LECTURE ONE
The place of Region in Biblical Thought and its Life Application
By the end of this lecture one will be able to Know:
i. The meaning of religion
ii. The Characteristic of religion
iii. Major World Religions and their geographical locations
iv. The purpose of religion
v. Religion and Mental Health
vi. Religious attitude to Life
vii. Religion as agent of Peace
1.1. What is religion?
The English word "religion" is derived from the Middle English "religioun" which came from
the Old French "religion." It may have been originally derived from the Latin word "religo"
which means "good faith," "ritual," and other similar meanings. Or it may have come from the
Latin "religâre" which means "to tie fast," or "bind together." ‘Religion’ has certainly a strong
emphasis on community aspect. It is something that binds fast the members of it together. What
we call religion is very complex and inclusive. It includes manifold elements and aspects of life
like beliefs, feelings, experiences, values, symbols, worship, rituals, festivals, cult and cultures,
myth and mythology.
Below are more of the definitions of religions
a) A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of
persons or sects:
b) The body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices:
c) Something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or
conscience:
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d) Belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be
divine or to have control of human destiny
1.1. Characteristic of Religions
Beliefs and teachings.
Rituals, practices, events and celebrations.
Leadership and rules.
Customs and traditions.
Sacred places.
Signs and symbols.
The rules that people follow because of their beliefs about God.
Brings people together in communities.
Sacred Texts and Writings.
Contain key doctrines ...
Belief in Supernatural Beings. ...
Sacred Places
Moral Code With Supernatural Origins. ... ...
Prayer and Other Forms of Communication. ...
1.2. Major World Religions
a) A Judaism: started 2000BC, founder, Moses, Deity, Jehovah, location, west Asia, Holy
book, Old Testament, population, 12 million.
b) Hinduism: started 1500 BC, deity, Brahma, Holy book, Vendas, location, south Asia
(India) population, 322 million
c) Zoroastrianism: 1000 BC, deity Ahura Mazda, Holy book, Avesta, population 0.14
million, location, West Asia, Persia.
d) Shinto: 660 BC, deity, Nature god/ idol, holy book, Koji-ki Nihongi, population, 79
million, location, East Asia Japan.
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e) Taoism: 604 BC, deity TAO, holy book Tao-the-king, founder Lao – Tze, population 50
million, location East Asia.
f) Jainism: 599 BC, holy book, Angas, founder vardaman/ maharia, population 1.6 million,
location, south Asia/India.
g) Buddhism : 560 BC,deity Gautama Duddah, holy book Tripitaka, population 150
million, location,South Asia China/ Japan
h) Confucianism: 551 BC, deity Heaven, holy book, Classic, founder, Confucius,
population 300 million, location east Asia China.
i) Christianity : 4 BC, founder, Jesus Christ, holy book Bible, deity, father God, population
1 billion, location, west Asia / Palestine.
j) Islam: 570 AD, deity Allah, holy book Koran, founder Muhammed, population 500
million, location west Asia Arabia.
k) Sikhism: 1469 AD, deity, true name, founder. Nanar, population 6.2 million, location
East Asia
Geographical Locations of Major Religion
Religions of India
a) Hinduism
b) Jainism
c) Buddhism
d) Sikhism
The basic beliefs of these Indian religion is that there are many gods except in Sikhism
Religions of the M,idle East
a. Zoroastrianism
b. Judaism
c. Christianity
d. Islam
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e. Bahai
They all believe in one supreme creator God, in contrast of Indian religion, they believe each
person lives one on earthly life.
Religion Originating in China and Japan
a. Taoism
b. Confucianism
c. Shintoism
They worship in many gods, they belief in worship of nature , worship of veneration of
ancestors and in the case of Shintoism reverence of the nation itself, they have no problems
of adherents accepting the religion of others .
1.3. The Purpose of Religion
Religion can serve a wide range of purposes.
i. Religion can be a source of comfort and guidance. It can provide a basis for moral beliefs
and behaviors.
ii. It can also provide a sense of community and connection to tradition. Some research even
suggests that it may affect health.:
iii. People who attend religious services may simply be healthier than those who cannot
attend.
iv. Certain religions may encourage healthy behaviors.
v. Giving meaning and purpose to life
vi. Reinforcing social unity and stability
vii. Serving as an agent of social control of behavior,
viii. Promoting physical and psychological well-being, and (e) motivating people to work for
positive social change
ix. Social – providing service and support to people in society
x. Political – promoting certain beliefs and values within society
xi. Cultural – enriching society through art, architecture, music, literature, drama and dress,
etc.
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1.4. Religion and Mental Health
Religion can also influence mental health in both positive and negative ways. Religion can serve
as a source of comfort and strength when people are under stress. At other times, this connection
may be less helpful—or even harmful—if it creates stress or acts as a barrier to treatment.
Studies suggest that religion has both the potential to help and harm mental health and well-
being.7 On the positive side, religion and spirituality can help promote positive beliefs, foster
community support, and provide positive coping skills. On the other hand, negative religious
coping, miscommunication, and harmful negative beliefs that actually be detrimental to mental
health.
Some mental health benefits of religion include:
Giving people structure
Building a community with a group
Creating a sense of belonging
Helping people cope with stressful events
Can encourage forgiveness, compassion, and gratitude
Religion can also play a role in helping people cope with mental health conditions. People often
turn to their religious beliefs in order to cope with symptoms of mental illness and to help
manage stress.
Research has also shown that religious people often first turn to religious clergy when they need
treatment for mental health conditions.8 Religious and pastoral counseling can be an important
resource for people of faith who want to incorporate their religious and spiritual beliefs into their
.
1.5. Religious Attitudes To Life
a. Most worship God as transcendent meaning that he is independent of the world,
he is beyond or above normal human beings experience , exceeding usual limits
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and because of this, he deserve to be worshipped . people see the signs of his
prescence in extra ordinary things, powers, miracles
b. People feel dependent upon God as he controls the world, they seek his help and
protection and fear his wrath
c. People feels that they owe a duty to God.: Religious people feels that they have a
duty to worship God, glorify him , praise him and even give gift to religious
ceremonies . They connect major activities in life with God eg, birth, death,
marriages, planting and reaping of crops. When they feel that they have angered
God , they use various means especially sacrifices in order to restore good
relationship
d. People pray with confidence, prayers are often accompanied with sacrifices. By
Praying, people express their dependent on God and make their need known to
him.
e. People see the Universe as a whole and as related to the will of God
f. People believe that God is the one who act first in his relationship with them
NB: Other religions are looking for God to help them but the God of Christians comes down to
redeem his people.
1.6. Religion as an Agent of Peace
Dialogue is a process of communication between two or more people in which they openly
examine matters they hold in common. Religion acts as an agent of peace through dialogue. The
term dialogue is derived from Greek word ’dia” meaning through and “logo” which means
word. This translates to making meaning through spoken or written word.
Meaning co-operates positive interaction between different faith or culture.
Can take place between individuals or communities in many levels.
It can take place in both formal and informal settings.
Religions as Agents of Contemporary Dialogue in Kenya
Living in a religious pluralistic society requires one to live in peace without conflict, observing
the golden rule of loving one another. Different religions and denominations form alliances to
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work as agents of peace: Some denominations like Roman Catholic has a committee that meets
on monthly bases to evaluate political situation in Kenya. Below are varieties of religious
committees that work for a common peace:
i. Interreligious Council of Kenya (IRCK), it is a multi-religious partnership for all the
major faith communities.
ii. Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishop (KCCB) .
iii. National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK).
iv. Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK).
v. Seventh day Adventist Church (SDA).
vi. Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) .
vii. National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLET).
viii. Hindu Council of Kenya (HCK).
ix. Coast interfaith council of cleric (CICC).
x. Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC).
War and hatred cannot bring peace, but dialogue can .
All world religions are rooted in active non-violence.
- Islam means peace
- Judaism uphold shalom
- Buddhism calls for compassion towards all living things
- Hindu and Christians calls for the love of neighbor.
