1. Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
General Academic Strand | Humanities and Social Sciences
Lesson 1.1
Introduction to Religions
and Belief Systems
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3. Religion is an important
aspect of life and a
significant sector of the
society.
3
7. Explore
What Symbol Am I?
7
Identify the religion that each symbol represents.
Choose your answer from the list below.
Buddhism Islam
Christianity
Judaism
Confucianism
Shintoism Hinduism
23. Definition of Religion
Religion
believing into something of
a higher power, usually a
supernatural being,
practicing a set of customs
and traditions towards
achieving an “ideal religious
life”
23
26. Defining Religion in the Context of Social Sciences
Types of Definition
● substantive
● functional
26
27. Substantive Definition
Answers the question “What makes religion
different from other fields in social sciences?”
27
Defining Religion in the Context of Social Sciences
28. Substantive Definition
“Religion is the belief to a
‘supreme being.’ People use it to
explain things that they cannot
really explain.”
- Sir Edward Tylor
Sir Edward Burnett Tylor
28
Defining Religion in the Context of Social Sciences
29. Functional Definition
Answers the question “What does religion do for
the society?”
29
Defining Religion in the Context of Social Sciences
30. Functional Definition
Religion is 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.”
- Ronald Johnstone
30
Defining Religion in the Context of Social Sciences
35. Dimensions of Religion
Beliefs
● religious knowledge
● ideas and concepts that guide
religious followers on how to act
and understand the world
35
36. Dimensions of Religion
36
Classification Belief Example
Monotheism
There is only one god/supreme
being.
Christianity, Islam
Polytheism
There are many gods/supreme
beings.
Hinduism
Table 1. Classifications of religions based on belief
37. Dimensions of Religion
37
Classification Belief Example
Atheism There is no god/supreme being. Buddhism, Taoism
Animism
The supreme being is not
human in form.
Shintoism
Table 1. Classifications of religions based on belief
38. Dimensions of Religion
Rituals
● religious actions
● activities done habitually to
practice and/or reinforce
religious teachings
38
39. Dimensions of Religion
Spiritual Experiences
● experiencing a “trance” state
● a feeling of being connected to a
supreme being
39
40. Dimensions of Religion
Community
● beliefs, rituals, and spiritual
experiences shared by a group
of people
● group of people who believe and
practice the same religion
40
41. Dimensions of Religion
41
Classification Size and Influence Example
Church
large, well-organized, well-
structured, integrated in the
society
Ecclesia has formal ties with the state
Anglican Church of
England
Catholic Church of Spain
Denomination
has no formal ties with the
state
United Church of Christ in
the Philippines
Table 2. Classifications of religion based on size and influence
42. Dimensions of Religion
42
Classification Size and Influence Example
Sect
a small religious organization
formed when there is a breakaway
from a larger religious group
The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day
Saints
Cult
similar to sects but is more
secluded and secretive and
generally follows a charismatic
leader
Peoples Temple of the
Disciples of Christ (Jim
Jones)
Table 2. Classifications of religion based on size and influence
44. Try This!
Identify whether the word or phrase in each item
belongs to the belief, ritual, experience, or
community dimension of religion.
1. simbang-gabi
44
45. Try This!
2. apparition of a supernatural being
45
Identify whether the word or phrase in each item
belongs to the belief, ritual, experience, or
community dimension of religion.
46. Try This!
3. Holy Trinity
46
Identify whether the word or phrase in each item
belongs to the belief, ritual, experience, or
community dimension of religion.
47. Try This!
4. Torah
47
Identify whether the word or phrase in each item
belongs to the belief, ritual, experience, or
community dimension of religion.
48. Try This!
5. caliphate
48
Identify whether the word or phrase in each item
belongs to the belief, ritual, experience, or
community dimension of religion.
49. Wrap-Up
● Religion is believing into something of a higher
power, usually a supernatural being, practicing
a set of customs and traditions towards
achieving an “ideal religious life.”
49
50. Wrap-Up
● In social sciences, religion can be defined in two
ways: substantive and functional.
○ Substantive definition focuses on determining
the distinct characteristics of religion that make
it a unique aspect of society.
○ Functional definition focuses on what the
religion can do or how it works in a society.
50
51. Wrap-Up
● There are four dimensions of religion:
○ beliefs
○ rituals
○ experiences
○ community
51
52. Wrap-Up
● Religion based on beliefs can be classified into
monotheism (one god), polytheism (many gods),
atheism (no god), and animism (god is not in human
form).
● Religious organizations can be classified into
churches (ecclesia or denomination), sects, and
cults.
52
53. 53
Challenge
Yourself Answer the following questions.
1. How does religion affect society?
2. How will you define a “good” religion?
54. Photo Credits
● Slide 3: Religions of world isometric flowchart Free Vector by macrovector is licensed under Free Use via
Freepik.com.
● Slide 4, 8-13, 15: Religion icon set Free Vector by macrovector is licensed under Free Use via Freepik.com.
● Slide 14: Lovely budha with flat design Free Vector by freepik is licensed under Free Use via Freepik.com.
● Slide 20: Religion confession illustration Free Vector by macrovector_official is licensed under Free Use via
Freepik.com.
● Slide 23: People holding diverse religious symbols illustration Free Vector by rawpixel.com is licensed under Free Use
via Freepik.com.
● Slide 25: Flat multiracial group of people Free Vector by pikisuperstar is licensed under Free Use via Freepik.com.
● Slide 32: Religions icon set Free Vector by macrovector is licensed under Free Use via Freepik.com.
● Slide 38: Praying muslim concept Free Vector by by macrovector is licensed under Free Use via Freepik.com.
● Slide 39: Silhouette of woman with raised hands Free Photo by jcomp is licensed under Free Use via Freepik.com.
54
55. Bibliography
“God.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Accessed December 3, 2020. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/god.
Johnstone, Ronald. Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004.
McGivern, Ron. “Chapter 15. Religion.” Introduction to Sociology 1st Canadian Edition. BCcampus, November 6, 2014.
https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter-15-religion/.
“Religion.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Accessed December 3, 2020. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion.
“Studying Religion.” OpenLearn. Accessed December 3, 2020. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-
arts/culture/religious-studies/studying-religion/content-section-1.1.
Timothy, Chappell. “Introducing the Philosophy of Religion.” OpenLearn. Accessed December 3, 2020.
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/religious-studies/introducing-the-philosophy-religion/content-
section-2.1.
55
Editor's Notes
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Reverence- means deep respect for someone or something.
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Trance-kawalan ng malay tao
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For the answer key, please refer to the Answer Key of the study guide provided in the Teacher's Content.
For the answer key, please refer to the Answer Key of the study guide provided in the Teacher's Content.
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