This document discusses religion from different perspectives. It covers 4 main topics: 1) Understanding beliefs and worldviews, 2) Defining religion, 3) The three main positions on the existence of God (theism, atheism, agnosticism), and 4) Common characteristics among religions. The common characteristics discussed are the belief in a deity, a doctrine of salvation, a code of conduct, and religious rituals.

1. IWRBS
Lesson 1:
Religion
on a different light

2. TOPICS:
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I. Understanding Beliefs and Worldviews
II. Definition of Religion
III. Three Main Positions or Temperaments
IV. Common Characteristics Among
Religions

3. 3

4. 1.
Understanding Beliefs and
Worldviews
P.O.V.

5. Understanding Beliefs and
Worldviews
⇨ Worldview – a collection of beliefs
about life and the universe being
held by people.
⇨ Belief – is a mental state that does
not require empirical evidence.
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6. Understanding Beliefs and
Worldviews
⇨ Social environment and upbringing are
critical in the development of a religious
life.
⇨ Belief in god or gods is found in almost
all religions.
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7. 2.
Definition of Religion
What is Religion?

8. What is Religion?
⇨ Religion– an organized system of beliefs,
ceremonies, and rules used to worship a
god or group of gods.
⇨ Latin word “religio” – something done
with overanxious or scrupulous attention
to detail
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9. What is Religion?
⇨ Latin verb “religare” – to tie together or
to bind fast.
⇨ In its original sense, the word refers to
the expression of proper piety
(devotion/respect), that is, binding to
god.
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10. “
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What is Religion?

11. 3.
Three Main Positions or
Temperaments
Theism, Atheism and Agnosticism.

12. A. Theism
⇨ Is the belief in the existence of God or
gods. There multiple variant of theism
among them are monotheism,
polytheism, deism, pantheism, and
panentheism
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B. Atheism
⇨ This view denies the existence of a god
or gods. The disbelief is founded on the
idea that there is no sufficient basis or
evidence to prove the existence od such
being/s.

13. Multiple Variants of Theism
⇨ Monotheism – The belief in one god
⇨ Polytheism – The belief in two or more
gods
⇨ Pantheism – The belief that everything
is god.
⇨ Panentheism – The belief that
everything is in god.
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14. C. Agnosticism
⇨ Is the belief in the existence of God or
gods. There multiple variant of theism
among them are monotheism,
polytheism, deism, pantheism, and
panentheism
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15. 4.
Common Characteristics
Among Religions
Characteristics and more…

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RELIGION
Religious Rituals
A Doctrine of Salvation
Code of
Conduct
Belief in
Deity

17. Common Characteristics Among
Religions
1. Belief in deity
Three philosophical views:
⇨ Atheists believe that no deity exists.
⇨ Theists believe in deity or deities.
⇨ Agnostics say that the existence of
deity cannot be proved or disproved.
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18. Common Characteristics Among
Religions
2. A Doctrine of Salvation
⇨ It is based on the belief that people are in
some danger from which they must be
saved
⇨ Religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism
and Hinduism stress that salvation is the
highest goal of the faithful and one that all
followers should try to achieve 18

19. Common Characteristics Among
Religions
3. A Code of Conduct
⇨ Is a set of moral teachings and values
that all religions have in some form.
⇨ Such a code or ethics tells believers
how to conduct their lives.
⇨ It instructs them how to act toward the
deity and toward one another.
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20. Common Characteristics Among
Religions
4. Belief in deity
⇨ These include the acts and ceremonies by
which believers appeal to and serve God,
deities and other sacred powers.
⇨ The performance of a ritual is often called a
service.
⇨ The most common ritual is prayer or for
some Asian religions, meditation.
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21. 21
Elements of Religion

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