1. HRT 3M1
World Religions
WHY IS RELIGION PRACTICED?
It appears from archaeological records that one of the
aspects of human nature is a search for the divine.
Look at the following pictures and try to determine
what we can learn about being human from these
pictures? What do these images have in common?
What are humans looking for?

2. Prehistoric Cave Drawings

3. Dante's Inferno

4. The Creation of Adam is a fresco
on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel,
painted by Michelangelo circa 1511.
It illustrates the biblical story from
the Book of Genesis in which God
the Father breathes life into Adam,
the first man.

5. Aztec Mythology
Aztec mythology tells of four
creator gods, each associated
with a direction and a color—
Tezcatlipoca, the north and black;
Quetzalcoatl, the west and white;
Huitzilopochtli, the south and
blue; and Xipe Totec, the east and
red. This drawing shows
Hueheuteotl, the god of fire,
surrounded by the four
directions.

6. Science

7. Buddhism Wheel of Life
This wheel illustrates the
Buddhist worldview and
provides instruction on how to
live a good life. The wide circle
divided into six units, depicts
the six different levels of
conditioned existence, while
the outermost concentric ring
of the Wheel is divided into
twelve units, each depicting a
phase of the cycle of cause and
effect which keeps one
trapped in the six realms of
cyclic existence mentioned
above.

8. Why Religion?
Humans have always had a desire to understand their
world/universe on a level that is not evident in animals
Humans desire a greater meaning beyond ourselves and
our everyday lives.
This search for meaning comes in 4 areas:
The Physical (that which we can see and touch - SCIENCE)
The Communal (relationships with others)
The Rational (reason - PHILOSOPHY)
Spiritual Experience (RELIGION)

9. Why Religion
Because humans are searching for meaning we often
meet with things that we cannot understand – Mystery
Trying to decipher and understand this mystery is what
humans desire and can take two forms:
● Science
● Religion

10. Religious Questions
Religion attempts to answer the mystery of
existence through questions such as…
● Why do we exist?
● Is there immortality?
● What happens when we die?
● What is the “good life”?
● What is right and wrong?

11. Scientific Questions
Science attempts to answer the "mystery" of
existence through questions such as…
Big Bang Theory — How and why did the universe begin?
Time Travel — Is time travel physically or logically possible?
Meaning of Life — What's the point of living? why are we here?
Creation vs. Evolution — Are we descended from apes?
Artificial Intelligence — Could a computer have a mind?
Life After Death — What is death and why should we fear it?
Extraterrestrial Life — Are we alone in the universe?
Cultural Relativism — Are moral values relative or absolute?
Ethical Dilemmas — How do we decide between right and wrong?
Social Justice — Should the rich help the poor?

12. Worldviews
Science and Religion, while similar in that they
are attempting to answer the same questions, are
two different worldviews
There are 3 main worldviews:
● Cosmocentric
● Theocentric
● Secular Humanist

13. Cosmocentric
Nature itself is seen as an
expression of the sacred - the
universe is alive and filled with a
spiritual presence.
Human lives are seen as
dependent on nature’s patterns.
Stories, narratives and symbols
all reflect the beginning and
continuation of the cosmos.
Many NATIVE or
ABORIGINAL cultures see their
world in these terms and seek to
integrate ways to honour nature’
s sacredness into daily life.

14. Theocentric
This approach looks for deeper
understanding of a reality
beyond the cosmos.
As Christians we call this
REALITY, “God”.
The belief is that God created
the universe and is separate
from the universe; each person
is created in the image of God.
The purpose of life is to
discover the path that will lead
to (re)UNION with God and to
live in accordance with the rules
and values that reflect and can
achieve this purpose.

15. Secular Humanism
In the modern era humanity became interested in itself and its
own story – this has taken on religious or non-religious forms:
Secular humanists believe that the dignity of the person,
human life and happiness are achieved through human reason
and effort alone.
Goal of existence is to lead a good and useful life, focused on
‘NOW,’with no concern for eternity/no belief in an afterlife.
Committed to improving life through science, education, art
etc. So the main concerns of humans are fulfillment, growth and
creativity for individuals and humankind.

16. Secular Humanism
This view upholds the belief that there is NO divine presence
and NO NEED for one since all nature can be viewed
scientifically. Religion is an illusion; a stage to grow out of.
People are viewed as free individuals who are no longer linked
to a community.
To be authentic people must be true to themselves, not outside
rules. Beliefs, traditions, values and ethics based on reason NOT
revelation (religion based/irrational).
Secular Humanism is a way of thinking about the world where
the ONLY truth worth considering is one based on HUMAN
VALUES alone. Religion is pushed out of the picture, and
SCIENCE and technology are believed to provide the answers to
life’s problems

17. Science vs. Religion
Modern times have involved a growing emphasis on a scientific way of knowing –
what can be seen in the material world, what can be proven through observation
and what can be understood through reason. It became more accepted that
people should not accept anything as true unless they had observable and
measurable reason to hold something to be true.
This movement was known as RATIONALISM
For Discussion/Thought:
Q: CAN SCIENCE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT GOD???
Q: WHAT CURRENT ISSUES RAISE QUESTIONS OF REASON AND FAITH???
Q: IS RELIGION DEAD OR DYING???

18. Religion & the Modern World
Although there has been no official state religion in
Canada since 1867, it was founded by Christian
explorers and thus its forefathers established
institutions and laws based on Christian ideals.
Brainstorm: Answer the following questions before
going to the next slide.
● Where do we still see vestiges of Christianity in our society?
● What are some signs that the influence of Christianity is declining?

19. Vestiges of Christianity:
Vestiges of Christianity:
● Canada's legal and ethical system are largely based on Judeo-Christian
teachings
● We hear public figures asking God to bless our country
● Publicly funded Catholic school systems (Ontario)
● National anthem “God keep our land, glorious and free”
● Other ideas?

20. The Decline of Christianity
Evidence of change:
● Greater number of people in Canada claim to have no religion – 2001, 16.2 percent or 4.8 million
ppl (up from 1 percent in 1971)
● Popular culture reflects an increasingly secular world, often downplaying or mocking religiously
grounded standards or right or wrong
● Laws no longer requires stores to close on Sunday
● The idea that individuals should be able to decide for themselves what is right and wrong has
gained support (secular humanism).
Notes:
•In life, religion, politics, the economy, education, the sciences and morality were not seen as
separate entities. The church was the only source of meaning and morality.
•500 years ago in Europe it was almost unthinkable NOT to believe in God – this was true among the
Europeans who founded/settled Canada.
•Historically many Churches had connections to the state government, this is no longer the case.
•Peace of Augsburg determined that European rulers could decide on an official religion for the state
and all people in it
•Exploration increases desire for wealth etc. and increase exposure to other cultures and belief
systems
•Efforts to break the absolute power of kings and emperors. Democracy – questions the idea that
kings and emperors receive their power from religion or God

21. Religion & the Modern World
All the areas of life that had been overseen by the
Church (politics, economics, science, ethics etc.) began to
develop on their own, separate from religion.
Some aspects were now considered separated from
religion (SECULAR)
These disciplines looked less and less to the
Bible/Church for direction and encourage people to find
answers for themselves.
Science ,not religion, began to provide the foundation of
truth. Today religion is one of many social systems.

22. Views on God/Divine
While there are different ways to view the universe that
are also different ways to view and understand
God/Divine:
Terms:
¡Theism
¡Monotheism
¡Polytheism
¡Agnosticism
¡Atheism
¡Antitheist
¡Deism

23. THEISM
A theist is anyone who believes in the existence of at
least one god.

24. Other views of the sacred..
If you do not believe in at least one god – like the
forms of THEISM - There are also several ways in
which people may view the sacred.