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SH1661 - Understanding Culture, Society and Politics 09

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Understanding Culture, Society and Politics (STI West Negros University)

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SH1661

Religion and Belief Systems

Christianity

It is the world's biggest religion with about 2.2 billion followers. It is based on the teachings of Jesus
Christ who lived in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago. Through its missionary activity, Christianity has
spread to most parts of the globe. Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his
disciples (followers) to show everyone that there is another life with one (1), eternal, loving God.

Islam

It is the second most popular religion in the world with over a thousand million followers. It is more
often thought of as a complete way of life rather than a religion. It began in Arabia and was revealed
to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Those who follow Islam are called
Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one (1) God, called Allah. It is mainly followed in the
Middle East, Asia, and the North of Africa.

Hinduism

Hinduism is often referred to as Sanātana Dharma, a Sanskrit phrase meaning "the eternal law." It is
the world's third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. The religion of Hinduis m
originated in Northern India, near the river Indus, about 4000 years ago and is the world's oldest
existing religion, dating to prehistoric times. It is practiced by more than 80% of India's population. It
has no founder, but is developed out of Brahmanism.

For many Hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. It's more about what you do,
than what you believe. Hindus believe in a universal soul or God called Brahman. Hindus believe that
there is a part of Brahman in everyone called the Atman. They also believe in reincarnation - a belief
that the soul is eternal and lives many lifetimes, in one body after another. The soul is sometimes born
in a human body, sometimes in an animal body, and sometimes in a plant body.

Hindus believe that all forms of life contain a soul, and all souls have the chance to experience life in
different forms. Samsara means going through the cycle of repeated births and deaths (reincarnatio n).
Hindus believe that existence of this cycle is governed by Karma.

Buddhism

It began in northeastern India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. The religion is
2,500 years old and is followed by 350 million Buddhists worldwide. It is the main religion in many
Asian countries. It is a religion about suffering and the need to get rid of it. A key concept of Buddhis m
is Nirvana, the most enlightened, and blissful state one can achieve. A state without suffer ing.
Buddhists believe that the Buddha saw the truth about what the world is like. They believe that nothing
in the world is perfect, and that the Buddha found the answer to why it is like this. They do not believe
that the Buddha was a god. He was a human being just like them. They believe that he was important
because he reached Enlightenment, and he chose to teach other people how to reach it too.

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SH1661

Institutionalized Religion

It is formed by a sect, meaning it is not limitless and it is closed. It is also known as “organized
religion,” which belief systems and rituals are systematically arranged and formally established. It is
typically characterized by an official doctrine (or dogma), a hierarchical or bureaucratic leadership
structure and a codification of rules and practices. It also refers to the world's largest religious groups,
especially those known by name internationally, and to organizations with which one can legally or
officially affiliate oneself or not.

Separation of Church & State in the Philippines

This can be traced from the 1987 Constitution.

Art II. Sec. 6 – The separation of church and state shall be inviolable.

Art. III. Sec. 5 – No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the
exercise of political rights.

Art. VI. Sec. 5 (2) – One half (½) of the seats allocated to the party-list representatives shall be filled,
as provided by law, by selection or election from labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultura l
communities, women, youth, and such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religio us
sector.

Art. IX (C) Sec. 2 (5) – Religious denominations and sects shall not be registered as a political party,
organization, or coalition by the COMELEC.

References:
Bagares, Romel R. (n.d.). Re-configuring our social imaginary: a rightful place for “god-talk” in the
Filipino public sphere. Retrieved from http://pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/Bagares_Church-
State_separation.pdf
Barrow, Mandy. (2013). World religions. Woodlands Junior School, Kent. Retrieved from
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/
Institutionalized religion. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_does_institutionalized_religion_mean

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