Introduction to

World Religions
and Belief
Systems
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Historical and Geographical Context of
Different Religion
Introduction to World Religion and Belief System – Grade 11
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 2: Historical and Geographical Context of Different Religion
First Edition, 2020

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 Introduction to
World Religions
and Belief
Systems
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Historical and Geographical
Context of Different Religions
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
learn the World Religion and Belief System. The scope of this module permits
it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged
to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you
read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Explain how history and geographical influences religion and religion

affects culture;
2. Analyze the culture of the region that gave rise to specific culture;
3. Cite regions or places where specific religion evolved.

2
 What I Know

Read the following items carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. The three major monotheistic religion in the world are _____________.
a. Judaism, Christianity and Islam
b. Christianity, Catholicism and Protestantism
c. Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism
d. Animism, Theism and Agnosticism
2. Who is considered as the ancestor of Judaism, Christianity and Islam?
a. Jesus c. Adam
b. Abraham d. Noah
3. The belief that things in nature are all possess a distinct spirits or soul.
a. Monotheism c. Animism
b. Religiousness d. Atheism
4. How did the Philippines become Christian country?
a. Christianity is the Philippines’ native religion.
b. Chinese were the first who introduced the Christianity to the
Philippines.
c. Filipinos were the first Christians.
d. Spaniards brought Christianity to the Philippines.
5. The philosophical study of the meaning and nature of religion.
a. Worldview c. Spirituality
b. Religion d. Philosophy of religion
6. Where is the place of origin of Christianity?
a. Southeast Asia c. Africa
b. West Asia d. Europe
7. What is the dominant religion in India?
a. Buddhism c. Christianity
b. Islam d. Hinduism
8. Who brought Christianity in the Philippines?
a. Spaniards c. Americans
b. Japanese d. Chinese
9. Which of the following religions was from the clan of Ishmael?
a. Judaism c. Islam
b. Christianity d. Hinduism
10. Who is the son of Abraham to Sara?
a. Moses c. Ishmael
b. Jacob d. Isaac

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 Module
Historical and Geographical
2 Context of Different Religions

“Culture is the set of arts elevated to a set of beliefs.”

-Thomas Wolfe

What’s In

In 2-3 sentences explain the following:

1. Worldview and belief system

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Difference between religiousness and spirituality
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Difference between theology and philosophy of religion
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Notes to the Teacher

You can show the learners posts about an argument regarding

difference of people’s religions.

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 What’s New

In what religion you and your family belongs to? How you became member of
that religion? What is the religion of your community? Have you ever imagined
if you have been born in different place with different religion? What might’ve
be your religion now?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

What is It

Historical Foundation
Religion have shown ABRAHAM
throughout human history. Even during
prehistoric time, Neanderthals and Cro-
Magnons have practiced a set of belief AGAR SARA KETURAH

systems such as burying their dead,

painting on the walls of caves and carving
ISHMAEL ISAAC SHURA
images from stones. The existence
of humankind for so long a time has
resulted in the formation of religion and ISHMAELITES
JACOB
ISHBAK
belief system. (ISRAEL)

Religions have their origin stories

and are universal in nature. For example, MUHAMMAD ISRAELITES MIDIAN

the three major monotheistic religions in

the world namely, Judaism,
DAVID MEDON
Christianity and Islam have all claims to be
the descendant of Abraham, the first Jew
to be considered to have covenant with SOLOMON JOKSHAN
God. These three religions have all emerged
through one root in history.
Take a look at the family tree of JESUS ZIMRAN

Abraham, we can see that he is the ancest

5
of Israelites, the Judaists, Jesus, the founder of Christianity, and Mohammad,
the founder of Islam. In this, we can notice that the importance of Abraham
lies in the fact that the patriarch (the male head of a family, tribe or clan)
appears as a primary figure for these monotheistic belief system.
Hinduism has another story origin. Before the arrival of the Aryans in
the Indus Valley, Dravidians (natives in Indus Valley) have already native
belief. And it was during the Vedic Period it became systemized as a religion
that preached order and purpose to the cosmos and human life.
Some religion was founded by a man proclaiming that he has the
wisdom to life and even afterlife. For an instance, the Buddhism. It was
founded by Siddhartha Gautama that later known to be the Buddha (the
enlightened one). It centers its attention on the figure of Buddha, who was not
a god but a human being who came to discover how to terminate sufferings
in order to escape the painful and continuous cycle of birth. There is also
Jesus who founded the Christianity which He thought people how to live
rightful and have an everlasting life after death.
There is also the belief of most indigenous people in the world (even our
ancestors practice this kind of belief) which is called animism by
anthropologists. Animism is the belief that things in nature are all possess a
distinct spirits or soul. According to some religious anthropologists, animists
(people who believe in animism) were unable to understand the difference
between persons and things. Animism is said to be the most common,
foundational thread of indigenous people’s spiritual or supernatural
perspective.

Geographical Context
A significant portion of the world religions has a precise place of origin.
For an instance, Judaism, Christianity and Islam are from West Asia (also
known as Middle East). Therefore, these religions are dominant in the
countries in West Asia. Christianity and Islam became universalizing religion
which actively invite non-members to join them. Like what have happened
here in the Philippines. Prior the arrival of Spaniards, our ancestors were
animists. During the colonization of Spaniards, Filipinos were converted into
Christianity (Catholicism in particular) and became the dominant religion in
our country. This also happened in other countries which were colonized by
Spaniards and Portuguese, they became Christians because of the influence
of their colonizers. In another instance, there are places in the world where
the origin religion is still the dominant religion.
Such as, India where the religion is Hinduism. Therefore, religion’s places of
origin and historical events are interconnected.
Now, imagine that you were born in other country, such as India, Iran,
China or Turkey. What might be your religion today?

6
 Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Taoism

https://www.google.com/search?q=map+of+world+religions&sxsrf=ALeKk01EcsNxEMHTvIOM-
ZizpXxah1tGog:1598589431491&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiuqdLZib3rAhVoxIsBHS0KClUQ_AUoAXoECA
4QAw&biw=1366&bih=657 #imgrc=W3vMCIqYR_NbGM

Religion and Culture

A huge factor in different cultures is different religions. As Christopher
Dawson wrote in his book Religion and Culture, "In all ages the first creative
works of a culture are due to a religious inspiration and dedicated to a
religions end" (Dawson 50). Almost every piece of art created by the Greeks or
Romans were dedicated to their gods or depicted the gods doing certain
things. Most ancient stories are in some way influenced by religion, and
people today still hold religious sacrifices, pray, and thank god for things that
happen.
Not only does religion affect how people in certain cultures think or how they
are inspired, but it also affects how they act. For example, Muslims do not
eat, touch, or gift with their left hand, because they think that it is evil. They
also do not talk loudly or hold eye contact, and this is all because of their
religion ("Customs and Behavior | Tips on how to behave in Muslim
countries"). Similarly, many Hindus are vegetarian because of their religion
("Indian Culture: Traditions and Customs of India"). There are many religious
schools, and many little religious things that people do without realizing it.
Lastly, many cultures hold religious ceremonies, have religious foods,
and decorate their houses in special ways. in Phil Borges's TED talk "Phil
Borges on Endangered Cultures", he talked about how many tribes have

7
cultures completely based on their religion and culture, and hold sacrifices.
Jewish people eat latkes during the holidays, and at church Catholics eat
bread and drink wine. Many Christians have crosses decorating their houses,
and sometimes have paintings or pictures saying "God Bless". Religion greatly
affects how people act, decorate, customs, foods, and the culture of a group
of people.

What’s More

Coloring of Map
Color the countries in the map below according to its dominant religion.
Follow the legend below.

Blue- Christianity Red- Islam Orange- Hinduism

Violet- Buddhism Green- Taoism Yellow- Judaism

https://www.123rf.com/photo_50074720_stock-vector-yellow-political-world-map-with-blue-background-and-black-
labelsof-sovereign-countries-and-larger-d.html

8
 What I Have Learned

Write the missing word/s in each number.

1. During _________ time, early humans have practiced a set of

beliefs.
2. The existence of humankind for so long a time has resulted in the
formation of _______________ and belief system.
3. The three major religions claim to be the descendants of
_________________________.
4. Before the arrival of the Aryans in the Indus Valley, Dravidians
already have______________________________.
5. The belief of most indigenous people in the world (even our
ancestors practice this kind of belief) which is called
____________________.
6. Animism is said to be the most common, foundational thread of
__________________________ spiritual or supernatural perspective.
7. A significant portion of the world religions has a precise place of
___________________________.
8. Prior the arrival of Spaniards, our ancestors
were
__________________________.
9. Most ancient stories are in some way influenced
by_________________, and people today still hold religious
sacrifices, pray, and thank god for things that happen.

10. Muslims do not eat, touch, or gift with their left hand, because
they think that it is ___________________________.
11. The importance of Abraham lies in the fact that the
________________ appears as a primary figure for these
monotheistic belief system.
12. Siddhartha Gautama that later known to be the
_______________________.
13. During the colonization of Spaniards, Filipinos were converted
into ____________________________________.
14. Not only does religion affect how people in certain cultures think
or how they are inspired, but it also affects how they
_______________.
15. How people act, decorate, customs, foods, and the culture of a
group of people was greatly affected by ______________________

9
 What I Can Do

Religious Tradition in the Middle of Pandemic

Complete the table below. On the column “Traditional Way,” write the
traditional way of how members of the religion celebrate the following
traditions. On the column “New Way,” write their new way of celebrating the
tradition in accordance to the New Normal. (You can watch news in TV or
internet, listen to radio or read from newspaper or on line article about how
different religious sect adapted the safety precaution in preventing Covid-19
and still practiced their religious traditions.)

Tradition Traditional Way New Way

Worship service held in Virtual worship service.

Example:
the church.
Methodist’s Worship
Service

1.Ramadan among
Muslims

2. Santa Sena of Iglesia

Ni Cristo

3. Mahal na Araw among

Catholics

4.Jehova’s Witnesses
Propagation of Doctrines

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 Assessment

Choose the correct answer. On a sheet of paper, write the letter that correspond to
your answer.

1. The three major monotheistic religion in the world are ________________.

a. Judaism, Christianity and Islam
b. Christianity, Catholicism and Protestantism
c. Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism
d. Animism, Theism and Agnosticism
2. Who is considered as the ancestor of Judaism, Christianity and Islam?
a. Jesus c. Adam
b. Abraham d. Noah
3. The belief that things in nature are all possess a distinct spirits or soul.
a. Monotheism c. Animism
b. Religiousness d. Atheism
4. How did the Philippines become Christian country?
a. Christianity is the Philippines’ native religion.
b. Chinese were the first who introduced the Christianity to the
Philippines.
c. Filipinos were the first Christians.
d. Spaniards brought Christianity to the Philippines.
5. The philosophical study of the meaning and nature of religion.
c. Worldview c. Spirituality
d. Religion d. Philosophy of religion
6. Which of the following shows religious influence in culture?
a. Many Hindus are vegetarian.
b. Cleaning of the house every day.
c. India’s dominant religion is Hinduism.
d. Using of cellphone during class hour is prohibited.
7. Why Muslims do not use their left hand in eating, touching or giving?
a. Because it is evil for Islam.
b. Because it is a bad habit for them.
c. Because left hand bring bad luck to them.
d. Because it is a sign of disrespect to other people.
8. Why is the Philippines a Christian country?
a. Because Jesus born in the Philippines.
b. Because Filipinos came from the race of Abraham.
c. Because Spaniards brought Christianity in the Philippines.
d. Because Christianity is the native religion of the Filipinos.

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9. In Philippine culture and law, having two spouses at a time is forbidden.
It is an example of ______________________.
a. Influence of culture to religion.
b. Influence of religion to culture.
c. Influence of geography to culture.
d. Influence of religion to geography.
10. Choose from the following the religious tradition that adjusted to adapt
the safety precaution for Covid-19 prevention.
a. Instead of going to mosques, Muslim celebrated their Ramadan
in their homes.
b. Most community sets under the Enhanced Community
Quarantine.
c. Parties are restricted.
d. Government gave financial help to most of the Filipino families.
11. In the situations below, which is NOT a religious tradition that used to
fight covid-19 pandemic?
a. Religious gatherings and praying for the protection to avoid
Covid-19 held on line.
b. Instead of bringing the dead body to church before the burial, the
body was cremated and must be prayed by the families.
c. Classes postponed for three months.
d. No funeral for those who died in Covid-19.
12. The belief of most of the indigenous people.
a. Abrahamic c. Monotheism
b. Animism d. Atheism
13. When does the religion existed?
a. Since the existence of human kind and civilization.
b. Since the beginning of the world.
c. Since the birth of Abraham.
d. Since the birth of gods
14. How religion was affected by geography?
a. Religion have shown throughout the human history.
b. A certain religion is likely to be dominant in its place of origin.
c. Religion was already existed even during the pre-historic time.
d. Religion greatly affects how people act, decorate, customs, foods,
and the culture of a group of people.
15. How religion affects the culture?
a. How people act and think is affected by his/her religion.
b. Religions have their origin stories and are universal in nature.
c. A certain religion is likely to be dominant in its place of origin.
d. Universalizing religions invites non-member to their religion and
become a member of their religion.

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 Additional Activities

Complete the table below. On the first column, write the dominant religion of the
place. On the second column, write short historical description of how that religion
became dominant in that place, and on the third column, write certain a culture of
the place that was influenced by the religion.

PLACE DOMINANT SHORT CERTAIN

RELIGION HISTORICAL CULTURE
DESCRIPTION
Example: Islam Mohammad, the Covering the body
founder of Islam, of a female Muslim
Saudi Arabia born in Mecca, with abaya/hijab.
Saudi Arabia.
1. Mindanao

2. India

3. Japan

4. Spain

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Answer Key

14
References

Books
Manaloto, Christian B. and Rapadas, Maria Teresita R. Pilgrimage to sacred
Spaces: An Introduction to World Religions. Quezon Ave., Quezon City.
The Phoenix publishing House Inc., 2016

Internet
Deintsmann, Giovanni. What is spirituality – A Guide to spiritual Path and
Practices. https://liveanddare.com/what-is-spirituality/

Geography, Religion. http://httpgeography.names///religion/

Religion and geography.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_geography

How Does Religion Affect Culture?.

https://whyculturesdevelopdifferently.weebly.com/how-does-religion-
affectculture.html

Witbeck, R.H. The Influence of Geographical Environment to religious Belief.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/207423?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_cont
ents

Levine, G.J. On the Geography of Religion.

https://www.stable/6219seqjstor.org/=134?

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