2.5.1 RELIGIONS
Religion is defined academically by its components: a prophet, theology, scriptures, doctrines, rites
& rituals, and holidays. Denominations within a religion are due to differences in fundamental doctrines whereas sects
are due to differences in minor doctrines. The main organized religions in the world today are: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism,
Nasraniyyat, Confucianism, Judaism, Shintoism, and Taoism.
2.5.2 BELIEF SYSTEMS
The main belief systems in the world are: atheism, monotheism, dualism, polytheism, henotheism, pantheism,
and animism. Budhism is basically atheistic. Islam and Judaism are monotheistic. Christianity has qualified monotheism in
its concept of trinity. Zoroastrianism is dualistic. Hinduism has elements of atheism, monotheism, polytheism, henotheism
and pantheism. Monism is found among the Sikhs.
2.5.3 PHILOSOPHIES
The main philosophies are Confucianism and Daoism. Confucianism emphasizes formalism, good conduct and moral judgment. Doism opposes formalism and advocates harmony with nature being intertwined with the
concepts of ying and yang that emphasize balance and harmony. Animism is found in many pre-historic tribes.
2.5.4 SECULARISM
Ancient Greeks and Romans were polytheists worshipping several gods. As
the Christian Church gained more influence and power in Europe many Greco-roman religious ideas
and cultural practices were suppressed sometimes violently. This extended to suppression of scientific knowledge. When the
Church became too oppressive, Europeans rebelled against it and sought to re-establish their Greco-roman heritage. The European
renaissance was in essence a return to ancient European culture and religion. The secular ideology that was unleashed by the
renaissance is not separation of religion from public life but replacement of Christianity by the informal religion and culture
of ancient Greece and Rome. Secularism is also a form of religion. The European ages of exploration and expansion starting in the 16th
century led to spread of the germs of secularism in other parts of the world.
2.5.5 MODERNISM AND POST MODERNISM
Modernist and post modernist philosophies are an extension of European secularism
in the 20th and 21st centuries.
