Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems PDF

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS MARY KRISTINE L. Prepared by: CRISTOBAL Every individuals sees and interprets the world quite differently from one another. This overall perspective is also termed worldview which is...

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS MARY KRISTINE L. Prepared by: CRISTOBAL Every individuals 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  1. Religious Belief System It is usually structured around a moral code , the belief of one or more deities, and the ability to supernatural occurrences to affect us and the universe that we exist in.  1. Religious Belief System A religious belief system is a structured set of beliefs and practices centered around the understanding of the divine, the nature of existence, and moral values  2. Spiritual Belief It is closely related to RBS , but System it is not structured. Some choose to believe in an after-life and follow a moral code of conduct but do not affiliate with a particular church or denomination.  WHAT IS RELIGION? “ A system of beliefs and practices by which a group of people interprets and responds to what they feel is sacred and, usually, supernatural as well”  Belief System: Is an ideology or set of principles that help us to interpret our everyday reality. This could be in the form of religion , political affiliation, philosophy, or spirituality, among many other things. These beliefs are shaped and influenced by a number of different  Religion define as an organized system of beliefs , ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods (Merriam- Webster dictionary of 2014). From latin word religio refers to “ something done with overanxious or scrupulous attention in detail”(Bowker 1997) the term derived from the latin verb religare which means “to tie together, to bind fast” The term was eventually applied to what we call now as religion because the manner in  Religion define as an organized system of beliefs , ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods(Merriam-Webster dictionary of 2014). From latin word religio refers to “ something done with overanxious or scrupulous  The term derived from the latin verb religare which means “to tie together, to bind fast "The term was eventually applied to what we call now as religion because the manner in which people performed rituals during those days.  RELIGION IN 1. Religion is FACT.. a collective phenomenon. 2. Religion is concerned w/ ordering behavior in relation to the sacred &/or the supernatural. 3. Religion involves a body of beliefs and moral prescriptions. 4. Religion expects its followers to follow a set of practices. Religions of the World  Understanding the Polytheism- The belief and worship of many gods. Worldview: MONOTHEISM- The doctrine or belief in one supreme God. ATHEISM- Disbelief in or denial of the existence of a personal god AGNOSTIC- God cannot be known. RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY, THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY  WHAT IS RELIGION? “ A system of beliefs and practices by which a group of people interprets and responds to what they feel is sacred and, usually, supernatural as well” SPIRITUALITY - The quality or state of being concerned with religion or religious matters: the quality and state of being spiritual. THEOLOGY - The study of religious faith, practice and experience: the study of God and God’s relation to the world. PHILOSOPHY - The study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life. A set of ideas about how to do something or how.  RELIGION VS. Religion is an institution established SPIRITUALITY by man for various reasons. Exert control, in still morality, stroke egos, or whatever it does. Spirituality is born in a person and develops in the person  RELIGION VS.  Religion has a dogmatic and SPIRITUALITY unquestionable assembly of rules that need to be followed without question  Spirituality invites you to reason it all, to question it all and to decide your actions and assume the consequences.  RELIGION VS. Religion does not investigate and SPIRITUALITY does not question. Spirituality questions everything.  RELIGION VS.  Religion gives you promises for the SPIRITUALITY after-life  Spirituality gives you the light to find God in your inner self, in this life, in the present, in the here and the now.  RELIGION VS.  Religion focuses SPIRITUALITYon what pleases man.  Being spiritual focuses on what pleases God.  RELIGION VS.  Religion follows SPIRITUALITYman's standards.  Spiritual focuses on what pleases God.  RELIGION VS.  Any specific system of belief, SPIRITUALITY worship, conduct, etc., involving a code of ethics and a philosophy.  Theology is the study of God and (formal) religions  RELIGION VS.  Religion as humans’ SPIRITUALITY way to God  Theology as a study of God’s way to humans  RELIGION VS.  Religion involves belief and practices SPIRITUALITY which assume the existence of supernatural beings.  Philosophy of religion is the philosophical study of the meaning and nature of religion  RELIGION VS.  Religion involves belief and practices which assume SPIRITUALITY the existence of supernatural beings.  Philosophy of religion is the philosophical study of the meaning and nature of religion  It includes the analyses of religious concepts, beliefs, terms, arguments, and practices of religious adherents  RELIGION VS. as humans’ way to God, ReligionSPIRITUALITY theology as a study of God’s way to humans and philosophy as a reflection of humans’ lived experience of God Elements of Religion  1. MYTH/DOCTRINE  Religious narratives/stories providing a framework for religious beliefs/practices  Codify world views by providing: understanding of how the world works  template for reality  MYTHS  Usually oral tradition, often indirect messages. It can change through time. It is recited or performed.  Common myths: Origin/creation, Heroes, Apocalypse, Tricksters  Doctrines Direct statements about religious beliefs, formalized and written Associated with state-level religions – May be subject to analysis – May be more stable through time – Translations a source of change – Many have roots in oral traditions – Bible: many translations – Qur’an: no translations Literal meaning: “the recitation”  2. Rituals Ritual: a patterned, recurring sequence of events. a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order  3. Text or Scriptures A sacred writing of a religion. - Holy texts which contains the life of God.  4. SACRED SPACES Places for worship. - this is where prayers and services are taken place.  5. Beliefs an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. - a religious conviction.  Elements of SPIRITUALITY  1. HOLISTIC Holism: The synthesis of entities into organized wholes that are greater than the sum of their parts. Emphasize the importance of the whole and interdependence of its parts  2. Quest for Meaning Looking for the real meaning and purpose of life. 3. Quest for the Sacred Looking for the real beliefs of God.  4. SELF-REFLECTIVE EXISTENCE Choosing to look at yourself, find yourself, affirm yourself internally, and then externally by acting upon your affirmation and choosing to literally be, not through your existence but through your actions, is what it means to be