INTRODUCTIO

N TO WORLD
RELIGIONS
AND BELIEF
SYSTEM
 UNDERSTANDING OF BELIEF
SYSTEMS OR WORLD-VIEW,
RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY,
PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION, AND
THEOLOGY
 Why are we here?
Do we have a creator?
What happens when we die?
What's the meaning of life?
 A belief system's definition is
something that can vary depending on
the field of research in which it is being
discussed.
 In general, however, belief system is a set of
values, tenets, thoughts, ideas, etc., that a
person or a group of people believe. Belief
systems are not solely tied to religion, as
there are other types such as political beliefs
and personal beliefs.
HISTORY OF
BELIEF
SYSTEMS
The creation of belief systems probably
begins with humanity itself. Thousands
of years ago, primates evolved into
consciously thinking human beings in
what we call a cognitive revolution.
The earliest systems of belief imagined a spirit
world, often invisible, that existed alongside the
physical world of human communities. For
example, some foraging communities may have
created ritual songs or dances or staged mock
hunts to please the spirits in the natural world .
 ORGANIZED
SYSTEMS OF
BELIEF IN EARLY
SOCIETIES
 As communities became larger and more
structured, some belief systems changed. This
probably had a lot to do with the development
of hierarchies brought on by early farming
societies.
The increased organization of religion
gave rulers more control over their
subjects, especially when the ruler
claimed to be a priest-king or divine
(god-like).
TWO TYPES
OF BELIEF
SYSTEMS
 RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEMS
A religious belief system is usually structured
around a moral code, the belief of one or more
deities, and the ability for supernatural
occurrences to affect us and the universe that we
exist in. A spiritual belief system is closely related
to this, but it is not as structured.
 PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEF SYSTEMS
Philosophical belief systems discuss the human
experience, such as the nature of knowledge
and thought, what it means to exist, and the
definition of reality. Religious texts serve to
outline and define religious belief systems. .
Belief in god or gods is found in almost all religions. There is
a good reason to presuppose that religion had existed during
prehistoric times and this has continued to the modern day.
Human life may have produced hundreds of religions and
belief systems. There could be more unknown than known
religions in the world since recorded history covers only
several thousand years of human existence.
 KINDS
OF BELIEF
SYSTEMS
 -MONISM
There is no real distinction between God
and the Universe
 -POLYTHEISM
The belief and worship of many Gods
 -MONOTHEISM
The doctrine or belief in one supreme
God
 -ATHEISM
Disbelief in or denial of the existence of a
personal God
 -ATHEISM
Disbelief in or denial of the existence of a
personal God
DEFINITION AND
NATURE OF
RELIGION
 Religion may be defined as "an organized system of
beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or
a group of gods" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2014).
The Latin word religio refers to "something done with
over-anxious or scrupulous attention to detail"
(Bowker 1997). This tern may have probably been
derived from the Latin verb religare which means "to
tie together, to bind fast."
In its original sense, the word refers to expression of proper
piety, that is, binding to god (Grassie 2010). Quite later,
religion was used to designate formal belief systems and
tenets. The term was eventually applied to what we now
call as religion because of the manner in which people
performed rituals during those days. While religion may be
universal in all stages of human history. it does not follow
that all individuals are religious or even religious to some
degree (Parrinder 1971).
 Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief
systems, and world-views that relate humanity to
spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many
religions have narratives, symbols, traditions, and
sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to
life or to explain the origin of life or the universe.
ORIGINS OF
RELIGION
 Since the nineteenth century, people began to show
great interest in
explaining the origins of religion. In fact, numerous
theories have been
postulated to explain the origin of religion while
looking at primitive societies for ideas concerning the
development of belief systems (Hendry1999).
 Various explanations have surfaced that
somehow tend to simplify or even denigrate
primitive religions. Others maintain that since
early humans are weak and ignorant of the
different forces of nature, they had to invent
religion to explain the seemingly unexplainable
mystery and fury of nature.
 The nineteenth century witnessed the
development of the fields of the social sciences
that enabled scholars to apply a more scientific
way of explaining phenomena rather than
speculate on matters concerning the origin of
religion.
 KEY
COMPONENTS OF
BELIEF SYSTEMS
 Core beliefs:
Fundamental principles or truths that form
the foundation of the belief system. These are
often deeply ingrained and shape one's
worldview.
 .
Values:
The principles or standards that a person or
group considers important in life. Values
guide ethical judgements and behaviour.
 Norms:
Societal or cultural expectations that dictate
acceptable behaviour. Norms within a belief
system help define what is considered
appropriate or taboo.
 .

Symbols and rituals:

Objects, actions, or ceremonies that hold
symbolic meaning within a belief system.
Symbols and rituals often serve to reinforce
and express beliefs, fostering a sense of
community.
 World-view:
The overall perspective through which an
individual or group interprets the world. This
includes views on existence, the nature of
reality, and the purpose of life.
 Identity:
Belief systems contribute to the formation of
individual and group identities. They shape
how people define themselves and their place
in the world.
 Social cohesion:
Belief systems often play a role in creating
and maintaining social cohesion by providing
a shared set of values and norms within a
community.