EMA EMITS COLLEGE PHILIPPINES

(Formerly: Eastern Mindoro Institute of Technology & Sciences)

Del Pilar St.; Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro
Telefax No. (043) 284-3974

World Religions and Belief Systems

Origin of World Religions

Quarter 1 - Module 2:
How to use this module?
Telefax No. (043) 284-3974
Before starting this module, I want you to set aside other task/s that may disturb while enjoying the lessons.
Read the simple instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this module.
2. Write on your notebook the concept about the lessons.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Analyse conceptually the post test and apply what you have learned.
5. Enjoy studying!

LET`S BEGIN
Similar to living organisms, religions are born in history and they gradually develop into living traditions
and affect the lives of their followers. Belief systems originate in certain localities within the context of culture and
even geography.
The scope of this module covers different learning situations where you could relate different beliefs all
around the world and your personal thoughts and belief and its significance on his/her everyday life. Are you ready
for your learning journey? Enjoy learning.

LET`S SET OUR GOAL

In this module, you should be able to:
 cite regions or places where specific religions evolved
 analyse the culture of the region that gave rise to specific religions
 explain how geography influences religion and religion affects culture
 demonstrate the influence of a religion in a certain culture through poster making

Note: Please be faithful on the above goals and objective. These will serve as your guide on what to learn on
this module. BE HONEST! You need to strive hard in order to reap your rewards. Hardship won’t betray you!
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
PRE-TEST. Read and answer each statement carefully then write the letter of the best answer on a separate sheet of
paper. Please answer honestly. Use your mind and not your data connection!
1. He is a Hebrew patriarch who led to the establishments of three Abrahamic religions; Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam.
a. Isaac c. Abraham
b. Buddha d. Jacob
2. He is the one who founded Confucianism?
a. Buddha c. Confucius
b. Lao Tzu d. Jesus Christ
3. It is the world`s oldest living religion?
a. Hinduism c. Judaism
b. Islam d. Christianity
4. Daoism was founded by a Chinese philosopher named?
a. Deng Xiaopeng c. Lao Tzu
b. Kung Fu Tze d. Xi Huangdi
5. The Hebrews called their God?
a. Allah c. YAHWEH
b. Buddha d. Christ
So! How was it? It’s easy right? Well, ready yourself because the journey is just starting. It will get more
interesting and more challenging. Keep your patience and your smile because this is going to be interesting.
INHALE. EXHALE. Good luck.
 LESSON 1

From their rudimentary forms, religions continually evolved into complicated systems replete with rites and
practices that made recruitment of members necessary. Quite unfortunately, other religions also decline as in the
case of Zoroastrianism that once flourished in South Asia but is now only confined to Iran, India, and Central
Asia. They may also give impetus to establish new movements within religious groups, such as in the case of
Buddhism that may be viewed as a reaction to the overly ritualistic beliefs and the exclusivity of Hinduism.
They may also contribute to the foundation of other religions, such as those themes Christianity borrowed from
Judaism, and themes Islam borrowed from both Christianity and Judaism (Brasswell 1994). This lesson will deal
with the origin of religions along with the geographical context and cultural milieu that have impacted the
establishment of world religions and belief systems.

Hey look! There’s an activity below. I know you can do it! I believe in you because you are smart and
strong.

LET`S DO THIS

LET US HAVE SOME FUN!

MOTIVATIONAL ACTIVITY
Each picture symbolizes a type of religion. Identify the religion that each picture tries to depict. Write a brief
explanation on why you identified a religion with one of the given pictures.

1. 3. 5.

2. 4. 6.

1. __________________ 4. _________________
2. __________________ 5. _________________
3. __________________ 6. _________________

Origins of World Religions

A painting by Jozsef Molnar depicting Abraham's journey from Ur to Canaan. Abraham's story is one of the highlights in Abrahamic
religions.

Concept Map

World Religions

Historical Geographical Cultural

Foundation Context Milieu
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Scholars hold the view that religion is universal and can be found in all known contemporary societies (Ember &
Ember 1997). Even the most fundamental of belief systems can be seen to a greater or lesser degree in all religions
(Hopfe 1983). Various theories have been formulated to explain the origin of religion. Even prehistoric humans,
such as the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, have practiced a set of belief systems in one way or another, including
burying their dead, painting on the walls of caves, and carving images from stones. The existence of humankind for
so long a time has resulted in the formation of religion and belief system.
It is certain that many religions may have been unrecorded in the past. Others may have gradually died
down. This lesson will deal primarily with religions that are still active until the present time. The succeeding table
illustrates some significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions.

The Patriarch Abraham

The prophet and patriarch Abraham played a major role in the establishment of the three monotheistic religions:
namely, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which account for more than half of the world’s total population at
present. As such, these organized religions are collectively known as Abrahamic religions. The Jewish people
regard Abraham as the ancestor of the Israelites, through his descendants Isaac and Jacob. The Muslims consider
Abraham’s son Ishmael as the ancestor of the Arabs. The Christians view Abraham as ‘father in faith’ as narrated in
the Bible and the ancestor of Jesus Christ.
THREE MAJOR ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS
NAME FOUNDED GOD MAIN MAIN BOOK
DOCTRINE
1. Judaism 1,500 B.C YHWH 10 Commandments Bible (Old
Testament
especially the first
five), Torah
2. Christianity 1st Century A.D YHWH as Father, 10 Commandments, Bible (Old and New
Jesus as Son, and Trinity, Those Testaments)
Holy Spirit believe in Christ
shall be saved.
3. Islam 7th Century A.D Allah Q`uran, they also
believe in the Bible.

The Indian Mosaic

With its history dating back to at least 6500 B.C.E., India is one of the world’s oldest surviving civilizations.
The many conquerors that came to India were gradually absorbed into the native Indian religions. With great
movements of various people in the past came their customs, arts, languages, literature, beliefs, and many more
facets of their culture. The Harappan civilization, the Aryan influence, the local dynasties, and the Muslim
conquest all had their fair share in building the intricate Indian mosaic.

St

DHARMIC/INDIAN RELIGIONS
NAME FOUNDED GOD MAIN MAIN BOOK
DOCTRINE
1. Hinduism Somewhere Main: Reincarnation Vedas
between 2300 Brahma, the creator Karma
B.C. and 1500 B.C. Vishnu, the
preserver; and
Shiva, the destroyer
2. Buddhism 5th century B.C. The Buddha Four noble truths; Tripitaka
 Eightfold Path
3. Sikhism 1500 century C.E  Waheguru Faith and Adi Granth
(Wonderful God or meditation on the
Lord) name of the one
creator; divine unity
and equality of all
humankind;
4. Jainism 5th century B.C Jains do not believe Jainism is a religion The Agamas
in a God or gods in of self-help. There
the way that many are no gods or
other religions do, spiritual beings that
but they do believe will help human
in divine (or at least beings. The three
perfect) beings who guiding principles
are worthy of of Jainism, the
devotion. 'three jewels', are
right belief, right
knowledge and right
conduct.

GEOGRAPHY OF FAITH

Laws and social norms vary by region and localities. The study about geography of religion may reveal some
fascinating truths why a certain country is predominated by one particular religion or why a specific region became
homeland of great religions.

The Western Frontier

West Asia is home of three great religions, namely, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Comprising the area bordered
on the west by the fertile coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and on the east by the arid deserts of Arabia, the
history of these religions is closely linked with this region. Countries closest to the eastern part of the
Mediterranean Sea north of the Arabian Sea and south of Turkey, sometimes called the Levant, have experienced
numerous religious cataclysms in their existence as nation-states. These include Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria, and
Palestine.

The topography of West Asia is characterized by vast areas of mountainous terrains. Mountains play
significant roles in many religious beliefs as these landforms provide ideal settings where gods live or where gods
and mortals meet. In the Judeo-Christian region of West Asia and Egypt, there are four sacred mountains listed in
the table below.

Holy Mountains Location Significance

Mount Ararat Eastern part of Turkey Traditional landing place of Noah’s Ark as narrated in
the Book of Genesis
Mount Sinai Sinai Peninsula in The peak where Moses received the Ten Commandments
Egypt
Mount Zion/Mount Moriah Jerusalem Known as the city of David and Temple Mount
Mount Tabor Israel Site of transfiguration of Jesus Christ
The Temple Mount is one of the most sacred sites in the world revered by the Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Three structures are found in the present site that includes the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the
Dome of the Chain. The Jewish people consider the Temple Mount as their holiest shrine. Mount Moriah is also
believed to be the site of sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham.

Meanwhile, vast expanse of deserts and bodies of water in West Asia also figure significantly in biblical history.
From the Book of Exodus, it narrates Yam Suph being crossed by the Israelites as they escaped from Egyptian lands.
Yam Suph is believed to be the present-day Red Sea which is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between
Africa and Asia. The modern-day translation of Yam Suph is “Sea of Reeds.” For many years, the Israelites lived in
the wilderness at the Sinai Desert en route to the Promised Land. It is believed that the spiritual cleansing of
one’s self transpires in the desert. Another body of water mentioned in the Bible is the Dead Sea along with the
dwelling caves near it at the time of David. The Dead Sea is a landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan.

The Indian Subcontinent

The subcontinent of South Asia covers an area of more than one and a half million square miles stretching
from the Hindu Kush and Baluchi Hills on the west and the Great Himalayan mountain range on the north, to the
Burmese mountain on the east and the Indian Ocean on the south (Wolpert 1993). More than 4000 years ago, a
civilization emerged along the Indus River that developed a unique and exceptional culture long before the dawn of
the Christian era. Invasions from people originating in Macedonia and Central Asia have added diversity to India’s
population and complexity to its culture (Wolpert 1993).

Because sweltering heat is one major feature of India’s ecological setting, it is no wonder that Hindus
revere the sun (Surya) and fire (Agni). Likewise, water also plays a major role in the Indian psyche as evidenced by
Hindus venerating a god of water and celestial oceans (Varuna). The South Asian countries of India, Pakistan, and
Bangladesh depend mightily on the rivers Indus, Ganga-Yamuna, and Brahmaputra.

The Eastern End

At the eastern end of the great Asian continent one finds the cultural and political dominance of China.
Stretching more than 5,000 kilometers across the Asian landmass, it is bordered by various bodies of water in the
east and land borders in all other directions. China’s population is concentrated primarily in the eastern and southern
parts where agricultural activities flourish. Deserts (such as the Gobi and Taklamakan) and plateaus dominate the
northern and western territory of China that served as natural barriers from foreign invaders coming from that
front. As such, the great Chinese civilization developed entirely on its own without interference from outside forces.
Chinese culture practically influenced all other countries at its outskirts, including Japan and Korea.

THE CULTURAL MILIEU

World religions can be regarded along the lines of their exclusivity or non-exclusivity. Exclusive religions are
oftentimes monotheistic with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as examples. Meanwhile, non-exclusive religions are
often polytheistic in nature. Examples of non-exclusive religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism,
and Shintoism.

 On Monotheism and Universality

Monotheism or the belief in one God is an ancient idea that predated the establishment of Abrahamic religions. From
the three Abrahamic religions, however, Christianity has somewhat differed based on its concept of the trinitarian
creed in contrast to the unitarian creed. While Judaism and Islam affirm the presence of one god, Christianity
acknowledges one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God having three persons could
also mean three persons and one substance as forwarded by the Church Father Tertullian (c. 155 – 240 C.E.).
The basic principles of the Muslim faith are reflected in the “Five Pillars of Islam.” The first pillar as the
profession of the Muslim faith succinctly states that “there is no God but Allah.” Simply put, there are no gods, but
only Allah. Allah is eternal, creator, omnipotent, infinitely good, merciful, but harsh on those who oppose his will
(Jomier 1999). Muslims are urged to worship Allah alone and avoid veneration of transitory things of the world
(Frager 2002).
Both Christianity and Islam are considered universalizing religions because they attempt to operate on a
global scale and are not inextricably linked to any nation, ethnicity, or place as opposed to ethnic religions that
attract one group of people residing in one locality.

 On the Concept of Dharma

Majority of Indians are Hindus. Buddhism, which originated in India, has been absorbed into the Hindu
worldview (Kolanad 1994). Hindu religions foster tolerance as they coexisted peacefully for many generations in
most parts of India. The concept of dharma is integral in religions that emerged in India, including Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. In Hinduism, dharma could mean duty, righteousness, and ethics. In all
humanity, this is common and evident in virtues such as peacefulness, empathy, and kindness. Dharma is also found
in one’s caste in the present life and toward another life that could lead to liberation from the cycle of rebirth
(Coogan 2005). For Buddhism, it means cosmic law and order, or the teachings of the Buddha and the truth of the
way things are. For the Theravada sect, dharma is sometimes used to indicate all the factors of existence. As the
Buddha himself explained, “This Dharma that I have attained is profound, hard to see and hard to understand,
peaceful and sublime, unattainable by mere reasoning, subtle, to be experienced by the wise.”

 On Nature and Ancestors

The elements of cult of heaven and ancestor worship are features of ancient Chinese culture integrated into
the Confucian philosophy and belief. Apart from Confucianism, lesser deities are also apparent in Daoism with the
presence of atmospheric gods, gods of locality, and functional gods. Chinese belief systems soon arrived in Japan
and influenced the local culture and the indigenous polytheistic religion Shintoism. In Shintoism, divinities are
closely linked to nature and natural forces. The sacred Mount Fuji, an abode of Japanese gods, is surrounded by
temples and shrines. It is one of the three holy mountains along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. Shrines are
erected to venerate or remember ancestors, an occurrence, and natural phenomena, such as mountains, rivers, rocks,
and trees. Shinto followers carry out ritualistic practices conscientiously in order to establish union with the present
society and the nation’s past. Shintoism serves as a guide and way that somehow run contrary to established world
religions. Majority of its followers also practice Buddhism.
 LET`S EXPLORE

Answer the following questions in a separate sheet of paper. Use your own choice of words and not just copy what’s
given in the discussion above. Be unique! You’re not born to be someone’s photocopy! Flourish and express your
unique ideas without getting out of context. Answer on a separate paper.

1. How important is the role of Abraham in the development of monotheistic religions?

2. In what ways are Confucianism and Taoism more of a social philosophy rather than organized religions?
3. How did geography affect religious events and development in West Asia, in the Indian subcontinent, and
in China?
4. What are the major points of difference between dharmic religions and Abrahamic religions?
5. Why are natural forces and environment integral in the Shinto religion?

KEEP IN MIND
NEVER FORGET
Religion is considered universal and it can be found in all known contemporary societies. The prophet and patriarch
Abraham played a major role in the establishment of three monotheistic religions, namely, Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam. Religion is an essential part of Indian tradition as four main religions originated here, namely, Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Both Confucius and Laozi were followers of the Dao. The Confucian Dao
principally concerns human affairs while the Daoist Dao means the way the universe works. West Asia is home of
three great religions, namely, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Heat and water are major features of India’s
ecological setting. As a result, deities of sun, fire, and water are venerated in India. Chinese culture practically
influenced all other nations at its outskirts, including Japan and Korea. Monotheism or the belief in one god is an
ancient idea that predated the establishment of Abrahamic religions. The concept of dharma is integral in religions
that emerged in India, most especially Hinduism and Buddhism. Chinese belief system arrived in Japan and
influenced the local culture and the indigenous polytheistic religion Shinto.

Now that you have been learning and crunching your way towards here, let us see if you can apply these
concepts in a real life situation.

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Direction: Answer the following questions\

1. How important is the role of Abraham in the development of monotheistic religions?

2. In what ways are Confucianism and Taoism more of a social philosophy rather than organized religions?
3. How did geography affect religious events and development in West Asia, in the Indian subcontinent, and
in China?
4. What are the major points of difference between dharmic religions and Abrahamic religions?
5. Why are natural forces and environment integral in the Shinto religion?

REFLECTION
Congratulations on almost finishing the module! You have just had an amazing learning journey
and for sure, you will also do the same in the succeeding modules. Great job!

Share your final insights by completing the following sentences. Do this in a separate paper.

1. I have learned
that___________________________________________________________________.
2. Studying this lesson or topic is important
because__________________________________________.
3. I have a question about something that needs more explain, this question
is______________________?

QUIZ TIME

POST-TEST. Do this on a separate sheet of long bond paper.

Assessment
A. Write TRUE if the statement is correct. Write FALSE if the statement is incorrect.
____________1. The term ‘Shinto’ came from two Indian words.
____________2. The Hindu god of fire is Agni.
____________3. Judaism has 48 prophets and seven prophetesses.
____________4. The concept of filial piety is integral in Islam.
____________5. God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac at Mount Hira.
____________6. The Analects and Dao De Jing are sacred texts in Chinese religions.
____________7. The Ganga is the holiest river for the Muslims.
____________8. The Arabian Peninsula consists of countries that are predominantly Buddhist in character.
____________9. Saudi Arabia experienced a bloody civil war from 1975 to 1990 between Christians and
Muslims.
____________10. The Hindus believe in the trimurti or the three forms of their god.
____________11. Bodhisattvas have gained spiritual enlightenment but opted to postpone their entry to
nirvana to assist other being in their path to salvation.
____________12. The holy mountains in Japan are Mount Fuji, Mount Tate, and Mount Moriah.
____________13. Meritocracy became the basis of government officials during the time of Confucius.
____________14. The Dome of the Rock is located in Mount Ararat.
____________15. The teachings of Confucius became the state religion during the Han Dynasty.

B. Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blanks provided.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

_______1. Type of Buddhism that developed A. Neanderthals

in Japan.
_______2. The Hindu god of water and B. Muhammad
celestial oceans.
_______3. Prehistoric species of humans. C. Yahweh
_______4. Term for the teachings of the
Buddha. D. Varuna
_______5. Forwarded the idea of ‘three
E. Dharma
persons, one substance’.
_______6. A name given by the Hebrews to
their god.
_______7. Considered as the “Seal of the F. Baekje
Prophets”.
_______8. A pilgrimage site along the river G. Ishmael
Ganga.
H. Zen
_______9. Believed to be the ancestor of the
Arab people. I. Varanasi
_______10. One of the three kingdoms in
Korea J. Tertullian

C. Create a poster illustrating the unity of world religions. Explain your work . Your poster will be graded
based on the rubric below.
D. RUBRIC FOR POSTER PRESENTATION
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS POINTS OBTAINED
Organization The concept was clearly and creatively 6
conveyed.
Content Important concepts were highlighted and 14
explained.

Total: 20

REFERENCES
Ong, J.a & Jose, M.D. introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. Vival Group Inc. pp 14- 30(2016)

YOU DID GREAT!