Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III - Central Luzon
Division of City of San Jose Del Monte Bulacan.
Introduction to World Religions
(Based on your exam content)
I. Key Elements and Characteristics of Religion
1. Sacred Beliefs & Practices
o Rituals & Worship – Actions done to honor the divine (e.g., prayers, offerings, chanting).
o Sacred Space – Special or holy places (e.g., temples, churches, mosques) treated with
respect.
o Belief in the Sacred – Faith in a higher power and moral laws common across religions.
o Example: Removing shoes before entering a temple is a sign of respect for sacred space.
2. Community Role
o Religion gathers people for common beliefs and worship.
o Examples: Festivals, charity work, and organized rituals.
II. Major World Religions – Origins, Beliefs, and Practices
A. Hinduism
Origin: Indus Valley Civilization.
Key Beliefs: Dharma (duty), Karma (actions have consequences), Reincarnation (rebirth).
Practices: Following one’s dharma, various festivals like Diwali.
Special Notes: Associated with the caste system.
B. Buddhism
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
Origin: Nepal (Lumbini – Buddha’s birthplace).
Key Belief: Four Noble Truths & the Eightfold Path – guide to end suffering.
Focus: Inner peace and enlightenment, not worship of a creator god.
C. Judaism
Origin: Ancient Canaan, Abraham as founder.
Sacred Text: Torah (first five books of the Hebrew Bible).
Practices: Sabbath (rest day), Passover (Exodus remembrance), Rosh Hashanah (New Year),
Yom Kippur (atonement).
Symbols: Star of David.
D. Christianity
Origin: Teachings of Jesus in Galilee.
Sacred Text: Bible (believed to be divinely inspired).
Beliefs: Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ; Golden Rule (“Do to others…”); Gospels = “Good
News.”
Practices: Baptism, Communion (Eucharist), Sunday worship.
Special Commands: The Great Commission – spread the faith.
E. Islam
Origin: Mecca, teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Sacred Text: Qur’an.
Practices: Five Pillars (including Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca).
Belief: One God (Allah) and Muhammad as His prophet.
III. Positive & Negative Effects of Religion
Positive Effects:
o Promotes charity, unity, peace, and social change (e.g., civil rights movement).
o Builds community through shared beliefs and service.
Negative Effects:
o Can cause conflict, discrimination, or injustice (e.g., religious wars, restricting rights of
minority faiths).
o Tensions over different worship practices.
IV. Special Religious Concepts
Interfaith Dialogue: Meeting between different religions to promote understanding.
Ecumenism: Cooperation among Christian denominations despite differences.
Spirituality vs. Organized Religion: Spirituality is personal belief; organized religion has
structured worship and rules.
Religious Freedom: Right to choose one’s religion without force.
V. Social and Cultural Influence
Religion can spread through trade, migration, and missionary work.
Culture and lifestyle influence religious festivals (e.g., farmers have harvest festivals, nomads
honor nature spirits).
Can inspire both peace and conflict depending on how leaders use it.
VI. Key Terms & Meanings
Sabbath: Jewish day of rest (Saturday).
Torah: Jewish law; Hebrew Bible’s first five books.
Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Gospel: Means “Good News.”
Great Commission: Jesus’ command to spread Christianity.
Dharma: Duty or moral responsibility in Hinduism.
Eightfold Path: Buddhist guide to end suffering.
Hajj: Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.
Star of David: Symbol of Judaism.
VII. Tips to Remember for the Exam
1. Match Origins to Religions:
o Hinduism – Indus Valley;
o Buddhism – Nepal (Siddhartha Gautama);
o Judaism – Ancient Canaan (Abraham);
o Christianity – Jesus in Galilee;
o Islam – Mecca (Muhammad).
2. Know Symbols & Sacred Texts:
o Torah = Judaism,
o Bible = Christianity,
o Qur’an = Islam,
o Vedas = Hinduism.
3. Link Practices to Faith:
o Passover = Judaism;
o Communion = Christianity;
o Hajj = Islam.
4. Understand Positive & Negative Impacts of religion on society.
