Introduction to World Religions &

Belief Systems
~ Worldviews, Belief Systems & Religion ~

GENEROSO C. ZARADOLLA
Teacher III
You will differentiate the concept, elements and
characteristics of belief system and world view religion.
Specifically, this module will help you to:

• understand the dynamics of the different elements and characteristics

of the belief system, world view and religion.

• appreciate the importance of one’s own beliefs and views as a believer

of God and;

• apply these beliefs in your interaction with your fellowmen, the world,
nature and God.
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of paper.

_____1.A worldview is similar to_____________________________.

A. understanding about life B. belief system C. opinion D. both a & b

____ 2. Which statement is not a belief system?

A. I believe I can fly.

B. “An unexamined life is not worth living for.” (Socrates)
C. “Si Malakas at si Maganda” the Filipino version of Creation story.
D. The West Philippine sea belongs to Filipinos as affirmed by an as arbitrary
tribunal in Hague, Netherland.
3. Identify the statement that does NOT describe a spiritual person.
A. A person who sees God always in all things.
B. A person who always goes to church on Sundays.
C. A person who experiences “Bodhi ” or “Enlightenment.”
D. A person who feels the force of nature and become one with it.
4. Since time immemorial, belief to a divine being is practiced by people in different cultural
milieu and traditions. There are even those who worship animals like the golden calf in in the
Old Testament as their God. Other culture even consider millions of small gods like the
Hindus. How do you call the people who believe in one God?

A. Polytheists B. Monotheists C. Pantheists D. Atheists

5. As individuals we use different lenses in seeing things and realities around us. Conflicts
sometimes arise in defense of their point of view. Our pluralistic society has also varied belief
systems. What statement best described what a belief system is?

A. A particular way of ordering the realities of the world.

B. The religious preferences of a person or group
C. Anything that we do and think about all the time.
D. A speculative thinking and ritualistic habit of different people.
The lesson will guide you in understanding the relationship of the following concepts namely;
Worldview, Belief Systems and Religion.
 Worldview, Belief Systems and Religion

Carol Hill describes worldview, as

“By worldview (or belief system) I mean 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. It is more than culture, even though the distinction
between the two can sometimes be subtle. It extends to perceptions of time and
space, of happiness and well-being. The beliefs, values, and behaviors of
culture stem directly from its worldview.” (Hill, 2007)
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. You stop at a red light and go at a green. ( Cornejo, et al, 2019).

Google has a simple definition, it says, ”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.
Worldviews about man’s perspective of God. (Serapio,2016).
The elements of religions written by Maria Perpetua Arcilla-Serapio lay-down these basic
characteristics at least for the major religions. They are;

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.
4. Sinful acts : usually a violation of the laws established by God which each members has to
follow. For example the Ten Commandments for Judaism and Christians and the Five Pillars of
Islam which when violated the believer commits 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 go straight to
heaven.

6. Mode of worship: each religions 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.
Activity 1.
Song Analysis

Objective: Analyze the nature of God presented in the Song.

Directions:
1. Listen or read the song “Who Am I.”
2. Prepare a separate paper for your answer.
3. Answer the questions below?
Critical Thinking Questions:

1. What does the song “Who am I?” say about who we are as a person?

2. What kind of God is presented in the song? Why?

3. How does faith in God provide answers to life’s questions? Give example
from your concrete experiences.
• Worldview – worldview is a set of beliefs used to understand the world. 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.

• Belief system - are the stories we tell ourselves to define our personal sense of
‘reality’ (the way things actually exist

• Religion- Etymologically, the word came from ‘Religare’ - a Latin word which
means to bind fast or hold together, to secure, to bind, to fasten together, to create
a system of attitudes and beliefs.
• Naturalism- denies the existence of God. All that exist is the material universe.

• Deism- believes that God or gods created the universe, but God or gods no longer
actively involved in the continuous process of creation.
• Theism- It means that God or gods created the Universe and continued to actively
participate of the world’s activities and in human history.

• Panentheism- means that God or gods are the inner spiritual essence of
everything in the Universe

• Monotheism- a belief in one God.

• Polytheism - a belief in many gods

• Sacred – something that possesses holiness

• Religious Rituals – religious rites," which are the sacred, customary ways of
celebrating a religion or culture
 Directions: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a
separate sheet of paper.

____1. A worldview is similar to_____________________________.

A. understanding about life B. opinion C. belief system D. A & B

____ 2. Which statement is not a belief system?

A. I believe I can fly.

B. “An unexamined life is not worth living for.” (Socrates)
C. “Si Malakas at si Maganda” the Filipino version of Creation story.
D. The West Philippine sea belongs to Filipinos as affirmed by an as arbitrary
tribunal in Hague, Netherland
_____3. Identify the statement that does NOT describe a spiritual person.
A. A person who sees God always in all things.
B. A person who always goes to church on Sundays.
C. A person who experiences “Bodhi ” or “Enlightenment.”
D. A person who feels the force of nature and become one with it.

_____4. Since time immemorial, belief to a divine being is practiced by people in

different cultural milieu and tradition. There are even those who worship animals
like the golden calf in in the Old Testament as their God. Other culture even
considers millions of small gods like the Hindus. How do you call the people who
believe in one God?

A. Polytheists B. Monotheists C. Pantheists D. Atheists

_____5. As individuals we use different lenses in seeing things and realities around
us. Conflicts sometimes arise in defense of their point of view. Our pluralistic society
has also varied belief systems. What statement best describes what a belief system is?
A. A particular way of ordering the realities of the world.
B. The religious preferences of a person or group
C. Anything that we do and think about all the time.
D. A speculative thinking and ritualistic habit of different people.

_____6. Etymologically it comes from a Latin word, “Religare” which means “ to bind
or to tie.”
A. Spirituality B. Religion C. Culture D. Theology
_____7. According to Deepak Chopra, “Religion is a belief to someone else’s experience.
Spirituality is having your own experience.” It means?
A. Spirituality answers the question, “Where do I find meaning?” while for
religion the question is “Where do I belong?’
B. Spirituality focus is what is right or wrong, while religion talks about
sacraments and rituals.
C. Spirituality it is about the question of true or false while religion is about
obedience to the laws.
D. Spirituality asks what rites, sacraments, or rituals should we follow while
Religion ask what are our values?

_____8. From the given statements below, consider the most appropriate behavior or
attitude if one is a member of a religious group?
A. Argue that his/her God is the real one.
B. Criticize other Religious beliefs.
C. Respect the freedom of Religion.
D. Proselytize and convert other people to join your religion
_____9. identify 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.

_____10. It is defined as broader than religion. It goes beyond religious affiliation that
strives for inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose even to those who do
not believe in God.

A. Animism B. Theology C. Spirituality D. Philosophy