason cannot explain.  5. Rel i g io n G i ve s Positive G o a l in Life People were inspired by the story of different prophets from their own religious affiliations, like that Moses, Siddharta Gautama, and Muhammad. The people showed how ordinary people them were given important missions in life, and how they struggled to carry out their respective missions.  6. R e l i g io n G i v e s Pe o p l e a S e n s e o f B e l o n g i n g Just as family, ethnicity, or nationality give people a sense of belonging, so does religion. For some, religion provides people with personal identify 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. Negative Eff ects of Religion  1. R e l i g io n Affirms S o c i a l H i e r a r c h y Some religions affirm social hierarchy often favoring men as and result, perpetuate the notions of class and gender discrimination and oppression. Another example of religion reflecting the hierarchy of political structures would be the Confucians emphasis on the relations between the ruler and the subjects, with the former exercising the authority over the latter.  2. R e l i g io n Causes Discri m i n at i o n There are some who say that religion, after turning people against themselves, turn people against each other. This happens when people do not tolerate religious ideologies different from the one they follow. Religion can also be a source of discrimination, or the prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things especially on the basis of race, religion,  3. R e l i g i o n T r i g ge r s C o n fl i ct s an d F i g h t s 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.  4. Relig io n A s A n Economi c T oo l fo r The M a s se s Exploiting 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 bourgeoisie keep the proletariat in control through religion.  5. Religion I m pe d e s ie nt ifi c S u c ce s s a n d Sc Dev e lo p m e n t 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.  6. Religion O b st r u ct s the Use o f Re a s o n 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.