This document discusses how social work has origins in world religions but has emerged as its own "religion" with its own principles and purpose. It outlines some key differences between conventional religions and social work, noting that while social work was influenced by religions, it is not dogmatic, does not have a universal approach, and defines its own goals focused on addressing human misery and promoting social good rather than beliefs around a god or salvation. The timeline provided dates the origins of major world religions from thousands of years ago to hundreds of years ago.

1. SOCIAL WORK: A RELIGION….
Ramanand.R
MSW
Medical and Psychiatric Social work

2. RELIGION
 Term evolved from religios ~ To bind.
 Primary objective~ To address Human Misery.
 Centre of worship
Church,Mosque,Temple,Synagougue, Pagoda,
Gurudwara, Shrines etc.
 Theme: Universal brotherhood, acceptance

3. CONTINUES..
Rooted in: Theology ( existence of god)
Philosophy ( About human misery)
All world religions originated in Asia.
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Zoroastrianism
Sikhism etc….

4. TIMELINE
Hinduism
Before 5000 +
years back
Buddhism
Before 3000 +
years back
Christianity
before
2000+
years back
Islam
Before 1600
+ years
Sikhism
Before
600+
years back

5. HOW SOCIAL WORK EMERGED…
 Social work owes its origin to world religions…
 It is not a new thing
 Principles and ethics from religions
 Duty is worship
 Logically selected the ways and means referring
world religions.
 General notion : it is a subset of a superset
{ religion (social work)}

6. BUT SOCIAL WORK ITSELF IS A RELIGION
 Why??
Social Work have its own principles.
Social work defines its own ways and means.
Social work is not at all dogmatic.
No universal modus operandi.

7. CONVENTIONAL RELIGIONS AND SOCIAL WORK
No Religion (conventional) Social work
1 God God or godless
2 Holy scripture Experience (subjective and/or
objective)
3 Center of worship (uniformity) Center of duty ( not uniform)
4 Eufunction and dysfunction Only Eufunction
5 Universal brotherhood, acceptance Universal brotherhood,
acceptance.
6 Reward: salvation Reward: self content , societal
good and harmony.