SUPERNATURALS:

BELIEVE IT OR

NOT!CHAPTER 2 LESSON 3

LESSON OBJECTIVE

At the end of this lesson, you should be

able to:

1. identify various religious practices and beliefs;

2. understand the self in relation with religious

beliefs; and

3. explain ways of finding the meaning of life.

RELIGION

Rebecca Stein works in the

definition of religion "as a set of

cultural beliefs and practices that

usually includes some or all of

basic characteristics.

These characteristics are:

1. Belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being, such as spirit and,gods.

2. Focus on the sacred supernatural, where sacred refers to a feeling ofreverence and awe.

3. Presence of supernatural power or energy that is found onsupernatural beings as well as physical beings and objects.

4. Performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation ofsacred object to communicate to supernatural beings and/or toinfluence or control events.

5. Articulation of worldview and moral codes.

6. Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds andmechanism of social control within a community; provideexplanation for unknown and a sense of control for individuals ritual.

RITUAL

Is the performance of ceremonial

acts prescribed by a tradition or

sacred law.

Is a specific, observable mode of

behavior exhibited by all known

societies.

3 fundamental characteristics of rituals

according to Penner:

1. A feeling or emotion of respect, awe,

fascination or dread in relation to the

sacred.

2.Dependence upon a belief system that

is usually expressed in the language of

myth.

3.Is symbolic in relation to its reference.

SOME WORLD

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND

PRACTICES

BUDDHISM

BeliefsBuddhism believes that life is not a bed of

roses, Instead, there are suffering, pain

and frustrations.

When people suffer, they want to

experience the goodness of life and avoid

disappointments.

It becomes a habit known as the reactive

cycle of wanting and hating, like and

dislike, and craving and aversion.

Customs and Practices

2 types of meditation practices:

❑ Samatha

– is practiced as mindfulness of

breathing and development of loving-

kindness.

❑ Vipassana

– practices aim at developing

insight into reality.

Dharma Wheel

Right View

(know the truth)Right intentions

(free your mind of

evil)

Right speech

(say nothing that hurts

other

Right action

(work for the good of

others)Right livelihood

(respect life)

Right effort

(resist evil)

Right concentration

(practice meditation)

Right mindfulness

(control your thoughts)

Buddhist Celebration

❑ Parinirvana Day in February

❑ Buddha Day (Wesak) in May

❑ Dharma Day in July

❑ Padmasambhava Day in October

❑ Sangha Day in November

CHRISTIANITY

Beliefs

Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God – fully human and fully divine – and that through believing in him and following his teachings they can inherit eternal life.

Christians believe in Trinitarian God.

One God in three personas:

God the Father (Creator)

God the Son (Savior)

God the Holy Spirit (Sustainer)

The cross is a symbol of Christianity.

The sacred text of Christianity is the Holy Bible.

➢ Old Testament

➢ New Testament

Customs and Practices

❑ The Seven Sacraments

Sacraments of Initiation

- These sacraments lay the foundation of every Christian life.

1. Baptism

- In Baptism we receive new life in Christ. Baptism takes away original sin

and gives us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. Its sign is the pouring of water.

2. Confirmation

- Confirmation seals our life of faith in Jesus. Its signs are the laying on of

hands on a person’s head, most often by a bishop, and the anointing with oil.

Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once.

3. Eucharist

- The Eucharist nourishes our life of faith. Its signs are the bread and wine we

receive—the Body and Blood of Christ.

Sacraments of Healing

- These sacraments celebrate the healing power of Jesus.

4. Penance

- Through Penance we receive God’s forgiveness.

Forgiveness requires being sorry for our sins. In Penance we

receive Jesus’ healing grace through absolution by the priest.

The signs of this sacrament are our confession of sins and the

words of absolution.

5. Anointing of the Sick

- This sacrament unites a sick person’s suffering with that of

Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins. Oil, a symbol of strength,

is the sign of this sacrament. A person is anointed with oil

and receives the laying on of hands from a priest.

Sacraments at the Service of Communion

- These sacraments help members serve the community.

6. Matrimony

In Matrimony a baptized man and woman are united with each

other as a sign of the unity between Jesus and his Church. Matrimony

requires the consent of the couple, as expressed in the marriage

promises. The couple and their wedding rings are the signs of this

sacrament.

7. Holy Orders

In Holy Orders men are ordained as priests, deacons, or

bishops. Priests serve as spiritual leaders of their communities, and

deacons serve to remind us of our baptismal call to help others. Bishops

carry on the teachings of the apostles. The signs of this sacrament are

the laying on of hands and anointing with oil by the bishop.

Customs and Practices The following are the 10 Commandments

1. I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods

before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the LORD'S Day.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

10.You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

Customs and Practices

2 major celebrations in Christianity:

❑ Christmas

- Usually on December 25,

commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

❑ Resurrection (Easter)

- celebrates the resurrection of Jesus

Christ from death.

HINDUISM

Beliefs Hinduism covers a wide range of traditional

beliefs and religious groups; thus, there is no

single founder or leader.

Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth,

death and rebirth, governed by Karma.

Karma is a concept where the reincarnated life

will depend on how the past life was spent.

Vedas are sacred scriptures of Hindus.

Mahabharata and Ramayana are two important

texts of Hindus.

Customs and Practices

Diwali and Navrati are the most

celebrated festivals of the Hindus.

o Diwali

- the Festival of Lights.

o Navrati

- the Festival of nine nights, which

celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

ISLAM

Beliefs

Muslims believe in Allah, who is their "One God."

Muslims also have a strong sense of community or

"ummah" and an awareness of their solidarity with

all Muslims worldwide.

Islam means "willing submission to God."

Muslims believe that Mohammed is the last anf

final prophet sent by God.

Quran is the Holy Book of Islam, which was

taught to be recited in Arabic.

Customs and Practices

Muslims believe in the five Pillars of Islam:

✓ Shahadah

- statement of faith: "There is no God but the one true

God and Mohammed is his messenger."

✓ Salat

- the prayer that is practiced five times a day.

✓ Zakat

- the monetary offering for the benefit of the poor. It comprises the 2.5% of a Muslim's

assets.

✓ Hajj

- the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford are asked to do the pilgrimage

at least once in their lifetime.

✓ Sawm

- the fasting during the celebration of Ramadan.

- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

JUDAISM

Beliefs

The Jews believe in the God of Abraham, the

same God that liberated the Hebrew slaves

from Egypt to Canaan, the Promised Land

through the leadership of Moses and later,

Joshua.

The Jews believe in the coming of Messiah,

the Savior.

Torah or the Law is the sacred scripture of

the Jews.

Customs and Practices

There are five major festivals observed by the

Jews:

1. Rosh Hashanah - the New Year

2. Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement

3.Pesach - Passover

4. Shavout - Pentecost

5.Sukkot - Tabernacles. The Jewish Sabbath begins

on Friday evening at sunset and is an important

time when families gather for the Shabbat meal.

Religious beliefs, rituals, practices

and customs are all part of the

expression of the spiritual self.

Religious beliefs and practices,

therefore are formed relative to its

context and culture.

END