GEE5-RRES

MODULE 1

Religion can be defined as a system of beliefs, practices, and rituals centered around the worship
of a deity or deities, and often involving a moral code and a sense of community. (Smith, 2009)

Religion is the human response to being alive and having to die.

- F. Forrester Church

1. Christianity
• Followers of Jesus Christ, believing in the teachings of the Bible. Different denominations include
Catholicism, Protestantism, Iglesia Ni Cristo and etc.

Beliefs
One God
• Christians believe in one God who created everything.
Jesus
• They believe Jesus is God's Son who came to Earth to save people.
The Bible
• Christians think the Bible is God's important book.

Practices
1.Church - Christians go to church to pray and learn about God.
2.Baptism - Some Christians get baptized to show they follow Jesus.
3.Communion - They sometimes eat bread and drink wine to remember Jesus.
4.Prayer - Christians talk to God through prayer. 5.Helping Others They try to be kind and help people who need it.

2. Islam
• Followers of the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, as revealed in the Quran. Major branches include Sunni and
Shia.
1.One God. Muslims believe in one God, called Allah.
2.Prophet Muhammad. They believe Muhammad is Allah's final prophet.
3.The Quran. Muslims believe the Quran is Allah's word, revealed to Muhammad.
4.Five Pillars. These are the basic acts of worship for Muslims

1. Shahada Declaration of faith.

2. Salah Praying five times a day.
3. Zakat Giving to charity.
4. Sawm Fasting during Ramadan.
5. Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca (if able).

Practices
1. Prayer -Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca.
2.Fasting -During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
3.Charity -Muslims give a portion of their wealth to help those in need.
4.Pilgrimage- If able, Muslims perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca once their
lifetime.
5.Mosque- Muslims gather for communal prayer and community activities at mosques.
 3. Buddhism
• Followers of the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), emphasizing spiritual development
and the path to enlightenment.

Beliefs
1. Four Noble Truths
- Life is suffering.
- Suffering comes from craving.
- To end suffering, end craving.
- Follow the Eightfold Path.
2. Reincarnation Buddhists believe in rebirth or reincarnation based on karma.
3.Enlightenment The goal is to reach enlightenment, called Nirvana, by understanding the nature of reality.

Practices
1.Meditation- Buddhists meditate to calm the mind and develop insight.
2.Mindfulness They practice being present and aware in every moment.
3.Ethical Conduct Follow the Five Precepts:
1. Don't harm living beings.
2. Don't take what isn't given.
3. Don't engage in sexual misconduct.
4. Don't lie.
5. Don't use drugs or alcohol.
4.Offerings and Rituals: Buddhists make offerings and perform rituals to honor Buddha and seek
blessings.

4. Hinduism
One of the oldest religions, Hinduism is practiced primarily in India and Nepal. It is often said that there is a trinity of
Hindu gods: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer.

Beliefs
1.Dharma: Dharma is the principle of righteousness, duty, and moral order that governs individual conduct and
societal harmony. It encompasses ethical and moral responsibilities in various aspects of life.
2.Karma: Karma is the law of cause and effect, which asserts that every action has consequences. Hindus believe
that one's actions in this life, both good and bad, determine their future experiences and circumstances, including
future births (reincarnation).

Beliefs
3. Samsara: Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (reincarnation). Hindus believe that the soul (atman)
is eternal and undergoes multiple cycles of rebirth until it achieves spiritual liberation (moksha).
4. Moksha: Moksha is the goal of Hindu life, representing liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and union with
the divine (Brahman). It is attained through spiritual realization, self-realization, and liberation from ignorance and
worldly attachments.

Beliefs
4. Brahman: Brahman is the ultimate reality or universal soul, which is formless, infinite, and eternal. It is the
source of all existence and encompasses everything in the universe. 5. Multiple Deities: Hinduism is
characterized by a vast pantheon of deities, each representing different aspects of the divine. Major deities include
Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), Shiva (the destroyer), Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), Saraswati
(goddess of knowledge), and many others.

Beliefs
5. Sacred Texts: Hinduism has a rich collection of sacred texts, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita,
Ramayana, and Mahabharata. These texts provide guidance on philosophy, spirituality, ethics, rituals, and
 mythology. 6. Ahimsa: Ahimsa, or non-violence, is a fundamental principle of Hindu ethics. It emphasizes
compassion, kindness, and non-harming of all living beings.

Practice
1.Worship (Puja): Hindus engage in various forms of worship, both at home and in temples. Puja involves offering
prayers, flowers, incense, and food to deities, often accompanied by chanting of mantras and hymns. Temples
serve as sacred spaces for communal worship and rituals.
2.Festivals (Utsavas): Hinduism celebrates numerous festivals throughout the year, which mark important
religious events, seasonal changes, and cultural traditions. Some major festivals include Diwali (Festival of Lights),
Holi (Festival of Colors), Navaratri (Nine Nights), and Durga Puja.

Practice
3. Rituals and Ceremonies: Various life-cycle rituals, such as birth ceremonies (naming ceremonies), weddings,
and funeral rites (cremation), play an important role in Hindu tradition. These rituals mark significant life transitions
and are performed according to prescribed customs and traditions.

5. Judaism
Is one of the oldest monotheistic religions, with its roots in the covenant between God and the Hebrew people as
recorded in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). Jews follow religious laws and traditions outlined in the Torah.

Beliefs
1. Monotheism: Central to Judaism is the belief in one God (Yahweh), who is the creator and ruler of the universe.
This belief is expressed in the Shema, a central prayer in Judaism: "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is
one."
2. Covenant: Judaism teaches that God made a covenant with the Jewish people, as recorded in the
Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). This covenant establishes a special relationship between God and the Jewish
people, marked by mutual responsibilities and obligations.
3. Torah: The Torah, comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, Deuteronomy), is the central religious text in Judaism. It contains the divine laws, commandments
(mitzvot), narratives, and teachings that guide Jewish life and practice.

Beliefs
3. Messiah: While beliefs about the Messiah vary among Jewish traditions, many Jews await the coming of the
Messiah (Mashiach), a future redeemer who will usher in an era of peace, justice, and spiritual renewal.
4. Life After Death: Jewish beliefs about the afterlife vary, but many Jews affirm the concept of
Olam Ha-Ba (the World to Come), a spiritual realm or state of existence where souls experience
reward or punishment based on their deeds in life.

Practice

1. Shabbat: Shabbat, or the Sabbath, is a central practice in Judaism, observed from Friday
evening to Saturday evening. Jews commemorate the biblical commandment to rest on the seventh
day of the week, refraining from work and engaging in prayer, study, family gatherings, and festive
meals.
2. Prayer: Jews engage in regular prayer, both individually and communally, throughout the day. Daily
prayers
include the Shema (declaration of faith), Amidah (standing prayer), and other prayers from the Siddur
(prayer
book). Prayer services are held in synagogues and often include chanting, singing, and reading from the
Torah.

6. Taoism
Originating in China, Taoism emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, often translated as "the Way." Taoism has
been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500 B.C.E. wrote the main book of Taoism, the Tao Te
Ching. Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the Tao, or the universe. Taoists believe in
spiritual immortality, where the spirit of the body joins the universe after death.

Beliefs
1. The Tao: At the heart of Taoism is the concept of the Tao (Dao), which can be translated as "the Way" or "the
Path." The Tao is the underlying principle of the universe, an ineffable and transcendent force that governs all natural
processes and phenomena. It is the source of all existence and the ultimate reality.
2. Yin and Yang: Taoism teaches the complementary nature of Yin and Yang, representing the dualistic forces and
principles that underlie all aspects of existence. Yin symbolizes darkness, receptivity, and femininity, while Yang
symbolizes light, activity, and masculinity. The balance and interplay between Yin and Yang are essential for harmony
and balance in the universe.

Practice
Feng Shui: Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of arranging living spaces in harmony with the natural environment
to promote health, prosperity, and well being. Taoist principles of balance, flow, and harmony are applied to the design
and layout of homes, buildings, and landscapes to optimize energy flow (Qi) and create auspicious environments.

Practice
2. Yin and Yang: Taoism teaches the complementary nature of Yin and Yang, representing the dualistic forces and
principles that underlie all aspects of existence. Yin symbolizes darkness, receptivity, and femininity, while Yang
symbolizes light, activity, and masculinity. The balance and interplay between Yin and Yang are essential for harmony
and balance in the universe.

7. Confucianism
Is a philosophical and ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius, emphasizing the importance of moral
values, social harmony, and filial piety. Confucian principles have influenced Chinese culture for centuries.
7. Confucianism
The golden rule of Confucianism is “Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.”

In Confucianism, benevolence, humaneness, and pleasant human experiences are wrapped into the word Ren (仁).
This concept was tied very closely to Tian (heaven). Among other Confucian values are righteousness and justice,
propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness.
Filial Piety (Xiao): Practicing filial piety, or respect and devotion to one's parents and ancestors, is fundamental in
Confucianism. This includes obeying parents' wishes, caring for them in old age, and honoring their memory through
rituals and ceremonies.

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING ONE’S RELIGION

1. Helps you understand who you are and where you come from.
2. Connects you to your culture and traditions.
3. Gives you a sense of belonging in a community.
4. Guides you in living a good and ethical life.
5. Provides comfort and support in difficult times.
6. Helps you respect and understand others' beliefs.
7. Contributes to peace and harmony in society.