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 of
reverence and awe.
3. Presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on
supernatural beings as well as physical beings and objects.
4. Performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of
sacred object to communicate to supernatural beings and/or to
influence or control events.
5. Articulation of worldview and moral codes.
6. Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds and
mechanism of social control within a community; provide
explanation 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
Beliefs
 Buddhism 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
Right mindfulness (free your mind of
(control your thoughts) evil)

Right speech
Right concentration
(say nothing that hurts
(practice meditation)
other

Right effort Right action

(resist evil) (work for the good of
Right livelihood others)
(respect life)
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

 TheJews 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.
 Torahor 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