NAME: ___________________________________________________
STRAND: _____________________________________________________
SECTION: ___________________________________________________
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RECEIVED BY: __________________
Self-Learning Module
GRADE 11
Week no: 1
Worldviews, Belief Systems and Religion
As you start studying the module, I want you to set aside other task/s that
may disturb you while enjoying the lessons. Read the instructions below to
successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!
1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every
page of the module.
2. Don’t forget to answer Pre-test before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Analyze conceptually the Assessment and apply what you have
learned.
6. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
7. Enjoy studying!
8. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through
with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you
are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will experience
meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant
competencies. You can do it!
Differentiate the concept, elements and characteristics of belief system and
world view, religion, and spirituality.
At the end of this module, the student will be able to: a. understand the
dynamics of the different elements and characteristics of the belief systems,
world view and religion; b. distinguish the characteristics of religions,
spirituality and theology and; c. apply these belief in your interaction with
your fellowmen, the world, nature and God.
WORLDVIEW, BELIEF SYSTEMS AND RELIGIONS
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 is right.” “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.
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.
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.
HOW TO USE THE MODULE?
Most Essential Learning Competency
L ESSON 1
Expectations
4. Sinful acts
Usually a violation of the laws established by God which each member has
to follow. For example the Ten Commandments for Judaism and Christians
and the Five Pillars of Islam which when violated the believer commit a
grievous sin.
5. The Method of salvation
The belief in the afterlife or the idea of heaven and hell. If you are a good
believer you will go to heaven but if not, you will go to hell. Islam went
further by believing that if one’s life is sacrificed against the enemies of
Islam, their soul goes straight to heaven.
6. Mode of worship
Each religion has different expressions of worship which include praying,
kneeling, dancing, singing to name a few.
7. Liturgy and Ideology
Liturgy is described as public worship. It is a gathering of believers with ceremonies such as wedding
Ceremonies, worship services or bible studies.
8. Place of worship
Each religion has holy places which they believe God is present such as
churches, temples, mosques and other sacred places.
The elements or characteristics of religions mentioned above are necessary
for a particular religion to perpetuate their worldviews and belief systems.
Religion, Spirituality and Theology
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.” 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.
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? The table below shows the
difference between religious and being spiritual?
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
L ESSON 2
Religion applies discipline Spirituality applies destiny or faith
Religion makes us follow its journey Spirituality allows us to create our own
personal journey.
Religion and Theology
Most often theology and religion brought confusion in terms of meaning and
practice**.** 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 precedes 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 13 th century, St. Thomas Aquinas exemplifies this approach. His work is
called the “Summa Theologian” 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.
Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
Week 1
ACTIVITY SHEET
Question Worldview/ Belief System
1. Does God exist?
2. Is the world created by God?
3. Is there such thing as life after death?
4. Are there many gods or one God?
5. Is it necessary to pray?
NAME:_______________________________________________________
STRAND:_____________________________________________________
GRADE &
SECTION:___________________________________________________
SUBJECT
TEACHER:_____________________________________________________
DATE SUBMITTED: __________________
Pre-test
1. Answer the questions below based on your own worldview (pananaw).
2. What kind of worldview or belief systems do you have in your mind?
Write your answers in a yellow sheet of paper.
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
Guide 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?
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write your answers in
a yellow sheet of paper.
1. 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 b. Culture c. Spirituality d. Theology
2. 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 b. Philosophy of Religion c. Theology d.
Theocracy
3. 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 b. Pantheists c. Atheists d. Monotheists
4. A common behaviour of a member of any religious group is religious
protectionism which means that one’s religion is better that other.
Religious founders who even have no intention of founding a religion
could be puzzled by this attitude. What appropriate behaviour 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 preferences
c. Respect the freedom Religious preferences d. Proselytize and convert
other people to join your religion
5. Which statement is not a belief system?
a. I believe I can fly b. “An unexamined life is not worth living for’’
c.‘’Si Malakas at si Maganda to Filipinos version or Creation story.
d. he West Philippine sea belongs to Filipinos as affirmed by an as arbitrary
tribunal in Hague, Netherland.
6. Which is a set of beliefs used to understand the world?
a. World view b. Religion c. Belief system d. Theology
7. Which is called the different ways of each religion expresses their
faith?
a. the method of salvation b. place of worship c. Belief of the holy d. System
of rituals
8. 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.
9. Each religion has different expression of worship which is not included?
a. Praying b. kneeling c. Ideology d. singing to name of God
10. Which is used of Christians that symbolizes for cleaning from
sin?
a. Holy water b. Holy bible c. Place of worship d. White dress
Assessment
Rubric Craftsmanship ______ 50% Creativity __________25%
Originality__________25%
Total- 100%
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Page 3
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).
Worldviews are not all about God,
but these are also about our views
about reality, man, truth and
values. There are
also economic, political and social
worldviews.
Worldviews and belief systems are
necessary for religions in order to
protect and spread their own
particular belief as a
way of “keeping the faith” through
generations.
Catholic Christians keep in
their hearts the “Apostles’ Creed”
The Muslims practice “the
five pillars of Islam”,
The Shinto reveres the dead
ancestors or “Kami”,
the Confucians hold dearly the
necessity of past traditions, and
The Taoists embrace the
importance of being close to
nature.
Your beliefs shape your
worldviews but your beliefs and
worldviews are oftentimes shaped
by religion. There is a
complex interplay between
religion, belief and worldview.
Religions have different elements
and characteristics which
are non-negotiable. Members
should follow or undergo the
process to become genuine
believers.
The Characteristics of Elements
Religions
1. Belief in supernatural powers
The power which is beyond
human powers. The human
sufferings enable human being to
seek God’s help for
their problems.
2. Belief in the holy or sacred
This is the heart of every
religion. Every religion has sacred
books or texts. For example,
Scriptures and the Bible
are sacred for the Jews and so with
the Christians, Qur’an for Muslims
and Tripitaka for Buddhists and
Vedas for
Hindus. But something sacred is
not just books but also places,
symbols, animals, rocks and many
more. Hindus
for example believes that cows are
sacred because of their beliefs in
reincarnation.
3. Systems of rituals
These are the different ways
each religions expresses their faith.
Catholic Christians have the seven
sacraments which include
ceremonies and rituals. For
example, Baptism. A child must be
baptized at an early
age in the church with the presence
of parents, God parents, priest as
celebrator and the community that
supports the child. The most
important symbol of baptism is
water. It symbolizes cleansing
from sin. The child
also has to wear white dress to
symbolize purity.
1. Naturalism (e.g. Atheism,
Agnosticism, Existentialism). It
denies
the existence of God. The material
universe is all that exist.
2. Pantheism (e.g. Hinduism,
Taoism, Buddhism; much New
Age Consciousness. They believe
that only the spiritual dimension
exists.
All else is illusion. Man is spiritual
and eternal.
3. Theism (e.g. Judaism,
Christianity, Islam). It means
that God or gods
created the Universe and
continued to actively participate
of the world’s
activities and in human history.
4. Spiritism: The world is
inhabited by spirit beings who
govern earthly activities.
Man is created by gods like the
rest of the creatures on earth.
Material things are
real but they have spirits
associated with them.
5. Polytheism: This is the belief in
many gods or deities. The culture
of Ancient
Greeks and Romans depict this
kind of beliefs.
