Module 2

Week No: 3 – 5

Title of Module: Faith in God

This module consists of (2) lessons namely:

Lesson 1: Religion and Rationality
Lesson 2: Ethics, Religion and Culture; The Life and Values As Shown by
Rev. Fr. Vicente R. Catapang

Overview
Now that we have a basic understanding of what it means to be a Brahman, we will focus
on the value that the university wants us to learn and embrace. We will examine the significance
of having faith. We will also consider how our faith in God can be beneficial to us. The examples
of the founders will also serve as a guide and source of inspiration on our journey to comprehend
our first core value and what it takes to uphold this Brahman characteristic.

Expected Output: Matrix, Vlog, Quiz

Module Time Allotment (weeks or hours): 3 weeks / 9 hours

LESSON 1: Religion and Rationality

ABOUT THE LESSON:

Religion gives meaning and purpose in life, strengthens social unity and stability, acts as
a social control agent, promotes psychological and physical well-being, and may motivate people
to work for positive social change. Rationality, on the other hand, helps an individual in achieving
many goals in life and being happy, as well as ensuring that a person does not compromise social
norms, values, and ethics for the sake of his own happiness. This lesson examines the role of
religion and rationality in developing and strengthening one's personal faith.

At the end of the lesson, you can:

LO1. Discuss one’s personal idea of faith;
LO2. Explain the five major religions of the world; and
LO3. Reflect on the significance of having faith to one’s personal life.

LEARNING OUTPUTS/REQUIREMENTS: Matrix, Quiz

LESSON TIME ALLOTMENT: 2 weeks / 6 hours

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LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Importance of FAITH in our Lives

Kindly watch the video by clicking the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk66LfKbadQ

Reflect and Share

After watching the video, answer te question:

“What does FAITH mean to you, and why is it significant?”

Address: Governor Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City 4217, Batangas, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 Five Major Religions in the World

As much as the world has evolved since its inception,

and as far as man has progressed, there are still questions
and phenomena that cannot be answered. Man has always
struggled with questions such as his very existence, purpose
in life, and many others. Certain events, whether natural or
supernatural, have such an impact on him that he sometimes
lacks comprehension. When he has expended all effort and
stretched the limits of reason, his efforts frequently (if not always) lead to the conclusion that
things happen for a reason, and a higher being (with its infinite wisdom, power, and superlatives)
is identified as the prime mover, the reason; the very foundation behind everything.

More often than not, one is born and becomes a "de

facto" member of the religion of his parents or elders. He will
be raised with its teachings, which will shape his persona.
Religion thus plays an important role in a person's
development. Religion is derived from the Latin term "religare,"
which means "to bind together." It is also referred to as having
faith in a "supernatural being" and belonging to a community of people that eventually becomes
an institution whose members are united by the same religious beliefs and practices. Being a
member of a religion usually entails having faith in God. Having faith means having complete trust
in something or someone for which there is no absolute proof, or having strong conviction in
something or someone.

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 Whether you are spiritual or not, you will become a
member of a religion. Perhaps you have your own way of
communicating and relating to a higher being. Interestingly,
if one looks closely at the existing five most popular religions
(in terms of number of believers), one will notice that they all
originated in the east, specifically in Asia. More importantly,
we Filipinos are revered for our faith. Tagalogs (specifically,
we Batangueños) are known in the local diaspora for our
strong faith in God. Faith has been our fortress, shielding us
from whatever economic, political, and even natural disasters have befallen us in recent years.
Here are some of the world's five most popular religions. Examine whether you are a member of
one of them and whether you agree with their basic description and tenets.

BUDDHISM

The major tenet of this religion is that life is inherently not easy
and is endowed with sufferings, pain and frustrations. Usually when
a human being undergoes suffering, he strives to achieve goodness
because he believes that it is his way of avoiding disappointments.
This pattern is called as “Reactive Cycle”. This cycle is composed of
habitual “wanting and hating”, “liking and disliking” and lastly “craving
and “aversion”. In order to move away from this cycle, one may
engage in meditation which brings forth wisdom and deeper
knowledge of thing as they are. It also helps in gaining acceptance.
Buddhism is popular within Asia specifically within the Southeast Asian Photo taken from:
owlcation.com
Region. The main object of worship of this religion is Siddhartha
Gautama Buddha or simply Buddha.

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 Types of Meditation

• Samatha – it is done by constantly

practicing mindfulness in breathing and by
doing things with loving kindness (also
known as Metta Bhavana) on the other
hand, when one practices;
• Vipassana – a person’s goal is to making
his/her vision into reality. Photo taken from: quora.com

Common Celebrations / Festivals

• Wesak, also spelt ‘Vesak’, is a day celebrated

by Buddhists around the world. The
term Vesak comes from the name of a month in
the Indian calendar.

WESAK DAY
Photo taken from: freepik.com

• Dharma Day is celebrated in Theravada

countries on the full moon day of July. It marks
the beginning of the Buddha's teaching. Soon
after the Buddha's enlightenment, he went to find
his disciples and tell them about his experience.
The Buddha's first sermon is believed to have
DHARMA DAY
taken place in the Deer Park at Sarnath. Photo taken from: dreamstime.com

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 • Sometimes called the Second Buddha,
Padmasambhava is both a historical and a mythic
figure of Tibetan Buddhism. On Padmasambhava
Day, they rejoice in the transformative energy of
this great teacher. Sitting in a posture of royal ease
and wearing a wrathful grin, he subdues their
demons with his right hand and holds a skull cup PADMASAMBHAVA DAY
Photo taken from: padmaloka.org.uk
of amrit nectar in his left. His staff, or khatvanga,
reminds them of the power of transformation, and the vulture feather in his cap symbolizes
the bird who flies the highest.

• The Buddha exhorted them to meet in large

numbers to practice and that’s what they do on
Sangha Day. On this day, they can reflect on their
own spiritual friendships and rejoice in them.

SANGHA DAY
Photo taken from: learnrligious.com

CHRISTIANITY

This has branched into several sects over its two-thousand

year history. This religion is founded by Jesus Christ. Usually
the followers of this religion believe in the Trinitarian Doctrine
(meaning there is one God but in three persons: Father (the
creator), Son (Jesus Christ - the Savior) and Holy Spirit (the
advocate). Aside from this, Christians also believe that one will
achieve “Life Everlasting” through belief in Jesus Christ who
became man, who was sent by the Father to spread the MOST COMMON REPRESENTATION
OF JESUS CHRIST
“Good news of Salvation” and his salvation of humanity by Photo taken from: bible.fandom.com

dying through the cross. Since then he was resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven.
Christians also use as sacred text the “Holy Bible” which is composed of the “Old Testament” and
“New Testament”

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 The Roman Catholic Church maintains seven (7)
“Sacraments” which are practices from which its believers
derive the “grace” or favor from God to achieve a holy life. It
is comprised of Baptism, Holy Eucharist or Holy Mass,
Confirmation, Holy Orders or Priesthood, Confession,
Matrimony or Marriage and the Anointing of the Sick.
However, not all religions that branched out from Roman
Catholicism especially those oriental/orthodox churches
and more so, protestant and even evangelical Christian
churches have these practices. Most only practice baptism
as a form of initiation but others have different forms of SEVEN SACRAMENTS
Photo taken from: alamy.com
worship and rituals.

Common Celebrations / Festivals

• Christmas Day is one of the most important days of the

Church year, second only to Easter itself. Celebrating the
birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the culmination of the
mystery of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming
flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment"). It is a
uniquely Christian teaching, the Divine choosing to
become one of us. Because of this belief, God is not only
CHRISTMAS DAY
Transcendent, but also wholly Immanent, Emmanuel Photo taken from: catholicfaithstore.com

(God-with-us). While remaining Transcendent (meaning we must rise above our present
condition to reach Him), He is at the same time Immanent (meaning He is with us as we rise
toward Him). Every Eucharist is like Christmas where the bread and wine are transformed into
His flesh, His Body and Blood, and, in a sense, He is born anew on the altar.

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• Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the
dead. It is celebrated on Sunday, and marks the end of
Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter
Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter
Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of
the liturgical year. EASTER
Photo taken from: crosswalk.com

• Fiesta is a tradition with a religious connotation. As

85% of the Filipinos are Catholics, Fiesta is often always
associated with the feast day of a patron saint. For
Catholics, it is a religious celebration centered around
the Holy Eucharist.
FIESTA
Photo taken from: kksinha.in

ISLAM
This religion, being roughly translated, means
“willful submission to God”. Consequently, the belief of
this particular religion is that, they have “One God” named
“Allah”. The followers of the Islamic religion are usually
called “Muslim or Moslem”. It is characteristic of the
followers of this religion to have a deep feeling of
community otherwise known as “ummah”. Muslim ISLAM
communities are also in deep ties and sodality with other Photo taken from: factretriever.com

Muslim communities in different parts of the world.

If the other two major religions were founded by Gautama Buddha and Jesus Christ
respectively, this religious belief is in turn founded by “Mohammed” whom his followers consider
as the “last and final” prophet. The sacred text used by the believers of this religion is the sacred
“Quran”.

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 Photo taken from: alamy.com

There are five pillars whom a Muslim men or woman considers as the very base and summit
of their religious life. These are derived from their teachings: These are the following:
1. Shahadah – is the very declaration of their faith which states “There is no God but the
one true God Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger,”
2. Salat – refers to the practice of praying five (5) times a day.
3. Zakat – refers to the financial aid or offering in which the poor shall benefit. From the
overall asset of a Muslim, a two point five percent (2.5%) shall be saved for distribution for
the needy.
4. Hajj – is the annual religious pilgrimage to “Mecca” (the center of Islam). A believer who
has the ability and financial capability is asked to make the pilgrimage at least once in their
life time.
5. Sawm – is done during “Ramadan”. It is the act of fasting or abstaining from eating,
beverage and even sexual action from sun up to sun down every day within the holy month
of Ramadan. Usually Ramadan falls 9 months of the Islamic Lunar Calendar.

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
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 Common Celebrations / Festivals

• Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is

one of two major holidays celebrated
by Muslims around the world. Also known as the
“Lesser Eid,” Eid al-Fitr commemorates the end of the
fasting month of Ramadan. An occasion for special
prayers, family visits, gift-giving and charity, it takes
place over one to three days, beginning on the first day
EID AL-FITR
of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar. Photo taken from: en.wikipedia.org

• Eid al-Adha, or the “Festival of Sacrifice”, is

distinguished by the performance of communal prayer
(ṣalāt) at daybreak on its first day. It begins on the 10th
of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar,
and continues for an additional three days (though the
Muslim use of a lunar calendar means that it may occur
during any season of the year). During the festival, EID AL-ADHA
Photo taken from: history.com
families that can afford to sacrifice a ritually acceptable
animal (sheep, goat, camel, or cow) do so and then divide the flesh equally among
themselves, the poor, and friends and neighbors.

JUDAISM
Among the oldest religions of the world, the “jews”
or the followers of this religion believes that since the
creation and up to present, they are the chosen people of
God. They believe that Abraham is the father of all and his
God, is the very God that has nurtured them, has liberated
them from the slavery in Egypt and He himself who has
guided them towards Canaan—the promised land (while
JUDAISM
being led by Moses and later on his brother Joshua). Photo taken from: proprofs.com

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 Until now, they still hold into the belief that a messiah or Savior shall come to liberate
them. They are considered by Christians as older brothers in faith since Jesus Christ himself was
born as a Jew. The sacred text they are using is the “Torah” or the Law.

The day to day living of the people following the Jewish faith, is done in strict adherence
with the “Torah”.

TORAH
Photo taken from: islamcity.org

Common Celebrations / Festivals

• Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is one

of Judaism’s holiest days. Meaning “head of the year” or
“first of the year,” the festival begins on the first day of
Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar,
which falls during September or October. Rosh
Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and
marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period
ROSH HASHANAH
of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Photo taken from: history.org

Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
are the two “High Holy Days” in the Jewish religion.

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• Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—is considered the
most important holiday in the Jewish faith. Falling in the
month of Tishrei (September or October in the Gregorian
calendar), it marks the culmination of the 10 Days of
Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that
follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
According to tradition, it is on Yom Kippur that God
YOM KIPPUR
decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to Photo taken from: history.org

make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is
observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service.

• Pesach, or ‘Passover’, is one of the Jewish religion’s

most sacred and widely observed holidays. In Judaism,
Passover commemorates the story of the Israelites’
departure from ancient Egypt, which appears in the
Hebrew Bible’s books of Exodus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy, among other texts. Jews observe the
weeklong festival with a number of important rituals, PESACH
Photo taken from: history.org
including a traditional Passover meal known as a seder,
the removal of leavened products from their home, the substitution of matzo for bread and the
retelling of the exodus tale.

• Shavuot falls seven weeks after Passover at the end

of the counting of the Omer (a verbal counting of each
of the 49 days between the Jewish holidays of
Passover and Shavuot). The holiday celebrates the
giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai as well as the grain
harvest for the summer. In biblical times, Shavuot was
one of three pilgrimage festivals in which all the Jewish
SHAVUOT
men would go to Jerusalem and bring their first fruits Photo taken from: toriavey.com

as offerings to God.

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• Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) is one of the three
biblically based pilgrimage holidays known as
the shalosh regalim. It is an agricultural festival that
originally was considered a thanksgiving for the fruit
harvest. Sukkot are hut-like structures that the Jews
lived in during the 40 years of travel through the
wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. As a
SUKKOT
temporary dwelling, the sukkah also represents the fact Photo taken from: learnreligions.com

that all existence is fragile, and therefore Sukkot is a time to appreciate the shelter of our
homes and our bodies.

HINDUISM

Though not entirely considered as a religion, it

comprises a wide range of beliefs and the practices of
religious groups thus no one can be pointed as the
founder. Followers of this belief system posits that there is
a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, as guided by the
principle called “Karma”. Based on this notion, a person
will be reincarnated based on how he or she has lived. It is
HINDUISM
also their belief that the soul undergoes a cycle of Photo taken from: entitymag.com

succeeding lives and one’s next life will depend on how he or she lived his or her previous life.
The sacred scriptures which the followers of Hinduism uses are the “Vedas” aside from this, the
epic entitled “Mahabharata” and “Ramayana” also forms part of their collection of sacred texts.

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 Since there is no direct or centralized authority or hierarchy that administers the many
groups and their beliefs, there are variations with the way they also practice their rituals and acts
of worship.

Common Celebrations / Festivals

• Diwali is of the major religious festivals

in Hinduism, lasting for five days from the 13th
day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina
to the second day of the light half of the lunar
month Karttika. The name is derived from the
Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of
lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the
DIWALI
victory of light over darkness. The third day of Photo taken from: dkfindout.com

Diwali is celebrated on Monday, October 24, 2022. Observances of Diwali differ

depending on region and tradition. Among Hindus the most widespread custom is the
lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon
to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

• Navratri, is a major festival held in honor of the

divine feminine. Navratri occurs over 9 days
during the month of Ashvin, or Ashvina. It often
ends with the Dussehra celebration on the 10th
day.

NAVRATRI
Photo taken from: indiatvnews.com

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 Like Christians, Hindus also sets dates in order to commemorate the manifestation of their
particular God.

Effects of Having Faith to One’s Personal Life

After discussing the world's major religions, let's now consider how practicing one's faith,
more so than belonging to a particular religion, affects one's behavior as a whole. Accordingly,
philosophers and other intellectuals have differing views on whether God exists and how to live a
life of faith in Him. But let's take the viewpoints from these individuals from illustrious disciplines
in order to be parallel with and supportive of the university's core values.

Man has a certain need to find meaning in his life

because of everything that is happening to him (good or
bad), or as Viktor Frankl, a well-known existentialist
philosopher and renowned psychologist, put it in Frando
and Isip (2019), "an inner pull" In this sense, a person finds
meaning in life, moves forward, conducts himself properly,
and even feels a certain steadiness of direction in his
VIKTOR FRANKL
journey by adhering to a particular religion or by practicing Photo taken from: ted.com

belief in a supernatural being.

Interestingly, it is common for people to struggle with

their belief in the existence of a supernatural being and how it
affects their lives. Even though they were raised in a religious
denomination, some people later on choose to become
agnostics, which is defined as neither believing in nor rejecting
the existence of a supernatural higher being or God. There are
also people who have converted to atheism, which is the denial
of the existence of a higher supernatural being or God. We
should not evaluate them. The university's philosophy places a strong emphasis on a person's

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
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freedom of religion, but it also emphasizes that person's freedom to participate in democratic
processes. Everybody can choose.

It is worth noting, however, that mathematician

Blaise Pascal proposed that either God exists or He does not
in his wager on the existence of God. His stance is not
intended to support God or persuade anyone to believe in
Him. He merely stated that, according to his theory of
decision making, believing is better than not believing. He
asserts that if a person believes in God and that God exists,
he or she will earn merit and possibly attain eternal bliss. He
forfeits his chance at experiencing eternal happiness and BLAISE PASCAL
Photo taken from: famousinventors.org
bears the consequences if God exists and he does not believe
in Him.

Like a gamble, when he bets on the choice of “having a belief in God and there is actually
a God” then he wins ultimately; but if he bets on the choice “there is no God and there actually is”
then he loses because he gains nothing. In the end, whether God exists or not, man will benefit
from believing in him. Why?

It is because, if there is a God, he has a better chance of getting to heaven if he believes

in Him, obeys His commands, and practices goodness and moral uprightness. He cannot be
regarded as a loser even if, regrettably, there is no God and he still believed in God. The reason
for this is that there is a greater chance that, at the end of his life, he will still be remembered for
the goodness and integrity he displayed while he was alive. More than that, he or she contributed
to society because through their faith, they were able to acquire and use qualities that helped
change the world and society into a better one. He or she may be remembered for their legacy of
helping others, acting morally, and even defending what is right. The very essence of acting on
one's faith to do what is good and right is this.

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
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 It is worth mentioning that Teodoro M. Kalaw of
Lipa, a renowned Batangueño historian, academician,
and statesman, has admitted that religion plays a part in
developing virtue despite being a mason. His daughter,
Senator Maria Kalaw-Katigbak, contends that he
compared women who don't practice religion to flowers
without scent and that he thinks the nation's future TEODORO M. KALAW
Photo taken from: philippinediaryproject.com
depends on the virtue of its women.

Following the war, the Philippines ,like the rest of the world, was in all-time low. There
was a scarcity of food, money, clothing, and a host of other things. Everyone still had recent
memories of the atrocities of war. Even though most people are happy that we have gained new
independence, most are still adjusting to post-war reality. Without their strong belief in the
Almighty, people would have lost their sense of reason and morale. Therefore, it should come as
no surprise that the founders would want us to share their strong religious convictions because
they needed them to survive.

The university becomes coherent with its very mission of helping students develop their
personality, eventually becoming knowledgeable and morally upright individuals—characteristics
that will eventually make them function properly as responsible persons; that will help maintain,
preserve, and uplift the Philippine society—by making "Faith in God" one of the cornerstones of
its core values.

Address: Governor Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City 4217, Batangas, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
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 Performance Task:
Matrix: Five Major Religions of the World

Directions: Complete the matrix below based on our discussion of the world's five
major religions.

BASIC TENET / NORMS AND MAJOR

RELIGION
TEACHINGS PRACTICES FESTIVALS
Buddhism
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism

REMINDERS!
ü Post your activity to our UBian LMS.
ü You will graded using a rubric.

ASSESSMENT TIME!

Prepare for a 15-item quiz that will be

posted on the Assignment Tab of your UBian
LMS.

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
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References:
A. Journals

• Jeffrey S. Kress (2013), Growing Jewish Minds, Growing Jewish Souls: 1 Promoting
Spiritual, Social, and Emotional Growth in Jewish Education. (New York: URJ Press)

• Kilp, A., (2011). 'Religion in the construction of the cultural "self" and "other"', ENDC
Proceedings, 14, 197-222, viewed 7 March 2016,
from http://www.ksk.edu.ee/toimetised

B. Internet Sources

• The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. Volume I: Called to Serve, January 1929-June 1951
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/purpose-education

• Manoj Yadav India (2017), “Educated persons, what makes them educated and what
is their role in our society” https://www.jp.onkyo.com/braille_essay/2017/as01.htm

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LESSON 2: Ethics, Religion and Culture

ABOUT THE LESSON:

Ethics, culture, and religion are frequently intertwined. However, this relationship is
complex, and such complexity is actually inherent to the human condition. A person's existence
includes his relationships with other individuals, including those with diverse morals, beliefs, and
cultural upbringing. In this lesson, the three concepts will be distinguished from one another, while
also revealing how they complement one another to make a person whole from the perspective
of his or her faith, regardless of how it is practiced.

At the end of the lesson, you can:

LO1. Define ethics, culture and cultural relativism.
LO2. Determine the relationship of ethics and religious faith;
LO3. Recognize the legacy Rev. Fr. Vicente Catapang in molding the moral and spiritual
development of the youth; and
LO4. Apply the values and spiritual character of Fr. Catapang in pursuing learners’
professionalism.

LEARNING OUTPUTS/REQUIREMENTS: Vlog; Quiz

LESSON TIME ALLOTMENT: 1 week / 3 hours

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

UNVEILING CONCEPTS

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 CONNECT THE WORDS

There are several words on the image; choose two and relate them to your
personal ethics, religion, and culture.

Ethics, Religion and Culture:

Its Role and Significance on the Holistic Development
of an Individual

Definition and Concepts of Ethics, Religion and Culture

Ethics is the said to be the science of morals or the

study of determining right from wrong, the good from the
bad. The word “ethics” is connected intrinsically with
questions of correct conduct within society.
Etymologically, “ethics” comes from the Greek “ethos”
meaning “character” which indicates a concern for
virtuous people, reliable character and proper conduct.
“Morality” is derived from “mores” or custom — the rules
of conduct of a group or society. An initial definition of
ethics, then, is the analysis, evaluation, and promotion of correct conduct and/or good character,
according to the best available standards.

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 Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and
systems that most often relate to the belief and worship of a
controlling force, such as a personal god or another supernatural
being. While this is a basic definition, there are many different
understandings of what religion is. Not all religions are centered on
a belief in a god, gods, or supernatural forces. The famed
psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud described religion as a form of wish
fulfillment. However, modern psychology recognizes that religion
Photo taken from: socialworker.com
can play an important role in an individual's life and experiences
and can even improve health and well-being. In fact, studies have shown that religion can help
people develop healthy habits, regulate their behaviors, and understand their emotions—all
factors that can affect your health.

Often, religion and ethics are treated as the same thing, with various religions making
claims about their belief systems being the best way for people to live, actively proselytizing and
trying to convert unbelievers, trying to legislate public behaviors based around isolated religious
passages, etc. Of course, not all religions are the same, some are more liberal than others and
some more conservative, but in general, all religious traditions believe that their faith represents
a path to enlightenment and salvation.

Culture, on the other hand, is a more complex matter.

Culture, from the Latin ‘cultura' stemming from ‘colere’, meaning
"to cultivate", generally refers to patterns of human activity and the
symbolic structures that give such activities significance and
importance. Cultures can be "understood as systems of symbols
and meanings that even their creators contest, that lack fixed
boundaries, that are constantly in flux, and that interact and
compete with one another." Culture can be defined as all the ways
of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that are Photo taken from: istockphoto.com

passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire

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society." As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, art. norms of
behavior, such as law and morality, and systems of belief.

The debate over how culture and religion interact

is both old and still on-going Since Aristotle labeled the
groups of people living outside of the Greek polis as
"ethnos," or "outsiders," and described them as being
"primitive," people who follow various cultures and
religions have been categorized as "outsiders, uncultured,
and irreligious." This idea from Aristotle was adopted by
Europeans during the Enlightenment period to categorize Photo taken from: istockphoto.com

all non-Europeans as "uncivilized." Nations and people were hierarchically categorized as a result
of the Enlightenment's assumption that all reality can be classified based on a person's perceived
natural mental, physical, and spiritual abilities. As a result, group identity was essentially defined
in terms of race, according to MacKay (2000:98). Being a member of a certain religion implies
being a member of that culture. This viewpoint leads to the imprecise generalization that adhering
to a particular culture automatically entails adhering to a particular religion. It is obvious that
religion and culture are inextricably linked.

Differences are viewed from a value perspective. Differences are now either viewed as
“good" or "bad". The differences in one's own identity are thought to stem from being different and
"bad." The other is increasingly being judged ethically and is seen as a growing threat,
necessitating the protection of the self, which is now polarized as being good in contrast to the
other, which is now seen as bad. This demonstrates how the other is required to preserve one's
sense of self. It is necessary to accept the other as evil in order to accept oneself as pure, good,
and right. It The absence of the other is dysfunctional.

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Significance of Moral and Spiritual Perspective of Learners

It is simple to imagine moral education as a

method of guiding students through dilemmas related to
carrying out the right deeds in the world. Teachers
working through dilemmas and case studies pertaining
to prejudice and justice-related principles were observed
conducting field research in a number of public and
private, non-sectarian, and faith-based schools. In
addition to concerns about conduct and moral behavior, Photo taken from: clipart.library.com

moral education also covers a number of other topics, such as concerns about human and civil
rights, questions about the unknown, and issues with universal existential principles and
concerns.

If we view spirituality as an expression of religious yearning and as an expression of a

person's deepest sense of self, moral education can be regarded as a spiritual process and as a
component of a student's spiritual formation. Teachers have a unique opportunity to foster a
student's spiritual development through music and writing as well as other platforms that
encourage students to reflect about their place in the world, even in public and non-sectarian
private settings where questions about religion are frequently prohibited.

Students engage in a spiritual process in school and at home as they develop the skills
they want to use to express themselves. This process may help them come to terms with the
realization that they are spiritual beings as adults at work and once more at home. Teachers are
in a position to nurture a wide range of personal expression through the arts, personal prayer,
meaningful common gathering times, and academic work that touches on soulful questions in
faith-based schools and other environments that permit a full range of spiritual expression.
Traditional religious or academic expressions are not the only ways to express one's spirituality.
Young people can test their personal limits in the arts and athletics, try on new identities, and then
accept their own physiological and psychological limitations.

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 LAWRENCE KOHLBERG JAMES FOWLER
Photo taken from: JEAN PIAGET
Photo taken from: Photo taken from:
educationaltechnology.net thefirstmorning.com britannica.com

Fowler (1992), inspired by Piaget (1973), developed studies on faith as a dimension that is
constructed chronologically with life experiences using Kohlberg's Theory on moral and religious
development. For Kohlberg (1981) and Fowler (1992), moral and religious development are
distinct, but they are linked in the search for meaning and existential values, which are built in
educational environments such as the family, the community of faith, and the school community.
In this sense, educational environments serve as a bridge between the dimensions of faith, an
aspect of existential meaning, and the educational dimensions: culture and moral values acquired
through socialization.

The Role of Education and Religion in Making One’s Dream Possible

The article written by Martin Luther King, Sr. should provide the necessary context for
discussing this lesson. King argues in the campus newspaper, the Maroon Tiger, that education
serves both utilitarian and moral purposes. Invoking the former governor of Georgia, Eugene
Talmadge, he contends that reasoning ability alone is not enough. He insists that character and
moral development are necessary to give humane purposes to the critical intellect. Later, King,
Sr. recalled his son telling him, "Talmadge has a Phi Beta Kappa key, can you believe that? What
did he do with all that precious knowledge? "To accomplish what?"

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The Purpose of Education

As I engage in the so-called "bull sessions" around

and about the sch ool, I too often find that most college
men have a misconception of the purpose of education.
Most of the "brethren" think that education should equip
them with the proper instruments of exploitation so that
they can forever trample over the masses. Still others think
that education should furnish them with noble ends rather
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
than a means to an end. It seems to me that education has Photo taken from: britannica.com

a two-fold function to perform in the life of man and in society: one is utility and the other is culture.
Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the
legitimate goals of his life.

Education must also train one for quick, resolute, and effective thinking. To think incisively
and to think for oneself is very difficult. We are prone to letting our mental lives become invaded
by legions of half-truths, prejudices, and propaganda. At this point, I often wonder whether or not
education is fulfilling its purpose. A great majority of so-called educated people do not think
logically and scientifically. Even the press, the classroom, the platform, and the pulpit, in many
instances, do not give us objective and unbiased truths. In my opinion, saving man from the
morass of propaganda is one of the chief aims of education. Education must enable one to sift
and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from
fiction. The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and critically. But
education, which stops with efficiency, may prove the greatest menace to society. The most
dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason but with no morals.

The late Eugene Talmadge, in my opinion, possessed one of the best minds in Georgia,
or even America. Moreover, he wore the Phi Beta Kappa key. By all measures, Mr. Talmadge
could think critically and intensively; yet he contends that I am an inferior being. Are these the
types of men we call educated?

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 We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the
goal of true education. A comprehensive education provides not only the ability to concentrate
but also worthwhile goals to focus on. A broad education will, therefore, transmit to one not only
the accumulated knowledge of the race but also the accumulated experience of social living.

If we are not careful, our colleges will produce a group of close-minded, unscientific,
illogical propagandists, consumed with immoral acts. Be careful, "brethren!" Be careful, teachers!

The Life and Values As Shown by Rev. Fr. Vicente R. Catapang

The ravages of Second World War in the province of Batangas have created a dire
situation for everyone. Lives and properties were lost, and development opportunities were thin
on the ground. Six brave souls, however, paved the way for the establishment of a school that
would fulfill the people's need for education. One of them was Rev. Fr. Vicente R. Catapang.

Fr. Catapang was born during the country's final stages of

Spanish occupation and witnessed the people's struggle not only for
freedom and independence, but also for self-determination. Fr.
Catapang, a clergyman by profession and an educator by passion,
was instrumental in ensuring that Western Philippine Colleges (WPC)
provide quality education to Batangueños. More importantly, he
ensured that WPC graduates are not only excellent professionals, but
also great human beings.

Mamay Pari, as he was fondly called by his relatives, owned an owner-type jeep and drove
young students from Taal to WPC every day for three years, until he decided to leave the school.
He did this to instill the value of education in the young people. For the clergyman, it was vital that
young people not only prepare for the future by securing a good-paying job, but also understand
the value of a good education.

Address: Governor Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City 4217, Batangas, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
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 Fr. Catapang's life was dedicated to moral development through education. To be
considered educated, a person must also have good morals that are consistent with his own
sense of right and wrong, religious dogma, and societal expectations as defined by his culture.

From his works, Fr. Catapang believes that a responsible educated person owes a duty
to society at large as the society invests in his education by providing necessary facilities and
infrastructure. In relation to this belief, Manoj Yadav India outlined the following specific roles and
responsibilities of educated people:

i. An educated person owes a responsibility of creating a good and peaceful family

or home. Aristotle maintained that family is the smallest unit and the first school of
anyone’s life. Only educated persons can educate and inculcate morals, built
character in his children. Similarly, an educated person can play an important role
in promoting women’s education by treating both boys and girls in his family
equally and offered them equal opportunity for education.
ii. An educated person can use his knowledge to educate and awaken the people at
large about their rights and duties. They can also make other realized that in a
democratic set up, while we have certain rights, there are certain duties also on
our part which co-exists.
iii. An educated person can create love for our country by sharing and spreading our
rich culture. Simultaneously, they can also encourage our younger generations to
prepare themselves for discharging their responsibilities to build a national
character by sharing our legacy which we inherited as a result of huge sacrifices
made by our ancestors.
iv. An educated person can also play an important role in creating social, cultural and
religious harmony so that love, trust and peace is ensured in community life. This
would also ensure national unity and protect our national integrity and development
v. He can also play an important role in educating people about the need and value
of our natural resources such as rivers, air etc. In view of increased climate

Address: Governor Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City 4217, Batangas, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 changes due to massive exploitation of natural resources, we are facing a severe
threat to our earth. Therefore, this is a very important area where they should and
must play a more proactive role.
vi. They can also take upon themselves the responsibility of fighting against social
evils. This can be done by them by challenging different wrong customs such as
child marriage, dowry system, untouchability, child labor etc.

Similar to the need for a good stone in the

construction of a good building, a civilized and cultured
society needs a strong foundation in education. Ironically,
today's educated youth are misguided. This has led to an
increase in violence, extortion, and other crimes against
women. Because of the pervasive environment of
exploitation, fear, and insecurity, a responsible, educated Photo taken from: glocalkhabar.com

population will need to take the initiative to stop the deterioration of social values. They must take
an active role in building a society that is free from fear and insecurity on a global scale.

Performance Task:
1…2…3… ACTION!

Directions: Through a vlog, demonstrate the integration of

Fr. Catapang's values and spiritual character in pursuit of learner
professionalism.

REMINDERS!

ü Upload your performance task to our UBian LMS.

ü You will graded using a rubric.

Address: Governor Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City 4217, Batangas, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 ASSESSMENT TIME!

UBian LMS Discussion:

Based on what you've learned in this lesson,
how would you define a truly educated
person?

References:
A. Journals

• Jeffrey S. Kress (2013), Growing Jewish Minds, Growing Jewish Souls: 1 Promoting
Spiritual, Social, and Emotional Growth in Jewish Education. (New York: URJ Press)

• Kilp, A., (2011). 'Religion in the construction of the cultural "self" and "other"', ENDC
Proceedings, 14, 197-222, viewed 7 March 2016,
from http://www.ksk.edu.ee/toimetised

B. Internet Sources

• The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. Volume I: Called to Serve, January 1929-June 1951
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/purpose-education

• Manoj Yadav India (2017), “Educated persons, what makes them educated and what
is their role in our society” https://www.jp.onkyo.com/braille_essay/2017/as01.htm

Address: Governor Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City 4217, Batangas, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
Website: www.ub.edu.ph