WORLD RELIGIONS

S T U D Y M A T E R I A L

& BELIEF SYSTEMS

Week 1

Differentiate the concept, elements, and characteristics

of belief systems, world view, religions, and spirituality.

What is worldview?
A worldview refers to the basic way individuals or cultures interpret events, reality, and values. It encompasses one’s
perception of what is important, sacred, and real. A worldview often emerges unconsciously through the influence of
family, education, and cultural systems. It serves as a framework for interpreting life, including views on time, space,
happiness, and morality. A worldview can be shaped by religious or non-religious beliefs and reflects how one perceives
reality and meaning.body text

What is belief system?

A belief system is a set of principles or stories people use to define their personal reality and make sense of the world. It forms
the foundation of a person's worldview and governs their behaviors, values, and judgment of right and wrong. Belief
systems can include religious doctrines, philosophical outlooks, or personal convictions. For instance, belief systems
such as atheism, theism, and pantheism shape people’s perspectives on the existence of God, reality, and the universe.

What is religion?
Religions are organized systems of beliefs and practices that shape worldviews and belief systems. They involve belief in
supernatural powers, sacred elements (texts, objects, places), systems of rituals, moral laws, and specific methods of
worship. Religions often require adherence to practices that perpetuate their belief systems, like the Catholic Church’s
sacraments or Islam’s Five Pillars. Elements like liturgy, holy places, and modes of worship (e.g., prayer, singing) are
fundamental to religious practice.

What is spirituality?
Spirituality is often distinguished from religion as a more individual and personal experience of connection to something
greater, like the divine, nature, or inner peace. Unlike religion, which is organized, spirituality can exist outside formal
structures and can shape personal worldviews independently of institutional beliefs.

GRADE 12- GILEAD, SECOND TRIMESTER MS. DIANE ANJELA NOLASCO YERMO, LPT
 Analyze the interconnectedness of geography, culture and religions.

Universality of Religion
Religion is a universal aspect of human societies, evolving alongside human civilization. Many belief systems, recorded and
unrecorded, have developed throughout history, influenced by geographical and cultural contexts. Prehistoric evidence
(Neanderthals) shows early religious practices, such as burial rituals and art, indicating humanity’s long-standing spiritual
development.

Indian
Abrahamic
Religions
Religions Chinese
The Indian subcontinent, with its long
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—
monotheistic religions originating from
history and diverse cultural interactions, Religions
fostered the development of Hinduism,
the Middle East—share a common Confucianism and Daoism emerged from
Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. India’s
patriarch, Abraham. These religions China’s early civilizations. Confucianism
geography, marked by river valleys and
evolved in regions marked by harsh emphasized social order, aligning with the
mountains, created a cultural mosaic
deserts and mountains, influencing their
where various religions coexisted and hierarchical and meritocratic structures in
spiritual beliefs (e.g., Mount Moriah in
influenced each other. Hinduism’s eclectic Chinese society, while Daoism’s
Judaism, the deserts in the Bible). The
nature reflects India’s cultural diversity, philosophical focus on nature and
geographic features of the region played a
and Buddhism spread from India to other harmony was shaped by the natural
significant role in shaping their religious
regions in Asia, shaped by the movement of landscapes of China. These two religious
narratives and practices, including the traditions were deeply intertwined with
peoples.
belief in divine revelations on sacred Chinese governance and societal values,
mountains (e.g., Mount Sinai for Moses) influenced by China’s geography.

Shintoism
Geography
in Japan
Shintoism, deeply tied to Japanese
of Faith in
geography, venerates natural
features such as mountains and
West Asia
rivers. This belief system reflects The Middle East, a region with vast
Japan's physical landscape, with deserts and mountainous terrain,
myths celebrating the connection gave rise to the Abrahamic
between the people and their land. religions. The geographical
It developed as a distinct tradition, challenges, such as arid lands and
influenced by the imported religions limited resources, shaped the
of China and Korea, but remained religious experiences and
uniquely Japanese. narratives of the people. Sacred
sites, such as Jerusalem, became
central to religious identity and
belief. These religions also
expanded beyond their places of
origin, adapting to new
geographic and cultural contexts.

Types of World Religions

Religions can be exclusive (monotheistic) or non-exclusive (polytheistic). Christianity and Islam are universalizing religions
seeking global membership, while Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism are non-exclusive.

GRADE 12- GILEAD, SECOND TRIMESTER MS. DIANE ANJELA NOLASCO YERMO, LPT
 Analyze the influences of religion on culture and society.

The influences of religion on

culture and society
1. RELIGION’S ROLE IN CREATING MEANING
Religion helps people find meaning, purpose, and hope through traditions, beliefs,
and values, often expressed through myths and stories. It answers existential
questions and connects individuals to a larger human experience.

2. COMMUNITY AND RITUALS

Religious practices foster community through rituals, worship, and symbolic
celebrations. Pilgrimages, festivals, and rituals like the Eucharist, Seder, Hajj, and Eid ul
Fitr reinforce communal identity and shared values.

3. ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Religions promote ethical living, social justice, and charitable acts. For example,
Judaism’s mitzvoth and Tikkun olam focus on repairing the world, while Islam
emphasizes charity.

4. IDENTITY AND SHARED VALUES

Religion provides personal identity within a community of shared worldviews,
beliefs, and practices. It also offers rituals for life transitions (birth, death,
commitment), contributing to emotional well-being and societal cohesion.

5. EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING

Religious education fosters an understanding of cultural and historical
traditions, translating religious teachings into contemporary
experiences and values.

Negative influences
Religion has historically been used to justify harmful policies (e.g., slavery, segregation).
Some religious beliefs discourage societal improvement, viewing suffering as divinely ordained.
Religious participation may support harmful regimes through financial or moral backing.
Tax exemptions for religious institutions can create economic imbalances.
Religious conflicts, such as the Crusades and modern-day extremism (e.g., ISIS in Marawi), have caused significant harm.

GRADE 12- GILEAD, SECOND TRIMESTER MS. DIANE ANJELA NOLASCO YERMO, LPT
 Analyze the influences of religion on culture and society.

Brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs,

practices, and related issues of Judaism
Judaism is over 3,000 years old, originating in the Middle East during the Bronze Age.
It is considered the oldest monotheistic religion, rooted in the covenant between God
and Abraham.
The term "Judaism" comes from the Latin Iudaismus, originating from the Hebrew word
Brief
"Yehudah" (Judah). History
Jewish communities developed distinct traditions over time, such as Ashkenazi,
Sephardi, Beta Israel, and Yemenite Jews, due to geographic dispersion.

Monotheism: Belief in one God (Yahweh), who is just, omnipotent, and involved in
human history.
Covenant: A special agreement between God and the Jewish people, emphasizing their
Core responsibility to follow God's commandments.
Teachings Mitzvot: There are 613 commandments that govern Jewish life, based on divine laws
revealed to Moses.
Ethical Living: Judaism emphasizes justice, kindness, and social responsibility.

Sacred Texts: The Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Nevi’im (Prophets), and the
Ketuvim (Writings), collectively called the Tanakh, are central.
Oral Law: The Mishnah and Talmud expand on the Torah, providing guidance for
Jewish law (Halakha) and ethical behavior.
Fundamental
Messianic Hope: Expectation of a future Messiah who will bring peace and justice. Beliefs
Afterlife: While Judaism emphasizes life on Earth, there are beliefs in the afterlife
where the soul is judged based on one's actions.

Shabbat: A weekly day of rest and worship from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
Festivals: Key holidays include Passover, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah, commemorating
significant events in Jewish history.
Religious Kosher Laws: Dietary rules governing what is permissible to eat and how food must be
Practices prepared.
Daily Prayer: Central prayers include the Shema and Amidah, recited multiple times a day.
Life Cycle Rituals: Circumcision, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, and mourning practices.

Orthodox Judaism: Adheres strictly to Jewish law and rituals, including

diverse subgroups like Hasidic Jews, who emphasize a mystical connection with God.
Reform Judaism: A liberal branch that values ethical traditions over strict
observance, allowing for adaptation.
Varieties of
Conservative Judaism: Balances between tradition and modernization. Judaism
Reconstructionist Judaism: Views Judaism as an evolving religious civilization.
Humanistic Judaism: Celebrates Jewish culture and history without an emphasis on God.

Tanakh: The Hebrew Bible, including the Torah (Pentateuch), Nevi’im (Prophets), and
Ketuvim (Writings).
Sacred Mishnah and Talmud: Rabbinic texts that provide interpretations and expansions of
the Torah, forming the foundation of Jewish law.
Writings Other texts: The Zohar (Kabbalistic work), Mishneh Torah (Maimonides’ legal code),
Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), and Siddur (prayer book) are also important.

GRADE 12- GILEAD, SECOND TRIMESTER MS. DIANE ANJELA NOLASCO YERMO, LPT
 Comprehension Report
Submitted by: Date:

Subject: Week:

Things I understood: Most interesting thing I learned:

Unfamiliar words I found: Things I want to understand

better:

Summary: