IWRBS - Q1 - W1 - Module 1 2
IWRBS - Q1 - W1 - Module 1 2
IWRBS - Q1 - W1 - Module 1 2
Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park
Antonio J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila
Introduction to World
Religions & Belief
Systems
Worldviews ,Belief
Systems & Religion
module.
• Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.
• Looking Back to your Lesson - This section will measure what learnings and
skills did you understand from the previous lesson.
• Brief Introduction - This section will give you an overview of the lesson. •
Discussion - This section provides a short discussion of the lesson. This aims to
help you discover and understand new concepts and skills. • Activities - This is
a set of activities you will perform with a partner. • Remember - This section
summarizes the concepts and applications of the lessons.
• Check your understanding - It will verify how you learned from the lesson. •
Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire
module.
1
EXPECTATIONS
You will differentiate the concept, elements and characteristics of
belief system and world view religion.
Specifically, this module will help you to:
• understand the dynamics of the different elements and characteristics of the
belief system, world view and religion.
• appreciate the importance of one’s own beliefs and views as a believer of God
and;
• apply these beliefs in your interaction with your fellowmen, the world, nature
and God.
PRETEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.
_____1.A worldview is similar to_____________________________.
A. understanding about life belief system? A. I believe I can
B. belief system fly.
C. opinion D. both a & b
____ 2. Which statement is not a
2
4. Since time immemorial, belief to a divine being is practiced by people in
different cultural milieu and traditions. There are even those who worship
animals like the golden calf in in the Old Testament as their God. Other
culture even consider millions of small gods like the Hindus. How do you call
the people who believe in one God?
A. Polytheists C. Pantheists
B. Monotheists D. Atheists
5. As individuals we use different lenses in seeing things and realities around us.
Conflicts sometimes arise in defense of their point of view. Our pluralistic
society has also varied belief systems. What statement best described what a
belief system is?
A. A particular way of ordering the realities of the world.
B. The religious preferences of a person or group
C. Anything that we do and think about all the time.
D. A speculative thinking and ritualistic habit of different people.
Great, you finished answering the questions. You may request your
facilitator to check your work. Congratulations and keep on learning!
3
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The lesson will guide you in understanding the relationship of the following
concepts namely; Worldview, Belief Systems and Religion.
Theology
Source:Dreamstime.com
The above illustration shows the dynamics of worldview, belief system and religion.
You must be aware how these concepts play an important role in your daily life
especially in your relationship with the divine.
4
DISCUSSIONS
, Belief
Lesson
Systems
and 1
Religion
Worldview
World View and Belief Systems
Since childbirth there are rules or traditions that are imposed to you by your
parents and society where you belong. “Do this because this i s r ight.” “Be good to
others!” “Huwag kang gumawa ng masama kung ayaw mong ma-karma.”. These are
simple reminders of our parents. When you are brought to the school for your
education, same values or beliefs are being strengthened. In some period in your
life you became a member of a religious organization or perhaps by tradition. The
beliefs and values that you learned from your parents and school are reinforced by
the teachings of that specific religion. All that you have learned from your parents,,
school, religious affiliation and other influences became your belief system and
your worldview. Carol Hill describes worldview, as
“By w orldview (or belief system) I mean the basic way of interpreting things and
events that pervades a culture so thoroughly that it becomes a culture’s concept of
reality-what is good, what is important, what is sacred, what is real. It is more than
culture, even though the distinction between the two can sometimes be subtle. It
extends to perceptions of time and space, of happiness and well-being. The beliefs,
values, and behaviors of culture stem directly from its worldview.” ( Hill, 2007)
Often times you are not conscious of your own worldview unless it is challenged or
dared by other belief system. A very simple definition of a “worldview” is given by
Matt Slick. According to him a worldview is a set of beliefs used to understand
the world. Everyone has a set of principles by which to judge right and wrong and
which guides them in everyday living. You stop at a red light and go at a green. (
Cornejo, et al, 2019).
Google has a simple definition, it says, ”Belief systems are the stories we tell
ourselves to define our personal sense of ‘reality’ (the way things actually
exist). Every human being has a belief system that he/she utilizes and it is
through this mechanism that we individually “make sense” of the world
around us.” It could be a set of beliefs or a philosophy of life. Belief system
shapes your worldview about the world, your existence, and relationships with your
fellowmen. In other words, “ a worldview whether religious or nonreligious, is a
personal insight about reality and meaning, often termed a “life understanding”
which I may call a product of belief systems. Most often worldviews are shaped by
religions. Inside the box are worldviews about man’s perspective of God.
(Serapio,2016).
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1.
ACTIVITIES
Activity 1.
Song Analysis
Objective: Analyze the nature of God presented in the Song.
Directions:
1. Listen or read the song “Who Am I.”
2. Prepare a separate paper for your answer.
3. Answer the questions below?
Who Am I ( I am Yours)
Casting Crowns
Who am I that the Lord of all the A vapor in the wind
earth Would care to know my name, Still you hear me when I’m calling
Would care to feel my heart? Lord you catch me when I’m falling
And you told me who am I
Who am I, that the bright and morning I am yours.
star Would choose to light the way
From my ever wondering heart? Who am I, that the eyes that seen my
sin Will look on me with love
Not because of who am I And watch me rise again?
But because of what you’ve done Not
because of what I’ve done, but because of Who am I the voice that calm the
who you are sea Will call out to the rain
And calm the storm in me?
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow Whom shall I fear, whom shall I
A wave tossed in the ocean fear? I am yours
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Critical Thinking Questions:
1. What does the song “Who am I?” say about who we are as a
person? 2. What kind of God is presented in the song? Why?
3. How does faith in God provide answers to life’s questions? Give
example from your concrete experiences.
CHECK YOUR
UNDERSTANDINGSPACE
S INO AKO! A STRANGER FROM OUTER
Directions: Think of what these factors (worldview, belief systems, religion, values)
would help you in your direction towards life. You can present their influences
through a semantic web as shown below; For example you can start by writing,
“Religion makes me a better person.”
"ME" AS A
HUMAN BEING
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REMEMBER
• Worldview – worldview is a set of beliefs used to understand the world. The
basic way of interpreting things and events that pervades a culture so
thoroughly that it becomes a culture’s concept of reality-what is good, what
is important, what is sacred, what is real.
• Belief system - are the stories we tell ourselves to define our personal sense of
‘reality’ (the way things actually exist)
• Religion- Etymologically, the word came from ‘Religare’ - a Latin word which
means to bind fast or hold together, to secure, to bind,to fasten together, to
create a system of attitudes and beliefs.
• Naturalism- denies the existence of God. All that exist is the material
universe.
• Deism- believes that God or gods created the universe but God or gods no
longer actively involved in the continuous process of creation.
• Theism- It means that God or gods created the Universe and continued to
actively participate of the world’s activities and in human history. •
Panentheism- means that God or gods are the inner spiritual essence of
everything in the Universe.
• Monotheism- a belief in one God.
• Polytheism - a belief in many gods
• Sacred – something that possesses holiness.
• Religious Rituals – religious rites," which are the sacred, customary ways of
celebrating a religion or culture
POST TEST
Directions: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a
separate sheet of paper.
____1. A worldview is similar to_____________________________.
A. understanding about life C. belief system
B. opinion D. A & B
____ 2. Which statement is not a belief system?
A. I believe I can fly.
B. “An unexamined life is not worth living for.” (Socrates)
C. “Si Malakas at si Maganda” the Filipino version of Creation story. D. The
West Philippine sea belongs to Filipinos as affirmed by an as arbitrary
tribunal in Hague, Netherland.
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_____3. Identify the statement that does NOT describe a spiritual
person. A. A person who sees God always in all things.
B. A person who always goes to church on Sundays.
C. A person who experiences “Bodhi ” or “Enlightenment.”
D. A person who feels the force of nature and become one with it. _____4.
Since time immemorial, belief to a divine being is practiced by people in different
cultural milieu and tradition. There are even those who worship animals like the
golden calf in in the Old Testament as their God. Other culture even considers
millions of small gods like the Hindus. How do you call the people who believe in
one God?
A. Polytheists C. Pantheists
B. Monotheists D. Atheists
_____5. As individuals we use different lenses in seeing things and realities around
us. Conflicts sometimes arise in defense of their point of view. Our
pluralistic society has also varied belief systems. What statement best
describes what a belief system is?
A. A particular way of ordering the realities of the world.
B. The religious preferences of a person or group
C. Anything that we do and think about all the time.
D. A speculative thinking and ritualistic habit of different people. _____6.
Etymologically it comes from a Latin word, “Religare” which means “ to bind or
to tie.”
A. Spirituality C. Culture
B. Religion D. Theology
_____7. According to Deepak Chopra, “Religion is a belief to someone else’s
experience. Spirituality is having your own experience.” It means? A.
Spirituality answers the question, “Where do I find meaning?” while for
religion the question is “Where do I belong?’
B. Spirituality focus is what is right or wrong, while religion talks about
sacraments and rituals.
C. Spirituality it is about the question of true or false while religion is about
obedience to the laws.
D. Spirituality asks what rites, sacraments, or rituals should we follow while
Religion ask what are our values?
_____8. From the given statements below, consider the most appropriate behavior
or attitude if one is a member of a religious group?
A. Argue that his/her God is the real one.
B. Criticize other Religious beliefs.
C. Respect the freedom of Religion.
D. Proselytize and convert other people to join your religion
_____9. identiy which statement does not distinguish between Religion and
Spirituality?
A. Religion makes us vow, Spirituality set us free.
B. Religion shows us fear, Spirituality shows us courage
C. Religion tells the truth, Spirituality allows us to discover the truth.
D. Religion is real Spirituality is metaphysical.
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_____10. It is defined as broader than religion. It goes beyond religious affiliation
that strives for inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose even to
those who do not believe in God.
A. Animism C. Spirituality
B.Theology D. Philosophy
Lesson
2Religion,
Spirituality &
Theology
EXPECTATIONS
You will distinguish the characteristics of religion, spirituality and
theology.
Specifically, this module will help you to:
• broaden your knowledge of the concepts presented above;
• appreciate the uniqueness of each concepts; and
• observe their effects in your relationships with yourself, others and
God. PRETEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.
_____1. Science claims that God cannot be observed because God has no physical
attributes. However, religion is also claiming that God can be studied through
His manifestations and revelations. In fact St. Thomas Aquinas suggested Five
Ways in knowing God in his Summa Theologiae. What specific discipline studies
the nature of God and its manifestations? A. Spirituality C. Theology
B. Philosophy of Religion D. Theocracy
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_____2. English words came from different origins like Latin, Spanish, French and
old English terms. The choices below are no exceptions. Etymologically it
came from a Latin word, “Religare” which means “to bind or tie.” Which of
the words below refers to “religare”?
A. Religion C. Culture
B. Spirituality D. Theology
_____3. It is defined as broader than religion. It goes beyond religious affiliation that
strives for inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose even to those
who do not believe in God. We can even attain this status even if we don’t
belong to a specific religion. What is this term called?
A. Spirituality C. Animism
B. Theology D. Philosophy
______4. While there are many people who believe in God, others who also do not
believe in God. This belief was highlighted during the scientific age when
the saying, “To see is to believe” was foremost in the minds of people. If
nothing can be seen or observed or experimented then it does not exist.
God cannot be observed therefore God does not exist. What do you call the
persons that do not believe in God.
A. Buddhists C. Atheists
B. Pantheists D. Monotheists
______5. One of the statements reflects the beliefs of the Filipinos before
Christianity was introduced?
A. Filipinos are polytheistic.
B. Filipinos are monotheistic?
C. Filipinos are animistic?
D. Filipinos are polytheistic, monotheistic and animistic?
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3. Is there such thing as life after
death?
4. Are there many gods or one God?
5. Is it necessary to pray?
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Human beings since time immemorial continue to raise questions that have been
asked again and again such as Does God exists? Why are you here? Where did
you come from? Who created us? And where are we going? Our longing for
answers enable human beings to depend for a divine power or supernatural being
hopeful for some answers to the riddles of life. In the process, a person searching
for profound answers is the beginning of his encounter with the divine. Hence
religion was born.
Religion does not happen in a vacuum it develops in a certain space and time. In
this lesson we are going to explore the interconnectedness of geography and culture
as the grounds for the development of religion.
DISCUSSIONS
Religion and Spirituality
When you become a member of a religious organization, you normally sacrificed
your personal worldview in favor of the religious world view or set of beliefs offered
by that organization. Religion invites a person into a spiritual relationship with
some divine entity. This spiritual relationship stemmed from the belief that there
is a life after this world which is more important than physical life. Hence it is
the role of religion to invite all persons to believe in God for them to be saved from
this world.
Religion, etymologically is defined as coming from the Latin world, “religare” or
which means “to bind” or “ to tie. “However, Oxford English Dictionary points out
though that the etymology of the word is doubtful. Early writers like Cicero
connected the term with “relegere” which means “to read all over again.” (Cornejo et
al, 2019). Some persons even gave a negative definition of religion like Karl Marx,
the founder of Communism. He said the religion is the opium of the people. It
means we become so dependent with God that we rely everything to him and we
undermine our capabilities as human beings.
13
Popular view holds that you should become a member of a religious organization to
cultivate your spiritual life. Their views lead to the misunderstanding between
Religion and Spirituality. The question is: Is religion the same as spirituality? Can
you become a spiritual person without being a member of a religious organization?
What is the difference between being religious and being spiritual?
Deepak Chopra has a very interesting differentiation between religion and
spirituality. He said, “Religion is a belief to someone else’s experience while
Spirituality is having your own experience.”
Let us take a look at this illustration below to emphasize their differences by
starting with questions. (taken from the book, “Fundamentals of World Religions”
authored by Cornejo,Nigel,Ebia, Erlito and Ferrer, Paciano, 2019.p16)
Religion Spirituality
For religion the questions are: For Dejan Davchevski, religion and
What is true or false? What is right or spirituality are two different phenomena
wrong? Where do I belong? What ( lifecoachcode.com)
rituals, sacraments should I do?
For spirituality the questions are:
Where do I find meaning? What is my
purpose? Where do I find my direction
in life? What are my values?
From the questions above you can
deduce that religion and spirituality
have different concerns. Spirituality is
more of a personal experience concerns
with what are the essentials in life while
religion focuses more on membership,
rituals, right and wrong or truth and
falsity. Religion is more legalistic in
terms of practice of beliefs while
spirituality entails more freedom in
exercising what they believed.
Religion Spirituality
Religion makes us vow Spirituality sets us free Religion shows us fear Spirituality
shows courage Religion tells us the truth Spirituality allows us to discover the
truth
Religion separates from other religions Spirituality unites them Religion makes
us dependent Spirituality makes us independent Religion applies discipline
Spirituality applies destiny or faith Religion makes us follow its journey
Spirituality allows us to create our own personal journey.
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Going back to the question, “Can you become a spiritual person without becoming
a member of a religious organization? Definitely the answer is ,”Yes.” The line
between what is spiritual or religious may not be always clear or distinct depending
on the interpretation. (Serapio, 2016). At this point, I think you can now describe
the characteristics between religion and spirituality.
The descriptions above are not exclusive for each other. In fact, religion and
spirituality can blend harmoniously as Serapio expressed. The kernel of religion is
spirituality, and the essence of spirituality is God or the Supreme Being (Serapio,
2016). She added that Spirituality is:
1. Beyond all religions yet containing all religions.
2. Beyond all science yet containing all science.
3. Beyond all philosophy yet containing all philosophy
Religion and Theology
Most often theology and religion brought confusion in terms of meaning and
practise. Theology also believes about God just like religion but it utilizes more the
intellect to understand everything about God rather than faith alone. Theology is a
systematic study of God just like other disciplines such as philosophy, psychology,
sociology and other sciences. The priests, pastors, ministers or even lay people must
undergo theological trainings before they are ordained to become a priest or pastor
or minister. Theology is normally taken in the Seminaries or theological schools as
an academic subject. A priest who is a major in theology should undertake a
four-year course to get an AB Theology degree. Then he proceeds his masters and
doctoral degree in theology to become full pledge theologian. There is
a saying that most theologians lost their faith in God because they use only their
mind in knowing God more than faith.
Philosophical theology: Philosophy uses reason to explain the essence or the
ultimate reasons why things exist and where they come from. Philosophical
theology uses reason alone in knowing about God. A famous theologian in the
Catholic Church in the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas exemplify this approach.
His work is called the “Summa Theologiae” wherein one summa is devoted to the
“Five Ways of Knowing God.” Here the existence of God can be proven in five ways
using logical argumentation.
.
ACTIVITIES
Activity 1.1. Draw-out
Objective: Ponder on the difference between a religious person and a spiritual
person through a sketch.
Directions:
1. Sketch an image of a person who is “religious” but not spiritual” and a
person who is not religious but a “spiritual” person.
2. Use separate coupon bonds (short) in your illustration and then answer the
following guide questions below the illustration.
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Critical Thinking Questions:
1. How did you feel after accomplishing the task?
2. What important realization/s did you encounter while doing the task? 3.
Why is it important to distinguish the characteristics of these two concepts?
REMEMBER
• Religion- etymologically came from the Latin word ‘religare’ which means “to
bind” or “to tie” or some authors use the word ‘relegere’ meaning to read
again.
• Spirituality – tends to be more personal compared to religion which is more
organized and institutional.
• Theology- Is defined as the systematic study of the nature of the Divine and,
more broadly, of religious belief.
• Philosophical Theology – is the study of knowing God through the use of
logical reasoning.
• Sacred –
something that possesses holiness. It could refer to things, places,
symbols or divine entity,
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• Religious Rituals – religious rites," which are the sacred, customary ways of
celebrating a religion or culture.
• Animism - is defined as the belief in numerous spiritual beings concerned
with human affairs and capable of helping or harming human interests
POST TEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it in the space provided.
_____1. Science claims that God cannot be observed because it has no physical
attributes. However, religion is also claiming that God can be studied
through His manifestations and revelations. In fact St. Thomas Aquinas
suggested Five Ways in knowing God in his Summa Theologiae. What
specific discipline that studies the nature of God and its manifestations?
A. Spirituality C. Theology
B. Philosophy of Religion D. Theocracy
_____2. English words came from different origins like Latin, Spanish, French and
old English terms. The choices below are no exceptions. Etymologically it
came from a Latin word, “Religare” which means “to bind or tie.” Which of
the words below refers to “religare”?
A. Religion C. Culture
B. Spirituality D. Theology
_____3. It is define as broader than religion. It goes beyond religious affiliation that
strives for inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose even to those
who do not believe in God. We can even attain this status even if we don’t
belong to a specific religion. What is this term called?
A. Spirituality C. Animism
B. Theology D. Philosophy
______4. While there are many people who believe in God, there are others who also
do not believe in God. This belief was highlighted during the scientific age
when the dictum, “To see is to believe” was foremost in the minds of
people. If nothing can be seen or observed or experimented then it does
not exist. God cannot be observed therefore God does not exist. How do
you call the persons that do not believe in God.
A. Buddhists C. Atheists
B. Pantheists D. Monotheists
______5. One of the statements reflects the beliefs of the Filipinos before
Christianity was introduced?
A. Filipinos are polytheistic.
B. Filipinos are monotheistic?
C. Filipinos are animistic?
D. Filipinos are polytheistic, monotheistic and animistic?
17
______6. Jesus Christ and Buddha are spiritual persons. If they are considered
spiritual persons, then each one of us could also attain the same status in
some stages of our journey towards life. Identify what statement does NOT
describe a spiritual person below.
A. A person who sees God always in all things.
B. A person who always goes to church on Sundays
C. A person who experiences “Bodhi ” or “Enlightenment.”
D. A person who feels the force of nature and become one with it. ______7.
Our relationship of the divine is always described as religious and spiritual.
However, being religious is not always spiritual and being spiritual is not always
religious. There are people who are religious but not spiritual and vice versa. What
phrase below best describes the relationship between religion and spirituality?
I. Religion makes us vow, Spirituality set us free.
II. Religion shows us fear, Spirituality shows us courage
III. Religion tells the truth, spirituality allows us to discover
the truth.
IV. Religion is complex, Spirituality is paradoxical.
A. I C. I, II & III
B. I & II D. I, II, III & IV
______8. This is a Filipino pre-Spanish belief that was considered pagan by the
Spaniards. Normally when we pass by a big tree in the forest we must say ,
“tabi-tabi po,” as a sign of respect to other beings around. This is part of
our culture and it is defined as the belief in numerous spiritual beings
concerned with human affairs and capable of helping or harming human
interests. What is this belief?
A. Monism C. Theism
B. Animism D. Henotheism
______9. A common behavior of a member of any religious group is religious
protectionism which means that one’s religion is better than others.
Religious founders who even have no intention of founding a religion could
be puzzled by this attitude. What appropriate behavior should be displayed
if you are a member of a religious group?
A. Prove that your God is the real one.
B. Criticize other Religious beliefs and traditions.
C. Respect the freedom of Religious preferences.
D. Proselytize and convert other people to join your religion.
_____10. This term is often misunderstood as the same as believing in God. It is
defined as the systematic study of the nature of the Divine and, more
broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically
in universities.
A. Philosophy C. Theology
B. Teleology D. Archaeology
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REFERENCES
Online Sources
https://www.etymonline.com/word/religion
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_geography#cite_note-Kong2010-9)
Books:
McKinney, Laurence O. (1994). Neuroethology: Virtual Religion in the 21st Century
retrieved from https://www. Amazon.com>Nuerotheology-Virtual-2
Ramos, Christine Carmela R. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human
Person.Rex Bookstore.2016
Cornejo, Nigel L., et al. Fundamentals of World Religions. MaxCor Publishing House,
Inc., 2019
Serapio, Maria Perpetua Arcilla. Introduction to World Religions for Senior High
School. Mindshapers Co., Inc. 2016
Vega, Violeta A. et al. Social Dimensions of Education. Lorimar Publishing Inc., 2009
Ramos, Christine Carmela, PhD. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human
Person. Rex Bookstore.2016
Newberg, Andrew (2010). Principles of Neurotheology. Retrieved from
www.npr.org>2010/12/15>neurotheology-where-religi...
Acknowledgements
ANSWER
KEYL esson 1
PRETEST 1.C
2.A
1.d
3.A
2.a
4.C
3.b
5.C
4.b
5.c
POSTTEST
1.C
Lesson 2.A
3.A
2 4.C
5.C
POSTTEST 6.B
1.d 7.C
2.a 8.B
3.b 9.C
4.b 10.C
5.c
6.b
7.d
8.c
9.d
10. c
PRETEST
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Directions:
1. Reflect and write briefly your concept about “Religion” using the title below.
My Idea of Religion
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
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REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET
Name ____________________________________________ Grade and Section ___________
School: ______________________ Date: _____________ Subj. Teacher: _______________
Quarter: Module No.: I Week No.: 2 MELC: Differentiate the characteristics of
religion, spirituality and theology.
Objectives: Express respect in each beliefs about God whether personal or
institutional through journal entry.
Topic: Religion, Spirituality and Theology
Directions: Read and analyze each question. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.
1. Loving and respecting all religions does not mean you have to agree in all the
beliefs and rituals. If you are going to choose a religion which you want to
join, what will you choose? Explain briefly?
2. In the midst of our experience of the Covi-19 pandemic, how can you
strengthen your relationship with God?
3. Karl Marx, the founder of Communism commented that “Religion is the
opium of the people. Which means we become very dependent to God in our
daily needs. Can you give at least 3 rebuttals why Karl Marx is wrong?
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