LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET WEEK 2

Prepared by: Mr. Markdel John P. Espino

Subject: Introduction to World Religion and Belief System Grade 12- Magnolia (HUMMS)

LEARNING CONTENT: How World’s Great Religions Began

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
1.1. Cite regions or places where specific religions evolved;
1.2. Analyze the culture of the region that gave rise to specific religions; 1.3. Explain how
geography influences religion and how religion affects culture.

LEARNING CONCEPT I. Basic Concepts on the Origin of Religion

1. Animism

 Anthropologist Edward Taylor argued that Religion had its origin in the belief in immaterial souls
that might inhabit objects like stones, trees, animals, or human bodies, but which also could exist
independently from them.
 Edward Taylor coined the term animism from the Greek word anima which means soul.
 Historical evidence show that ancient Filipinos believe in anitos- spirits that dwell in natural objects,
including human bodies, that need to be pleased in order to live in harmony with them and in the
environment.
2. Respect given to the ancestors

• Associated with this theory is the fear of mighty things or forces of nature that some people equate to be
acts of supernatural beings.
• Acknowledgement of the existence of spirits and supernatural beings support the formation of certain
belief systems and religion.
• It can be deducted that the origin of the religion came through the acknowledgement of the presence of
the spirits and supernatural beings, and the respect for ancestors that evolved into a certain form of
worship.

3. Revelation

 This means that religion is conceived from an assumption that in the beginning, there is a God who
revealed His being to man in different manners the essential truths of religion, such as the existence of God,
the obligation to obey Him, and the hope of immortality.
II. Origin of Major Religions

 The table below shows the approximate date when each of the nine major world religions began, along
with the traditional dates for the birth and date of each founder.
Date Near East India East Asia
1000+ B.C.E Judaism Hinduism
Moises: 1500-1350 2, 000 B.C.E
B.C.E
600 B.C.E Buddhism Taoism
Buddha: 563-483 Lao Tzu: 500-380
B.C.E B.C.E

Confucianism
Confucius: 551-479
 B.C.E
100 C.E Christianity Jesus Shinto 100
1-33 C.E C.E
600 C.E Islam
Muhammad: 570632
C.E
The Near East

• The ancient Near East is considered one of the cradles of civilization. It was here that intensive year-
round agriculture was first practiced leading to the rise of first urban settlements and the development of
many familiar institutions of civilization; such as social stratification, centralized government and
empires, organized religion and organized welfare.
• Significantly, most of these lands comprising the Ancient Near East were among the so-called Bible
Lands of the Old Testament.

East Asia

• Major religions include Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and some of the indigenous populations
embrace Shamanism.
• The culture of East Asia has been influenced by the civilization of China.
• East Asia shared a Confucian ethical philosophy, Buddhism, political and legal structures, and
historically, a common writing system.

India

• Five thousand years of history have nourished the growth of a great civilization. It has been vitalized
through cross-cultural contact and characterized by unity in diversity of culture, race, caste, religion and
language.
• The great Indian tradition unites the diverse cultural regions, but, equally condones the existence of
different sects and local traditions,

III. How Does Geography Influence Religion

Civilization typically develop in and around river systems where easy access to water and irrigation
system become possible, which allows them to grow crops and move from the hunter gatherer lifestyle to
farmers.

 As a result, the famous River Ganges, Indus Valley, the Nile and Amazon Rivers became places
where different types of people have developed over time.
 Mountains symbolize the way people in those days perceived reality.
 The physical geography of the land determine how and when people would live in certain places due
to accessibility, resources, and climate, it would seem reasonable to conclude that these people
would regard these aspects of nature as having God-like immortality.
IV. Relationship between Religion and Culture

• Some cultures identified themselves by their religion.

• All common events in cultures like home, farming, relationships, marriage, birth and death are
influenced by their religious beliefs.
• Central to the very purpose of religion is the attainment of goal in life.
• Religion often gives codes of behavior for society and culture, such as the Ten Commandments.
• All religions have values. Values are guides to behavior such as do good; avoid wrong doings.
• All religions have the Five Basic Human Values such as: truth, right, love, peace and non-violence.
ESSAY
Write an essay (minimum of 10 sentences) on the topic “Religion: What Does It Mean to Me?” guided by
the following questions:

1. What different values have your religion instilled in you?

2. What various guiding principles which may have been influenced by your religion do you adhere to
in your life?
RUBRIC FOR ESSAY

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS POINTS

OBTAINED
Content The content was well thought of; 7
guide questions were thoroughly
answered
Organization The paper was well written with 7
ideas easily conveyed to readers
Development Points are thoroughly developed 6

Total: 20

Activity 2
REFLECTION:
1. Do you agree that the universe is designed and created by a single divine being or God? Explain
your answer.
2. How can you lead a spiritual life? Cite at least 3 examples.
 ANSWER SHEET
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Activity 1

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Activity 2

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