Introduction to the world

Religions and beliefs system

THE CONCEPT, ELEMENTS, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF BELIEF

SYSTEM,
WORLDVIEW, RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY

Durkheim (1951) shared that religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred
things, set apart and forbidden—beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community
called a church, all those who adhere to them.

It is expressly stated and organized belief system. It has an external focus and formal structure. Its goal
is ‘salvation’ though one truth and one right way. It is faith based. People inherit sinfulness. It gives
significance to praise and worship. Belief in a superhuman power outside of you, the creator of
universe. Dictated belief or conditioned mind. God is inside the Mind.

A worldview is a view of the world, used for living in the world. A world view is a mental model of
reality — a comprehensive frame work of ideas & attitudes about the world, ourselves, and life, a
system of beliefs, a system of personally customized theories about the world and how it works — with
answers for a wide range of questions: What are humans, why are we here, and what is our purpose in
life? What are your goals for life? When you make decisions about using time — It is the stuff life is
made of — What are your values and priorities? The two concepts “Philosophy” and “worldview” are
closely related. Talking about “Philosophy” in its broadest sense refers in fact to a worldview. It is the
case for example when we speak about the philosophy of the Inuit or the Maya. It summarized the
relationships between worldview and philosophy. With the definition which will follow, our position
tends towards what he calls “worldview crowns philosophy”, that is, constructing a worldview is the
highest manifestation of philosophy.

Belief system are beliefs that fit together in a system to make sense of the universe and our place in it.
It can be shared, and its ideals are practiced by a group. It is an ideology or set of principles that helps
us to interpret our everyday reality. This could be in the form of Religion, Political Affiliation,
Philosophy, or Spirituality, among many other things. These beliefs are shaped and influenced by a
number of different factors. Our knowledge In a certain topic, the way we we’re raised, and even peer
pressure from others can help to create and even change our belief systems the convictions that come
from these systems are a way for us to make sense of the world around us and to define our role within
it.

According to Parikh, Rohit Manilal (2020) spiritually is an inner part of our life for receiving inner
urge and dignity within for living a better & worthy life to make the life for faithful action to live in a
better mode. For death it is certain for entire human being for which the time & period is unknown as it
also our final journey for which everyone must go with an empty hand.

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On the other hand, Sheldrake (2005) writing in a specific context of spirituality from a Christian
perspective says that ‘Christian spirituality embodies a conscious relationship with God, in Jesus
Christ, through the dwelling of the Spirit, in the context of a community of believers. However, this
was not always the way in which spirituality as a concept was perceived; earlier meanings ‘tended to
see a diction between spiritual and material levels of human existence, between “interiority” or a life of
prayer and an outer everyday public life’. What is clear is that spirituality is closely connected with
religion ‘but not exclusively contained by it’, to use Ursula King’s (2009) words.

It also refers to beliefs about what is good, true and beautiful. It unites people over society. It has belief
within individuals. It has an internal focus. Its goal is to ‘determine principles, values and ethics. It is
based on spiritual laws. Heaven is a state mind. It gives importance on human relationship/deed,
peoples inherit goodness, spiritual and development, authentic self, personal belief or values system
and joyous living. Belief that the divine is within us. God is inside the heart

A. BELIEF SYSTEM
1. Concepts
2. Propositions
3. Rules
B. RELIGION
1. Wisdom – scared writings and oral tradition
2. Worship – rituals express the emotional experience to have the right attitude toward God and
others.
3. Works – holiness in action or daily lives, commandments to live by
C. WORLDVIEW
1. View in life, the world, and humanity, is regularly used in religious education.
2. More personal and broader (i.e., secular) interpretation of views on life than “religion”.
(Casanova 2007; Davie 2000)
D. SPIRITUALITY
1. Natal Faith – one is born into a particular faith and inducted into its religious traditions
and institutions
2. Adolescent Separation – questions are asked, and no adequate answers are given
3. Secular Identification – lost contact with natal faith and or renounced institutional
affiliation
4. Secular Disillusionment – the transition to secular society does not fulfill the person
5. Adult Secular Spirituality – the child then develops his or her own secular spirituality
outside his or her known religious influence which may include church, synagogue,
temple and so on.

CHARACTERIST BELIEF SYSTEM WORLDVIEW RELIGION SPIRITUALITY

ICS
Personal It can be used for A code when use in Awareness of the
commitment is one religious and a religious sense, is self
of most observable secular views on simply a summary
and interesting life. Thus, the of the principles The first
features of an concept “religion” and guidelines by characteristic of
ideology. If it were is a subcategory of which people spirituality is a
not for the fact of the concept choose which heightened
personal “worldview”. A “ACTIONS” are awareness of the
commitment, belief religion or a good, and which to self. By “Self”, I
systems could not religious worldview avoid. am not referring to
have strong social acknowledges the individual
systems would not ground for being personality, the
be so interesting. that cannot be “you” you think
known in our you are and have
“ordinary” identified with your
entire life
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 experiences or
through scientific
research. Secular
worldviews do not
acknowledge such
grounds (Vroom
2006)
Belief systems have It can refer to a It is a set of A practice of Peace,
an existence that is more organized as MORAL Joy and
independent of their well a personal PRINCIPLES and Unconditional Love
committed view on life, the guidelines that must as you pursue a
believers. The world, and be respected and spiritual path, you
believers do not humanity. By followed by those will inevitably
wholly contain the “organized who would be develop a much
belief system; in worldview” we identified as greater feeling of
fact, they are mean a view on life members of the joy, peace and
unlikely to be that has develop religion. unconditional love
aware of more than over time into a for yourself and
a small part of it more or less everyone around
and, knowingly or coherent and you.
unknowingly, they established system
must take the rest with certain
of the belief system (written and
of faith. unwritten) sources,
traditions, values,
rituals, ideals, or
dogmas. An
organized
worldview has a
group of believers
who adhere to this
particular view on
life (Van deer
Kooij, De Ruyter,
and Miedema 2013)
Psychological Existential Refers to Focus on Non –
mechanism such as questions are a “ETHICAL physical goals - A
cognitive conceptually VALUES” and the spiritually minded
congruence may necessary part of system of Moral person recognizes
help explain “worldview”; they Practice directly the physical goals
individual distinguish a resulting from an are never the true
commitment, but worldview from adherence to aim of any life
they do not other views on life, beliefs. experience instead,
necessarily explain the world, and their focus shifts to
the connectedness humanity such as immaterial goals.
of a belief system the views of
in human society. political parties.
Existential
questions are
matters of ultimate
concern by which
persons are grasped
and which are taken
with unconditional
seriousness in their
life (Tillich 1965, 7
ff)
The life span of a This often a
belief system is difficult element to
potentially longer describe, because it
than the life span of involves so many
believers “DIVERSE
ELEMENTS”
Belief system vary Refers to the way
almost infinitely in of worshipping to
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substantive content the RITUALS, that
are practiced by the
followers of the
religion.
The boundaries of a Briefly a creed is a
belief system are “Summary of the
generally, although PRINCIPLES
not always, beliefs of a
undefined. religion”
Collections of
beliefs do not
generally have neat
boundaries.
The elements A creed is a SET
(concepts, OF TRUTHS that
propositions, rules, must be accepted
etc.) of belief and agreed to by
systems are not those who wish to
consensual. That, is belong to the
the elements of one religion, those who
system might be choose to be a
quite different from follower or disciple.
those of a second in
the same content
domain.
Belief system are in Refers to the
part concerned with THEOLOGICAL
the existence or BELIEFS and
nonexistence of scriptures or HOLY
certain conceptual WRITINGS of
entities. God, religion.
Motherland,
Witches, and
Assassination
conspiracies are
examples of such
entities.
Belief system often
include
representations of
alternative worlds,
typically as the
world as it should
be
Belief system rely
heavily on
evaluative and
affective
components. There
are two aspects-to
this one
“cognitive”; the
other
“motivational”
Belief systems are
likely to include a
substantial amount
of episodic material
from either
personal experience
or (for cultural
beliefs systems)
from folklore or
(political doctrines)
from propaganda.
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 The concept set to
be included in a
belief system is
usually highly
“open”. That is, it is
unclear where to
draw a boundary
around the belief
system, excluding
as irrelevant
concepts lying
outside.
Beliefs can be held
with varying
degrees of certitude

The believers can

be passionately
committed to a
point of view, or at
the other extreme
could regard a state
of affairs as more
probable than not.

WHO IS A SPIRITUAL PERSON?

1. Awareness of the self – one has to become aware of one’s body-you will become aware of
your gestures, movements and so on.; watch your thoughts in an aloof manner as an
observer; see the deep-rooted feelings & subtlest emotions.
2. Focus on Non-Physical Goals – a spiritual person has [have] set a non-physical goal,
which will often engage and enhance their own spiritual pursuit. They see material
possessions and physical experiences as a side effect of their more fundamental aim. In
other words, while the physical aims become less important, they do not necessarily
disappear. Instead, it is a matter of priority, and the reason why a person peruses their
aim.
3. Integrity – is the qualitative outcome of the integral being. The integration happens only
if the fragmentation is no more. This is possible only when this mind, which is the bundle
of thoughts, emotions, memory & fears, is transcended. As the spontaneous outcome of
this integrated wholeness, quality called integrity arises.
4. Non-Attachment – a spiritual master fully aware of his body, thoughts, emotions & ideas
but is simply unattached to it.
5. Love – it comes out of such a person like water flows out of a fountain! It is unconditional
and it is available to all.
6. Compassion – is the purest form of love plus meditation. Compassion is neither the duty
nor the psychological love. It’s neither sympathy nor empathy. Compassion is the quality
that comes from the beyond the thought-mind! A real compassionate spiritual master is a
one who gives without giving. It’s a kind of unconditional sharing! A saint, a criminal
and a prostitute, all are equal when it comes to the sharing of such a master!
7. Innocence – to regain this innocence is the real maturity, the ultimate flowering.
8. Courage – one puts aside all his fears and is ready to jump into the unknown. When one
carries this courage in every situation in life to face the unknown, it ultimately flowers
into the fearlessness.
9. Friendliness – it is a quality. It’s a state of being. The awakened one caries this feeling of
friendliness for everything and everyone around. Friendliness is a quality in which arises
the freedom. Freedom is not just opposite of possessiveness, but it is dimensionally
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 different phenomenon. It simply allows everything to happen around the master with love
overflowing.
10. Humor – for such a person, like is an everyday picnic! It’s celebration! These are the
people who enjoy life because the hindrance joy from the thought-mind is not there.
When the achievement-oriented mind is transcended the becoming gets transformed into
being.
11. Humility – so also the spiritually evolved person becomes humble and simple. An
awakened one is not the storehouse of the barrowed informative knowledge, but he
remains always in the state of not knowing, which is the humblest state of being
12. Acceptance – if everything is existence that life offers is accepted as it is, the life becomes
a celebration unto itself. Unconditional acceptance of all that is there in the existence to
the most virtuous and aesthetic quality of evolved human consciousness.
13. Maturity – a mature person is a one who always live in the present moment. To be in the
present moment to be in the eternal nowness. When ego is no more, maturity happens.
Maturity is the ultimate flowering of meditation.

WHO IS A RELIGIOUS PERSON?

1. There is usually a greater focus on the external such as House of Worship (e.g., Church),
Books of Scripture, External Rituals, and Observances.
2. They have an affiliated organization which structured and rule-based that governs their
behaviors. Moral Rules, Laws, and Doctrine, as well as specific codes and criteria, create
the organize structure that contains the religion’s specific belief system.
3. They conservatively guard their practices and values, holding rigidly to the past and
original interpretation to the founder’s teachings. This is understandable in that all
religions wish to preserve the essence of their teachings so they maybe accurately
transmitted through history.
4. Their belief in something based upon the unconditional acceptance of the religion’s
teachings. Religion do not require evidence to validate their claims. Through religion,
you have taught to have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and the
ultimate truth and reality.
5. A religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by his or her religion. He
or she observes the right and practices, such as regularly attending church services on
Sunday for Christian, observing the sabbath for Jews, and fasting during the Ramadan
for Muslims.
HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT OF THE DIFFERENT
RELIGIONS

Religions have their origin stories and are universal in nature. Geography and culture
influence the establishment and development of Religions.

A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Prehistoric humans, such as the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, have practiced a set of
belief systems like in burying their dead, painting on the walls of caves and carrying images from
stones.
The existence of humankind for so long a time has resulted in the formation of religion and
belief systems. It is certain that many religions may have been unrecorded in the past. Others may have
gradually died down like Zoroastrianism that one flourished in South Asia but is now only confined in
Iran, and Central Asia.
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The Patriarch Abraham
Played a major role in the establishment of the three monotheistic religions: namely,
Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which account for more than half of the world’s total population. As
such, these organized religions are collectively known as ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS. The
importance of Abraham in these three religions lies in the fact that the patriarch appears as elemental
(primary) figure for monotheistic belief system and a paragon (exemplar) for extreme devotion.

B. GEOGRAPHY OF FAITH

THE WESTERN FRONTIER

West Asia is the home of three great religions (Judaism, Christianity & Islam). Religions have
increasingly become involve in domestic politics of West Asia, resulting in prolonged conflicts
among countries that have claimed thousands of lives. Israel remains the only country in the world
with a Jewish-majority population comprising almost 75 % of citizens.

The Abraham Peninsula, the world’s largest peninsula, consist of countries that are
Predominantly Islamic in Character. (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates,
Yemen and Oman). Most West Asian countries follow Shi’a and Sunni dominations of Islam. Iran
and Iraq associate themselves with the Shi’a sect while Muslims in Saudi Arabia belong to Sunni
Branch.

The topography of West Asia is Characterized by vast areas of mountainous terrains which
played significant roles in many religious beliefs as these landforms provide ideal setting where
gods lives or where gods and mortal meet.

Jerusalem has been sacred for the Christians for almost two thousand years now. Important
sites include Mount Zion and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is the site of the Golgotha
(or the place of crucifixion) and the empty tomb of Jesus Christ. Lastly, Jerusalem has been sacred
for the Muslims for almost 1400 years now. For the Sunni Muslims, it is their third holiest city.
Located at the Temple Mount, the Islamic Dome of the Rock is the most recognizable structure in
Jerusalem. It is believed that the rock is spot from which Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Likewise, the 1st & 2nd temple are believed to lie beneath or near the shrine. Another Islamic
structure is the Al-Aqsa Mosque associated with the night journey undertaken by Muhammad.

The Indian Subcontinent

The subcontinent of South Asia covers an area more than one and a half million square miles
stretching from the Hindu Kush and Baluchi Hills on the west and the Great Himalayan mountain range
on the north, to the Burmese mountain in the east and the Indian Ocean in the south. More than 4000
years ago, a civilization emerged along the Indus River that develop a unique culture long before the
dawn of the Christian era. Invasions from people originating in Macedonia and Central Asia have
added diversity to India’s population and complexity to its culture.

Because sweltering heat is one major feature of India’s ecological setting, it is no wonder that
Hindus revere the sun (Surya) and fire (Agni). Water also plays a major role as evidenced by Hindus
venerating a god of water and celestial oceans (Varuna). The South Asian countries of India,
Pakistan, and Bangladesh depend on the rivers of Indus, Ganga-Yamuna & Brahmaputra.
Traversing the great plains of north India, the Ganga (Ganges) is the holiest river for the Hindus.
From its point of origin to its confluence with the ocean, many ancient pilgrimage sites and cities line
up along the Ganga that include Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayag and Varanasi. Even Buddhists

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consider Varanasi as an important religious site. During the olden days, there was once a deer park in
Samath which is now a residential area in Varanasi. In this park, Siddharta Gautama gave his first
sermon about the principles of Buddhism. It is presently marked by the Chaukhandi Stupa
monument. The Eastern end

At the eastern end of the great Asian continent one finds the cultural and political dominance of
China. The location of China proper in the valleys of two great bodies of water, the Huang He and
Yangtze, is a quite favorable because of the support these streams provide to the Chinese people that
made historic China the center of culture. From the river valleys emerged small states now controlled
by the first recorded dynasties, the Shang and the Zhou. It is within his context that the great
Confucius became fascinated with ethical questions and mortality in government officials.

Confucius, the main person behind the social philosophy, did not intended to start a new religion but
rather expound on the nature of order and stability in the society. With the growth of Confucianism
and the development of Urban Chinese culture the, shamanism began to decline in China. By the time
of Han Dynasty, Confucian teaching had become the State Religion. In Korea, it began to
disseminated extensively around the 15th century. In Japan, it was accepted by the majority during the
18th &19th centuries.

Daoism emerge in response to the widespread warfare and social turmoil that besieged the Zhou
dynasty. It serves as guiding principle to abandon and withdraw from the disorder brought about an
incessant struggle for power, wealth and prestige. The common people began to oppose the rising
authoritarian rule and rigidity of the moralist of social adversities and the conformity to social patterns
with the aim of attaining social harmony.

As the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje being influenced by China, Korea also adopt
Buddhism and Confucianism from the mainland. Japanese representatives to China picked the useful
aspects of Chinese culture, imported and adapted these elements to their own need. These Japanese
feudal (old) system embraced the idea of Confucianism. Ancestors worship complimented elements of
Confucianism and Daoism that is underscored the concept of filial piety (devotion to family. The entry
of Buddhism in Japan in the 4th and 8th centuries had a direct effect in their religious traditions.

a. Shinto was introduced to distinguish native from foreign religion).

b. Shinto followers acknowledge that the numerous buddhas and bodhisattvas were relations of the
kami.
c. Fusion between Shintoism and Buddhism
d. Japan developed a unique form of Buddhism talking its fullest meditative form under Zen.

C. CULTURAL MILIEU

World religions can be regarded along the lines of their exclusivity or non-exclusivity. Exclusive
religions are oftentimes monotheistic with Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Meanwhile, non-
exclusive religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, & Shintoism.
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The History of RELIGION

History of Religion refers to the written record of human religious experiences and ideas. This
period of religious history begins with the Invention of writings about 5,200 years ago (3200 BCE)

The prehistory of religion relates to a study of religious beliefs that exist prior to the advent of
written records. The timeline of religion is comparative chronology of religion.

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  Christianity began in Palestine in the A.D. 1st Century. It was founded on the Jesus of Nazareth
and develop by Paul the Apostle
 Islam originates in the Middle East, especially in Mecca, now part of Saudi Arabia. It’s the place
where the Prophet Muhammad was born, lived and died. The Prophet was born around 500 CE
and he received the first revelation from God in the year 610 CE
 Judaism is a religious tradition with origins dating back nearly four thousand years, rooted in the
ancient near eastern region of Canaan (which is now Israel and Palestinian territories).
 Hinduism is a religion, or a way of life, found most notably in India and Nepal.
 The History of Buddhism spans from the 5th century BC to the present; which arose in and
around the ancient Kingdom of Magadha (now in Bihar, India)
 Shinto (Japanese, “the way of the gods”), Japanese cult and religion, originating in prehistoric
times, and occupying an important national position for long periods in the history of Japan,
particularly in recent times
 Both Confucianism and Taoism originated in China with Confucius and Lao Tzu respectively as
the founders.

INFLUENCE OF RELIGION TO CULTURE AND SOCIETY

The beliefs, values and ideas of religious traditions have made, and continue to make, significant
contributions to the development of human societies and cultures. Religious belief systems articulate
responses to questions relating to human nature, identity and purpose, and urge believers to embrace
the imperative to live ethical lives. In essence, religious provide a frame of reference for understanding
the world and for guiding personal and communal action. This course investigates what religion is and
what role religion plays in the lives of individuals in the society; how religious traditions respond to the
human search for meaning;