INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS
Module 1: Concept, Elements and Characteristics of Belief Systems, World View, Religion, and
Spirituality
WORLDVIEW
Worldview is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by people. (The
Free Dictionary 2014). This is how every individual sees and interprets the world. For a certain
individual, social environment and upbringing are critical in the development of a religious life. All
these factors influence 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.
Kinds of Belief System
● Monism-there is no real distinction between god and the universe
● Monotheism- the doctrine/belief in one supreme god
● Polytheism-the belief and worship of many gods
● Atheism-disbelief in or denial of the existence of a personal god
● Agnosticism-god cannot be known
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-Websters 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 1971).
THE ORIGIN OF RELIGION
1. The Human Quest for Meaning -understanding our World and our Experience
2. The Quest of Purpose-the motivation to live a life which promotes human wholeness in
accordance with the meaning discovered.
3. The Quest for Salvation-the search to be free from the feeling of disharmony deep within the
human person.
CONCEPT OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
SPIRITUALITY RELIGION
• Belief that the divine is within us •Belief in a superhuman power outside of you, the
• Personal belief or values system creator of the universe.
• God is inside the heart • Dictated belief or conditioned mind
• Spiritual laws-based • God is inside the mind
• Faith-based • Faith-based
• Heaven is a state of mind • Heaven is a place you go when you die
• Human relationship/Deed • Brick or Mortar Temple
Others: Others:
• Belies with individuals • Expressly stated, organized belief system
• Internal Focus • External focus and formal structure
• Goal: To determine common principles, values, • Goal: Salvation through one truth and one right
and ethics way
• Belief about what is good, true, and beautiful
• Unites people over society
THEOLOGY
Theology is the study of religious faith, practice, and experience especially the study of God and of
God's relation to the world.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION
Most scholars agree that every religion has the same three basic elements:
1. Wisdom or Creed
a. A creed is a set of truths that must be accepted and agreed to by those who wish to belong to the
religion, those who choose to be a follower or disciple. e.g. The Nicene creed, Laws of Manu, Ten
Commandments
b. A creed is a summary of the principle beliefs of a religion. e.g. The Nicene creed, Laws of Manu,
Ten Commandments
2. Worship or Cult
a. Refers to the way of worshipping, to the RITUALS that are practiced by followers of the religion.
b. This is often a difficult element to describe because it involves so many diverse elements.
3. Works or Code
a. Refers to the ethical values and the system of moral practice directly resulting from an adherence
to the beliefs.
EIGHT ELEMENTS OF RELIGIONS
1. BELIEF SYSTEM or WORLDVIEW: Many beliefs that fit together in a system to make sense of the
universe and our place in it.
2. COMMUNITY: The belief system is shared, and its ideals are practiced by a group.
3. CENTRAL STORIES/MYTHS: Stories that help explain the beliefs of a group; these are told over
and over again and sometimes performed by members of the group. They may or may not be factual.
4. RITUALS: Beliefs are explained, taught, and made real through ceremonies.
5. ETHICS: Rules about how to behave; these rules are often thought to have come from a deity or
supernatural place, but they might also be seen as guidelines created by the group over time.
6. CHARACTERISTIC EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Most religions share emotions such as awe,
mystery, guilt, joy, devotion, conversion, inner peace, etc.
7. MATERIAL EXPRESSION: Religions use things to perform rituals or to express or represent beliefs,
such as: statues, paintings, music, flowers, incense, clothes, architecture, and specific sacred
locations.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL STRUCTURES OF RELIGION
Western Beliefs
• MONOTHEISTIC - believe in one God.
• Share a similar view of the world and concept because they both sprang from Judaism (Islam and
Christianity).
• Humans must enter an interpersonal relationship with God.
• Morality is based on learning the will of God, understanding, and living it out individually and as a
community.
• Time is viewed as Linear, from beginning to end.
• The Bible (Christianity, Torah (Judaism), or Qur’an (Islam) are the central books studied and lived
by.
Eastern Beliefs
• POLYTHEISM- belief in more than one god.
• Main concern is to live a good, happier, and have better life.
• Creation contains god within it. All elements of creation from plants to animals have an animated
spirit.
• Meditation is central to these faiths.
• Life is balanced.
• Holy books are not central to the belief and practice.
• Time is viewed in cycles.
• There is a belief in reincarnations and rebirth.
• Things can be made better or worse through karma.
IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RELIGION
• Understand the difference and see similarities between nations and culture both political and
philosophical.
• Appreciate our own belief by seeing them alongside those of others.
• Work for Ecumenism through a meaningful exchange of ideas between religious groups.
SIMILARITIES OF RELIGIONS (THE STRUCTURE OF RELIGIONS)
• Belief in a power greater than humans.
• Holy places (Ex. Mecca, Vatican, Bodh Gaya, River Ganges).
• Set of religious symbols by which the religion is identified.
• Having a liturgy or observance of Holy Days.
• Having Sacred or Holy Writings and list of rules.
• Number of important people, founders, prophets, missionaries, and historical people.
• Place of worship.
• Belief in the Golden Rule
RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES
• Their idea of sin or evil
• Their idea of salvation
• Their idea of priesthood
• Their idea of a personal God