Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems

LESSON 1
AN INTRODUCTION TO
WORLD RELIGIONS
AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

 The study of world religions and beliefs requires an
understanding of the concepts of faith and belief
 Each person sees social order through the lenses of his or her
own unique identity groups (religious belief, cultural
background, education, ethnic orientation, economic status,
gender, and life experiences)
 Our predispositions influence the way we perceive events,
people, and relationships
 Allows us to adjust or widen our views, and increases the
choices available for how we can act
Understanding Belief, Religion, and Related Terms

 Belief, is not based only on perception, fact, or empirical
evidence, but also on the acceptance of the likelihood of
something to be true.
 Faith, is generally defined as belief that is not based on
proof, it also connotes confidence or trust in a person or
thing.
In religion, faith refers to the observance of
religious obligations, an attitude of reverence toward
entities and ideas that are considered important in that
religion, and an unwavering trust in the major beliefs of
that particular religion.

 Belief systems, are stories we tell ourselves or ideas we
hold that define our personal sense of reality (mano)
 Worldview, similar to belief system, while belief systems
attempt to explain larger issues of philosophy,
fundamental beliefs, and ways of doing things, a
worldview tries to explain and interpret reality, history, and
civilization. Major worldviews that influence religious belief
include monism, polytheism, monotheism, and atheism.

 Monism, a philosophical worldview in which all of reality
can be reduced to one “thing” or “essence” , believes that
“all is one,” that there are no fundamental divisions, and
that a unified set of laws underlies all of nature (oneness)
 Polytheism, refers to the belief in and adoration of several
deities, each deity or god is distinguished by a certain
function, and often has human characteristics

 Monotheism, faith in a single, all-powerful god. Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam are the major monotheistic religions
 Atheism, disbelief in gods or the supernatural. Atheist
activist Madalyn Murray O’Hair (1963) defines atheism as
the view that accepts reason and aims to establish a
lifestyle and ethical outlook verifiable by experience and
scientific method
 Theology refers to the study of religious faith, practice,
and experience; especially, the study of God and of God’s
relation to the world.

 Religion, defined as the relationship between humans and that
which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or
worthy of special reverence. consisting of the way people deal with
ultimate concerns about their lives and their fate after death.
 Most religions highlight the relationship between the individual
and the divine, particularly deities, gods, or spiritual beings
 Other naturalistic and humanistic religions give importance to the
relationship between the person and the broader community and
nature

Five elements of religion are:
1) Beliefs
2) Organization
3) Emotions and Values
4) Rituals and Ceremonies
5) Sacred Objects and Spaces

1. Belief, various world religions may have different beliefs,
but what they have in common is that the individuals who
adhere to them profess faith and acceptance of these beliefs
2. Organization, organized set of beliefs, rituals, and
emotions, every religion has its own structure and function,
and every individual member is expected to perform a
certain role (Islam, Five Pillars)
 Another indication of organization is the existence of a
hierarchy and a symbol of authority within a religion
(Roman Catholic, Pope and Bishops)

3. Emotions and Values, religion evokes emotions such as
hope, fear, reverence, and humility, religious belief also
influences values, as religions may ascribe certain meanings
to particular actions, behavior, and objects
4. Rituals and Ceremonies, most religious rituals mark major
events in life such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death.
These rituals and ceremonies are considered rites of passage
that place major life events within a larger narrative and
ascribe meaning to them.

5. Sacred Objects and Spaces, considered representations of
the divine, and are concrete indications of the relationship
between the faithful and the divine (idols, icons, and images
that represent divine beings; or relics, artifacts, and remains
which are associated with divine beings)

 Philosophy of religion, refers to the study of the meaning
and nature of religion, focuses on the analysis of religious
concepts, beliefs, terms, arguments, and the practices of
religious adherents
Spirituality, refers to a broad set of principles that
transcend all religions, an integrated view on life that often
transcends religious affiliation, emphasizes the experience
and expression of the sacred, the search for transcendent
meaning the attainment of harmony with the universe, and
the achievement of a sense of purpose and balance in the
face of life’s challenges

The elements of spirituality are as follows:
1) a holistic or fully integrated view of life
2) a search for meaning and purpose in life
3) a desire to attain knowledge regarding the sacred
4) self-reflective existence
Religion can be considered the manifestation of one’s spirituality, as
many people attain the elements of spirituality within the framework of
their own religion. But being religious is not a guarantee of spirituality. A
person can also be outwardly “religious” in performing certain religious
actions or rituals, while not adhering to the underlying principles of
spirituality.

• Religion and belief are significant influences on how we see the world and how
we relate to others. Belief is certainty about particular things or ideas and is
related to the concept of truth. Faith generally refers to belief that is not
primarily based on proof, and connotes confidence or trust in a person, thing, or
idea.
• Belief systems are organized sets of beliefs and symbols that define one’s
personal sense of reality. A worldview is an explanation or interpretation of
history and civilization. Major worldviews that influence religious belief include
monism, polytheism, monotheism, and theism.
• Theology is the study of the nature of religious faith, practice, and experience.
It is done in a rational and philosophical manner, and has given rise to various
schools of thought such as progressive theology, feminist theology, African
theology, Black theology, and liberation theology.

• Religion is the relationship between human beings and what they
regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of special
reverence. It is a set of beliefs and practices that relate to metaphysical
and transcendental issues.
• The five elements of religion are beliefs, organization, emotions and
values, rituals and ceremonies, and sacred objects and spaces.

• Philosophy is closely related to religion, as many philosophical issues
related to the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles that govern all things
are touched upon by many religious beliefs. Religions offer insights into the
world, the meaning of life, and man’s ultimate purpose. Philosophy looks
into religious beliefs to gain an understanding of how man’s relationship
with the divine influences ideas and actions.
• Spirituality refers to a broad set of principles that transcend religions. It
has an integrative view of life that focuses on the search for transcendent
meaning, the attainment of meaning and the achievement of purpose and
balance in life. Religion is considered a manifestation of spirituality because
many people attain the elements of spirituality within its framework.

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems

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