Recall the definition of religion, spirituality, theology, philosophy of religion.

Ask students to prepare their assignment output on the rituals and practices of Polytheism, Monotheism, and Atheism as
well as the elements of religion and spirituality.
Divide the class into 3 groups and require each group to discuss their assignment . Assign a group to report on:
I - the elements of religion
2 the worldviews on polytheism, monotheism, and atheism
3 - the elements of spirituality
Questions:
How did you find the activity?
1. Have you discussed the worldviews on Polytheism, Monotheism, and Atheism?
2. Are you able to share among your group the elements of relgion? The elements of spirituality?
3. What are some rituals and practices of polytheism, monotheism, and atheism?
ELEMENTS OF RELIGION
1. Reflects an effort to elevate your whole self to a higher dimension of existence We are only a small fragment of
our totality. We are apprised by the fact that we have a Higher SELF or an I AM Presence, (because God created us
based on His own image) who resides in planes beyond our level of consciousness, who serve us as our guardian angel,
adviser-teacher, and our benefactor.
2. A framework of transcendent beliefs belief in a divine being or power, which is greater than humankind and the
natural world. This being or power is believed to be responsible for the creation of the world, for providing a moral
framework for human life and being the ultimate destiny of a human person at the end of their mortal life. The three
Semitic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam emphasize the idea of God being revealed to humankind from beyond
the human spirit.
3. Text or scriptures (Holy Bible, Koran) The most important beliefs of a religion are contained in its sacred texts. Usually
these beliefs were in oral circulation before they were written down in the sacred texts. These sacred texts contain sacred
stories, which explain through historical or non-historical means, how people are connected to this supernatural dimension
4. Rituals Rituals and ceremonies are practical expressions of aspects of a religion. Rituals and ceremonies involve
prescribed words and actions along with the use of symbols. Together these reflect an understanding of the sacred
dimension. Thus, rituals and ceremonies help to lead to a greater understanding of the ultimate reality
5. Sacred spaces (e.g., church, temple, mosque, synagogue) place of worship to perform acts of devotion, veneration,
or religious study.
ELEMENTS OF SPIRITUALITY
1. Holistic (fully integrated view to life) holistic means full, complete, whole, all-inclusive, universal. Embraces all
aspects of life, life in its totality. Nothing is excluded.
2. quest for meaning (including the purpose of life) search for meaning of your life, embracing the purpose of life
3. quest for the sacred (beliefs about God)
4. suggests a self-reflective existence you are willing to learn more on the fundamental purpose and essence of your
existence
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION
Spirituality is personal it starts and ends with each person. Individuals become the judges of their own lives. Spirituality
involves the personal and subjective experience of ones interior world.
Religion is communal it starts when two or more people share the meaning of their experiences. Thoughts, concepts,
convictions, and practices are shared. Over time, wisdom and practices are accumulated that can nourish the soul.

To be of value, both spirituality and religion are needed.

Spirituality needs community. People have a need to make their spirituality function in more than their own separate and
independent selves. Without a community (religion), people would embrace their own meanings and remain isolated from others.
Furthermore, nothing would be passed on from generation to generation.
A religious community, on the other hand, is where healthy personal spirituality can be allowed to develop. Personal spiritualities
interact with one another and wisdom is shared.
Finally, a community needs to protect believers from false spirituality, even as spirituality needs to protect a community from a
wrong kind of religion. Without being checked by good religion, spirituality can become mere private sentiment. On the other hand,
without true spirituality, religion may provide no real nurturing of the soul. A healthy spiritual balance needs both religion and
spirituality.

Monotheism
Monotheism is the view that there is only one God. For monotheists, other supernatural beings may exist such as Satan,
angels, and demons, but there is only one God. Monotheism is found within the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The term monotheism comes from the Greek monos, which means one, and theos, which means god. Thus, monotheism
is the belief in the existence of a single god. Monotheism is typically contrasted with polytheism, which is a belief in many gods, and
atheism, which is an absence of any belief in any gods.
Rituals and Beliefs:
Share a similar view of the world and concept because they both sprang from Judaism (Islam & Christianity)
MONOTHEISTIC- believe in one GOD
Humans must enter into an interpersonal relationship with God
Morality is based on learning the will of God, understanding and living it out individually and as a community
Time is viewed as linear, from beginning to end
The Bible (Christianity), Torah (Judaism) or Koran (Islam) are the central books studied and lived by.
The Trinity
Trinitarian Monotheism is the view that there is only one God, but within this one God are three distinct, yet equal persons
-- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All Christian religions are proponents of Trinitarian Monotheism, with
some variations on specifics.
Polytheism
The term polytheism is based on the Greek roots poly, which means many, and theos, which means god. Thus, the term is
used where several gods are acknowledged and/or worshipped. Throughout the course of human history, polytheistic religions of
one sort or another have been the dominant majority.
Polytheism is the view that there are many gods. Polytheism is an ancient view found in some of the earliest religions and
tribes. Abraham lived in a culture in which polytheism thrived. The ancient Egyptian religion held to multiple gods as did many of the
tribes of Africa. Ancient Greek mythology is known for its pantheon of gods. Although the many thousands of Hindu gods are often
viewed as manifestations of the one Brahman, Hinduism is rightly considered a polytheistic religion.
Polytheism is the belief that there are many gods. Breaking the word down, poly comes from the Greek word for many,
and theism from the Greek word for God. Polytheism has perhaps been the dominant theistic view in human history. The best-
known example of polytheism in ancient times is Greek/Roman mythology (Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite, Poseidon, etc.). The clearest
modern example of polytheism is Hinduism, which has over 300 million gods. Although Hinduism is, in essence, pantheistic, it does
hold to beliefs in many gods. It is interesting to note that even in polytheistic religions, one god usually reigns supreme over the
other gods, e.g., Zeus in Greek/Roman mythology and Brahman in Hinduism.
Rituals and Beliefs:
Main concern is to live a good, happier, better life right here and now
Creation contains God within it. All elements of creation from plants to animals have an animated spirit
Meditation- is central to these faiths
Life is balanced
Holy books are not central to the belief and practice
Time is viewed in cycles.
There is a belief in reincarnation or rebirth
Things can be made better or worse through karma
Example: Hinduism
The 'Puja' or Worship
Puja (worship) of the gods consists of a range of ritual offerings and prayers typically performed either daily or on special days
before an image of the deity, which may be in the form of a person or a symbol of the sacred presence. In its more developed
forms, puja consists of a series of ritual stages beginning with personal purification and invocation of the god, followed by offerings
of flowers, food, or other objects such as clothing, accompanied by fervent prayers.
Pregnancy, Birth, Infancy
Ceremonies may be performed during pregnancy to ensure the health of the mother and growing child. The father may
part the hair of the mother three times upward from the front to the back, to assure the ripening of the embryo. Charms
may serve to ward off the evil eye and witches or demons.
At birth, before the umbilical cord is severed, the father may touch the baby's lips with a gold spoon or ring dipped in
honey, curds, and ghee. The word vak (speech) is whispered three times into the right ear, and mantras are chanted to
ensure a long life.
A number of rituals for the infant include the first visit outside to a temple, the first feeding with solid food (usually cooked
rice), an ear-piercing ceremony, and the first haircut (shaving the head) that often occurs at a temple or during a festival
when the hair is offered to a deity.
Atheism
Atheism is the view that there is no God. Thus, atheists do not believe in God, or any supernatural metaphysical beings.
Atheism is the denial of the existence of a god or gods and is sometimes associated with worldviews as materialism or naturalism.
Generally speaking, atheists have argued for atheism because of the lack of evidence and the problem of evil. There have also
been atheists that have offered non-evidential arguments for atheism such as Sigmund Freud and Karl Marx.
Rituals and Practices
Atheism has no holidays.
Darwin Day is an unofficial celebration of Charles Darwin's birthday, February 12. It is supported by various atheist, irreligious,
antichristian, and evolutionist groups and organizations as well as schools and biology programs. He is best known for popularizing
the idea of evolution by natural selection presented in his book "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the
Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life."

Questions:
1. In what worldview do you belong?
2. Can you identify which element of spirituality describe yours?

Design a role play that will show

1.the spirituality of polytheism, monotheism, and atheism
2. the elements of religion, and
3.the elements of spirituality

Assignment:
1. What are the characteristics of a religious person?
2. How can you identify the spirituality of a person?
3.
Conclusion:
Have you heard the idea First impression is lasting? Does your first impression to a given person really distinguish
his/her spirituality?