Grade 11 TheologyWorld Religions

HRE3M1 Unit 1: What is Religion? The Spiritual

Impulse

LARGEST TO SMALLEST…Using your knowledge, place these 6 World Religions in order (largest to smallest!)

Buddhism

Islam Christianity

Sikhism Judaism

Hinduism

Answers:Religion Members Percentage

Christianity 2.1 billion 33%Islam 1.5 billion 21%

Hinduism 900 million 14%Buddhism 367 million 6%Sikhism 23 million 0.36%Judaism 14 million 0.22%

Confucianism 6.3 million 0.1%Jainism 4.2 million 0.1%

Shintoism 4 million 0.0%

Commonalities in all religions…

CREED: The belief system that is central to a religion. Ex. Apostles Creed “I believe in God the

Father Almighty…

CODE: The rules or guidelines to how a person should live. Ex. The Ten Commandments.

CULT: The rituals, practices and festivals marking how one worships. Ex. Mass, weekly/ daily worship.

COMMUNITY: The leaders, hierarchy, teachers, or sects within a religion that bring people together.

Ex. Priests, Rabbi’s.

What is an impulse?

What is the Religious Impulse?

O The roots of religion are older than civilization and date back to the time of the homo sapiens.

O Neanderthals demonstrated an understanding of a supernatural force.

O A common thread throughout countless diversities is the instinct or impulse to worship something…

The Common Features of

Religion

O A belief in the supernatural and spiritual world beyond the physical world.

O A belief in the existence of a soul.O Collection of sacred writings ,poems, prayers,

songs, etc.O Organized institutions marked in society by sacred

spaces such as churches, temples, synagogues, etc.

O Observances of holy days & festivals celebrating shared beliefs and practises of the community.

Continued…O Rules of Conduct designed to help

followers lead an honourable life and provide order for individuals and communities.

O Founder or inspired leaders whoserve & guide communities

O Symbols by which the religionidentifies itself

O Journeys of faith called pilgrimages.

St. Peter’s Bacilica

Mosque - IslamMandir - Hinduism

WHY is Religion Practiced?1. Fear: Life’s trials can be too hard to bear or

resolve on our own and faith helps us through.

2. Wonder: The rich complexity and diversity of the natural world is still largely unexplained.

3. Questioning: Religion can offer answers or comfort to the uncertainty people have.

4. Identity: At some point in life people sense a deeper, more permanent, purposeful element to their identity often described as a soul.

5. Intuition: Religious practice draws us away from the material and helps us seek refuge in a deeper mystical truth.

ActionO Review pages 5 – 13 and answer

questions # 2 – 4 on pg. 13.