Module: Understanding the Nature of Religion

Date Submitted: ________________ Rating: ____________________

Objectives:
* Differentiate religion from spirituality and theology
*Understand the worldview of each of the world’s major religions is critical in appreciating their rituals and practices.

Lesson/Lecture:
What does it mean to be religious and spiritual? Why is religion linked to humankind’s quest to search for the real meaning of life
and death? As we all know, when one prays, he or she actively seeks an affinity to divine beings or supernatural entities that are
beyond the purely natural world. The picture below is a clear depiction of an act of prayer. Majority of world religions follow a set
of prayers in the form of chants, mantras, or creed. Whether you pray or not, you may have witnessed the influential roles being
played by religions all over the world.
Understanding the nature of religion enlightens learners about the common grounds that bind believers into examining the
questions of life and death and why or how persons yearn for spiritual inspiration. Recognizing the inherent characteristics of
religion provides the opportunity to deeply grasp the many beliefs and practices that mold humankind's spiritual needs.

MOTIVATIONAL ACTIVITY
In the context of religion, list down 10 things that you believe in by completing the following statements. What have you observed
in your own belief system?
1. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
5. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
6. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
7. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
8. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
9. I believe in/that__________________________________________________________________________________________
10. I believe in/that_________________________________________________________________________________________
CONCEPT MAP

RELIGION

Monistic Monotheistic Polytheistic Agnostic Atheistic

UNDERSTANDING BELIEFS AND WORLDVIEWS

Every individual sees and interprets the world quite differently from one another. This overall perspective is also
termed worldview which is a collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by people (The Free Dictionary
2014). For a certain individual, social environment and upbringing are critical in the development of a religious life. All
these factors have an effect on how people organize their beliefs and ideas while eventually creating a comprehensive
narrative through which they look at the world and interrelate with it.
Belief in god or gods is found in almost all religions. There is a good reason to presuppose that religion had existed
during prehistoric times and this has continued to the modern day. Human life may have produced hundreds of religions
and belief systems. There could be more unknown than known religions in the world since recorded history covers only
several thousand years of human existence.

TABLE 1.1Kinds of Belief System

Kinds Description
Monism there is no real distinction between god and the universe
Polytheism the belief and worship of many gods
Monotheism the doctrine or belief in one supreme god
Atheism disbelief in or denial of the existence of a personal god
Agnosticism god cannot be known

GUIDE QUESTION
How is religion viewed by various people in relation to their outlook on God?

Theism, often used as a synonym to monotheism, is defined as “a belief in the existence of one god viewed as the
creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world” (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary 2014). Monotheistic religions claim that there is only one God who could have designed and created the
universe or may have directed all events that led to the creation of everything. There is one supreme God who is both
personal and moral, and who seeks a total and unqualified response from humans (Hick 1990). Modern-day examples of
monotheistic religions include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. On the other hand, polytheistic religions that are
common among early people recognize many principal gods among whom no one is supreme. These include the ancient
religions of Egypt, Greece, and Rome wherein people worship a multitude of personal gods.
Meanwhile, monism asserts that there is no genuine distinction between God and the universe. Two implications arise
from this belief. Firstly, it contends that God is dwelling in the universe as part of it. Secondly, the universe does not
exist at all as a reality but only as a manifestation of God.
Furthermore, while atheists deny the existence of God, agnostics deny the possibility for man to acquire knowledge of
the existence of God.
DEFINITION AND NATURE OF RELIGION
Religion may be defined as “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of
gods” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2014). The Latin word religio refers to “something done with overanxious or
scrupulous attention to detail” (Bowker 1997). This term may have probably been derived from the Latin verb religare
which means “to tie together, to bind fast.”
In its original sense, the word refers to expression of proper piety, that is, binding to god (Grassie 2010). Quite later,
religion was used to designate formal belief systems and tenets. The term was eventually applied to what we now call as
religion because of the manner in which people performed rituals during those days. While religion may be universal in
all stages of human history, it does not follow that all individuals are religious or even religious to some degree
(Parrinder 1971).

Table 1.2below summarizes the various definitions forwarded by several social scientists on the nature of religion.
Name of Social Scientist Background View on Religion
Edward Burnett Taylor English anthropologist; founding figure
The belief in spiritual beings
(1832-1917) of the science of social
Anthropology
James George Frazer Scottish social anthropologist; a propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to
(1854-1941) one of the founding figures of man which are believed to control and direct
modern anthropology the course of nature and of human life
Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski an eminent 20th-century Polish a body of self-contained acts being themselves
(1884-1942) anthropologist the fulfilment of their purpose; an affair of all,
in which everyone takes an active and
equivalent part
David Ëmile Durkheim French sociologist; father of a unified system of beliefs and practices
(1858-1917) Sociology relative to sacred things

belief in a deity’s
relationship with the
world

places and people

believed to be holy
belief in a deity
and sacred

RELIGION

ways to worship rules followed as a

a deity result of beliefs
FIGURE 1
Common Characteristics
Among Religions

Derived from David A. Brown, A Guide to Religions, p. 8.

Figure 1 illustrates the different characteristics that are common to most major
religions.

ORIGINS OF RELIGION
Since the nineteenth century, people began to show great interest in explaining the origins of religion. In fact, numerous
theories have been postulated to explain the origin of religion while looking at primitive societies for ideas concerning
the development of belief systems (Hendry 1999).
Archaeologists believe that they have discovered elements of religious belief practised by Homo sapiens almost 60,000
years ago. Apart from burying the dead, various items such as foods, tools, and other objects were placed inside the site.
All these rituals imply reverence to their loved ones and perhaps the thought that the dead will utilize these materials in
the afterlife. While they believe in the presence of supernatural entities, they also try to communicate with them (Ember
& Ember 1996).
Various explanations have surfaced that somehow tend to simplify or even denigrate primitive religions. Others
maintain that since early humans are weak and ignorant of the different forces of nature, they had to invent religion to
explain the seemingly unexplainable mystery and fury of nature. In the process, they had to create a scheme of deities
and spirits. Still others contend that religion was conceived by the few to stifle and repress the ideals of the masses
(Hopfe 1983).
The nineteenth century witnessed the development of the fields of the social sciences that enabled scholars to apply a
more scientific way of explaining phenomena rather than speculate on matters concerning the origin of religion.
Through field research, observations, and analysis of historical documents, scholars formulated a number of theories that
have endured well into the present time.
GUIDE QUESTION
How is religion viewed by various people in relation to their outlook on God?

TABLE 1.3Theories on the Origin of Religion

Name of Theory Proponents Explanation
Animistic Theories Edward Burnett Tylor Primitive people believed in souls or anima
(1832-1917), found in people (seen in dreams) and in all of
English anthropologist nature. Since spirits could be helpful or harmful
to human beings, early people had to pray to
these spirits, offer sacrifices, and appease or
avoid them.
Robert Henry Codrington In his investigation, he found out that the
(1830-1922), Anglican priest and Melanesian people believed in mana, a
anthropologist mysterious force that inhabited all of nature. All
early people began their religion in cognizance
of such force; the destructiveness of the mana
can be avoided by establishing taboos.
Nature-Worship Theory Human beings first developed their religions
from their observations of the forces of nature.
Early people became aware of the regularity of
the seasons, the tides and the phases of the moon, and
began personalizing them by giving them names,
describing their activities with tales that
transformed into mythology. Primitive people
identified the forces in nature, personified them,
created myths, and developed religions around
them.
Theory of Original Monotheism Wilhelm Schmidt (1868-1954), n Australia and Africa, basic cultures held a
Austrian anthropologist and common belief in a distant high god, that originally t
ethnologist had been one great god above all others, and that he m
have been the creator of the world or the father
of the many lesser deities. This high god went
away and had little contact with the world that
resulted in majority of attention and worship to
local deities. Primitive societies were originally
monotheistic, but because it was difficult to
worship just one god, religion was corrupted to
polytheism.
Magic Theory James George Frazer People had gone three phases of development
(1854-1941), Scottish social concerning the spirit world: (1) primitive magic
anthropologist (wherein people attempted to control nature in
the hope that nature will cooperate if rituals are
done properly); (2) religion (wherein people
implored nature to cooperate since they have
realized that nature cannot be coerced); and (3)
science (wherein a rational understanding of
nature is operative).
Ludwig Andreas von Feuerbach There were no gods and that belief in gods was
(18041872), German philosopher andsimply wish fulfilment. Troubled people who
anthropologist could not cope with the difficulties in life
projected their wishes and developed gods and
religions.
Wish Fulfilment Theory Karl Heinrich Marx (1818-1883), Religions were developed by the few as a means
German philosopher and to control the masses and suppress revolution as
Sociologist a result of the continuing struggle between
classes. Rulers and allied priests wished to
control all wealth so they had to create a scheme
of gods, heavens, and hell. Masses were
persuaded to accept poverty and be obedient to
inherit bliss in another life.
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), Religion originated from the guilt that
Austrian neurologist and founder individuals supposedly feel in hating their
father of psychoanalysis fathers. All males possess a similar tendency to
desire our mothers and hate our fathers. As a
 result of this subconscious hatred and ensuing
guilt, a great father image was projected in the
sky called God. A healthy mature person can
face problems without the need for gods or
religions.

GUIDE QUESTION
What was the use of religion to early humans?

EXPLORING SPIRITUALITY
A comparative analysis of major religions reveals that an important characteristic of their belief system focuses on the
longing for value in life (Parrinder 1971). For thousands of years, people have been searching and yearning to
understand the mystery of life and the universe. There may come a point in time when an individual realizes that life is
not entirely accidental and meaningless (Parrinder 1971). This is where the concept of spirituality comes in with the
term “spiritual” being defined as “relating or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical
things” (Oxford Dictionaries 2014). One author points out that it is quite common for people to say that they are
“spiritual, not religious” (Grassie 2010). Spirituality may be manifested in quite a number of ways. For example, a
person may believe in the presence of an overwhelming power greater than oneself or perhaps a person can be fully
mindful of one’s purpose in life. That person can also have a feeling of oneness or a bond with other living beings.
While spirituality is derived from the Latin word spiritus, its verb root is spirare which means “to breathe” literally.
There is an impression that people are surrounded by a “divine reality as pervasive, intimate, necessary, and invisible as
the air we breathe” which is similar to Hindu prana and Chinese chi. (Grassie 2010). While religions are frequently
viewed as set of ideals practiced and followed by organized groups, “spirituality is something an individual can have
without being implicated in the ambivalent complexity of human societies and institutions” (Grassie 2010). Although
traditional spirituality is frequently associated with religiosity, many people assert that personal spirituality can grow
separately from religion. One may find inner peace, satisfaction, and contentment in life that are truly independent of
religious dogmas and tenets.
In the study of religion, there are basic concepts that need to be understood such as theology, philosophy of religion, and
spirituality. While religion refers to any set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices concerning a supernatural power—
theology involves the systematic study of the existence and nature of the divine. It deals with the study of the nature and
purpose of god that may be undertaken using a particular perspective. Theology is a study, not a formulation of religious
beliefs. On the other hand, philosophy of religion deals primarily with issues concerning religion, which includes
analysis on the existence of a divine being or on sacred texts. It may involve studying the “concepts and belief systems
of the religions as well as the prior phenomena of religious experience and the activities of worship and meditation on
which these belief systems rest and out of which they have arisen” (Hick 1990). It seeks to analyze various concepts
such as god, spirit, karma, creation, immortality, heaven, hell, and purgatory among others. Philosophy of religion is not
a branch of theology but a branch of philosophy. It is said that this particular study need not be undertaken from a
religious perspective at all because atheists, agnostics, and the person of faith can and do philosophize about religion
(Hick 1990).
Meanwhile, spirituality is something an individual can have without being implicated in the ambivalent complexity of
human societies and institutions (Grassie 2010). Thus, spirituality can be described as one's integrative view of life and
involves a quest for the meaning and ultimate value of life as opposed to an instrumentalist or materialistic attitude to
life. Hence, one can be spiritual without being religious.
Summary/Key Points:
• Religion may refer to any set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices aimed at communicating or propitiating with
supernatural beings. Humans may recognize a superhuman being controlling power (such as a god or spirit) that seeks
worship and obedience from them.
• Various theories have been formulated that try to explain the origin of religions. Religion may have originated in
response to human’s need to explain their dreams and experiences as well as the need to understand the different forces
of nature, especially so that humans may have faced pain and ignorance in their daily struggle for existence in early
times.
• While religions are frequently viewed as sets of ideals practiced and followed by organized groups, spirituality
involves one’s integrative view of life that is more personal while affecting the human soul.

Activities:
1. Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blanks provided.

Column A Column B
___1. a belief in the existence of one God viewed a. theology
as the creative source of the human race and
the world
___2. relating or affecting the human spirit or soul that is b. agnosticism
one’s personal integrative view on
___3. the belief that there is only one God who c. polytheism
could have designed and created the universe
___4. the belief in many principal gods among whom no d. theism
one is supreme
___5. the belief that there is no genuine distinction e. worldview
between God and the universe
___6. denial of the existence of God f. monism
___7. the belief that God's existence is unknown g. monotheism
and unknowable
___8. an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, h. atheism
and rules used to worship a god or a group of god
___9. a collection of beliefs about life and the i. religion
universe held by people
___10. the systematic study of the existence and j. spirituality
nature of the divine

B.ESSAY5 points each.

1. Do you agree with specific theory of religion? Defend your answer.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you consider yourself religious, or spiritual? Explain.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
REFERENCE:

BOOK Introduction World Religions and Belief Systems (TEXTBOOK) Jerome Ong & Mary Dorothy dL. Jose
(Auditor/Editor)

INTERNET SOURCES
“Agnosticism.” New Advent. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01215c.htm (accessed September 22, 2014)
“Atheism.” New Advent. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02040a.htm (accessed September 22, 2014)
“Monism.” New Advent. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10483a.htm (accessed September 21, 2014)
“Monotheism.” New Advent. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10499a.htm (accessed September 22, 2014)
“Polytheism.” New Advent. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12223b.htm (accessed September 22, 2014)
“Spirituality.” University of Maryland Medical Center. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/spirituality
(accessed September 19, 2014)
The Free Dictionary. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ (accessed September 20, 2014)
WEBLINK Try visiting the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/22337834 and read the article entitled “Perspectives:
Mocking faith – how far can you go?.” What is your own personal take on the matter at hand? Share your insights in class.

“LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT ”

PREPARED BY:
Mrs. Juliet S. Antiquina