This week in Humanities was an overview of world religions. We looked at four questions:
1. What is religion?
2. Why study it?
3. How are religions similar?
4 How are religions different?
Religions:
A force of change
What is
religion?
It is generally defined as the service and adoration of a
god or gods as expressed in the form of worship. Religions influence the values
and behaviour of individual people and society as a whole.
Religions usually attempt to answer the “big” questions,
such as: Why do we exist; What is true and real; How did the universe begin;
How does life end; Is there immortality; What is right and wrong; Why do things
happen the way they do.
So why study it?
Because it is a part of all cultures and history, a study of
it helps us to:
- understand differences between nations and cultures;
- see similarities in views of the world;
- appreciate our own beliefs by seeing them alongside those
of others;
- relate one religion to another;
- keep from being superior by expanding our points of view
and understanding.
How Religions are
Similar
- Most
have a belief in a power greater than humankind, which is the source of
life
- Most
have a holy place to which people make pilgrimages, i.e., Mecca, Vatican
- Most
have holy writings, i.e., Bible, Qur’an
- Most
have a few important people, i.e. prophets, missionaries, who are revered
- Most
have a set of symbols, i.e., crosses, stars, etc.
- Most
have a place of worship, i.e., church, temple, etc.
- Most have a belief in a “golden rule,” i.e., do unto
others, goodwill towards man etc.
How Religions are Different
- Most
differ in their idea of sin or evil
- Most
differ in their idea of salvation
- Most
differ in their idea of priesthood
- Most
differ in their idea of a personal god
There are hundreds of different religions in the world, but
some of the major world religions include: Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism,
Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam.
Using some of the information students learned, they were to make up their own religion and present it in a brochure. The following information should be included in their project:
- Name of religion and a symbol
- How and why your religion began
- The five basic beliefs of your religion
- The structure of your religion (who leads it? who are the helpers?)
- Illustrations and information about your religions place of worship
- A paragraph on why the world needs your religion
- Written presentation (colour, spelling, punctuation, layout and design)
Total marks: 35 (5 marks per category)
