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Religion Facts & Worksheets

The term "religion" refers to a set of institutionalized concepts, rituals, and institutions that generally revolve around the belief in and worship of a superior force, such as a deity of one's own or a higher power.

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The term “religion” refers to a set of institutionalized concepts, rituals, and institutions that generally revolve around the belief in and worship of a superior force, such as a deity of one’s own or a higher power.

See the fact file below for more information on Religion, or you can download our 25-page Religion worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DEFINITION

  • Religion, according to Max Weber’s fundamental definition in Sociology, is a belief in a supernatural power that science cannot logically explain. 
  • To put it in a different perspective, the fitness of a belief for the title of religion is determined by its essential principles. Religion requires belief in a god, gods, or other supernatural creatures.
  • Social anthropologists regard religion as a component of culture in the same way as Max Weber and Emile Durkheim do.
  • A group’s members develop a set of ideas, principles, and behaviors that they call their religion. Religion is an organized framework of meanings, beliefs, and values that govern people’s place in the grand scheme of things.
  • According to philosophers, religion is the practice of a particular faith, typically associated with the existence of a divine, transcendent entity or beings. Plato defines religion as “a strong belief in a supernatural power that controls human destiny.”
  • On the other hand, it is said that religion and science coexist. Religion addresses the spiritual secrets of existence, whereas science deals with matter and the physical world around us, defining how people relate to God. 
  • It is focused on issues of the soul and morality. It doesn’t use a scientific method. Religion relies on divine inspiration and intuition, according to researchers and scientists.

HISTORY

  • The Middle and Lower Paleolithic periods contain the earliest archeological evidence that has been interpreted by some as suggesting the emergence of religious ideas. 
  • Some archaeologists have come to the conclusion that the apparent intentional burial of early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals was as early as 300,000 years ago.
  • Religion’s history can also be traced back to the Neolithic revolution, which began 11,000 years ago in the Near East but may have happened separately in a number of other parts of the world. 
  • Archeological discoveries, such as those from Egyptian temples, Hindu manuscripts, Mesopotamian clay and stone carvings, Olmec sculptures, and many more, provide proof of more intricate religious practices as humans progressed into solid communities.
  • In some theories, it is said that our forefathers had to promote mutual respect and acceptance between essentially strangers. Religion at that time, together with the conviction in a moralizing God, served as a cultural response to this societal dilemma.
  • People who were interacting, exchanging ideas, and conducting business with one another outside of their immediate areas benefited from the new religious systems’ bases of cultural communication, moral expectation, and interpersonal trust.
  • In essence, religion gives people something to hold onto, offers a framework for their lives, and frequently connects them to a community of like-minded others.

THE MAJOR RELIGIONS

HINDUISM

  • Many academics believe that Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, with origins and practices stretching back more than 4,000 years. Hinduism is the third most popular religion in the world today, after Islam and Christianity, with more than 1 billion followers.
  • People who practice Hinduism as a religion are known as Hindus. In the past, the phrase has also been used to describe inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent in terms of geography, culture, and later religion.
  • Hinduism places a high value on the concept of “atman,” or the existence of a soul. According to this school of thought, every living thing is a part of the supreme soul and has a soul of its own. 
  • The eventual objective is “moksha,” or salvation, which puts an end to the series of rebirths and makes one a permanent member of the absolute soul.

CHRISTIANITY

  • Christianity is the religion that places the greatest emphasis on the person of Jesus Christ. Faith here refers to both the act of trusting on the part of the believers as well as the substance of their beliefs. 
  • The Bible, which is a collection of numerous smaller texts written by numerous authors, is a sacred document that Christians and adherents of many other religions revere. 
  • The Holy Bible contains significant verses that describe the teachings of Jesus, the lives and teachings of significant prophets and disciples, and provide directions for how Christians should live.
  • The primary beliefs of Christianity center on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection according to Christian doctrine. Christians hold that God saved the world by sending his son Jesus, the Messiah. They declare that Jesus was crucified on the cross to atone for sins and that he rose from the dead three days later before ascending to heaven.

ISLAM

  • The word “Islam” signifies “submission to God’s will.” Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic faith based on the teachings of Muhammad and the Quran.
  • Muslims, a term used to refer to “those who have surrendered themselves” or ‘believers’ in the Divine revelation, are the people who practice Islam. In the past, becoming a Muslim required adhering to Mohammed’s teachings.
  • Islam’s core teaching is that Muhammad is God’s Messenger, and there is no other deity. The Quran, the holy book of Islam and the collection of divine revelations is one of many places where this Arabic phrase, frequently displayed prominently, appears.

JUDAISM

  • The religious, cultural, and legal traditions and civilization of the Jewish people are collectively referred to as Judaism. The Middle East’s Bronze Age is where it first emerged as a formal religion.
  • Judaism’s central belief is that there is a single, incorporeal, everlasting God who desires for all people to act in a way that is merciful and just. All persons should be treated with respect and dignity because they were made in God’s image.

OTHER MAJOR RELIGIONS

IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION

  • The promotion of moral principles in a person is one of religion’s most important effects. 
  • It provides a structured model of the entire cosmos that controls complex human behavior. Religion assists people in recognizing right and wrong, evil and good, by giving moral standards.
  • One gets a reason to live through religion. It leads illiterate people down the correct road and keeps them from being duped. Religion keeps individuals from drowning and inspires them to reflect on their own lives to improve them.
  • People feel a sense of belonging through religion. People belonging to the same religious sect can recognize one another with ease. Because one person does not constitute a religion, a person’s sense of belonging is enhanced when they are confident that there are others who share their religious beliefs.

CRITICISMS OF RELIGION

  • One of the things that motivates people to hate one another is religion. Other people’s religious views are intolerable to them. People who practice religion face discrimination and are divided into upper and lower-class categories.
  • Religion is regarded as a revered group. Thus, people are more likely to believe them because of this. This gives those who commit inhumane acts a place to hide in the cover of religion. As a result, religion protects against injustices. 

SOME MAJOR RELIGIOUS WARS

  • Many wars that have occurred in the past have religion as their main cause. The self-immolation of a Buddhist monk in Vietnam, the burning of Hindu widows in India, the Godhra Train Episode in 2002, and other dreadful incidents are still vivid in people’s memories.
  • These wars result in thousands of deaths. There are plenty of ruined families. Many women experience widowhood, and many kids experience orphanhood. For the sake of religion, there are countless injuries and fatalities. Attacks and riots of this nature are still common today.
  • The two biggest religions, Islam and Christianity, spent eight major Crusades, varying in size, strength, and degree of success between 1096 and 1291.
  • In the midst of the Holy Roman Empire, the most disastrous religious battle in European history took place. Ultimately, it took decades and resulted in a 20–40% decline in population in the German Lands. The Thirty Years’ War, a religious war at the time, featured the most heinous acts of brutality, the highest number of fatalities, and the greatest suffering among troops and civilians.

Religion Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Religion across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Religion. The term “religion” refers to a set of institutionalized concepts, rituals, and institutions that generally revolve around the belief in and worship of a superior force, such as a deity of one’s own or a higher power.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Religion Facts
  2. Religious Symbols
  3. Religious Quotes
  4. Religious Celebrations
  5. Good versus Evil
  6. Religious Response
  7. A Sign of Respect
  8. Guidance for Living
  9. Stories with Morals
  10. Government and Religion
  11. My Values

Frequently Asked Questions

What is religion?

Religion refers to a system of beliefs, practices, rituals, and values that are typically centered around the worship of a higher power or powers. It often provides explanations for the meaning and purpose of life, moral guidelines, and a framework for understanding the world.

How many major religions are there in the world?

There are several major religions in the world, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The exact number may vary depending on how one defines a “major” religion, but these five are widely recognized as some of the largest and most influential.

What is the difference between monotheism and polytheism?

Monotheism is the belief in the existence of a single, supreme deity or god. Religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are examples of monotheistic faiths. In contrast, polytheism is the belief in or worship of multiple gods or deities. Religions such as Hinduism and ancient Greek and Roman religions fall under the category of polytheism.

What is the role of religious scriptures?

Religious scriptures are sacred texts that contain teachings, stories, moral codes, and guidance for followers of a particular religion. These texts are considered authoritative and are often used for worship, study, and guidance in religious practices. Examples of religious scriptures include the Bible in Christianity, the Quran in Islam, and the Vedas in Hinduism.

How does religion influence society?

Religion has a significant impact on society in various ways. It can shape social norms, values, and ethics, providing a moral compass for individuals and communities. Religion often plays a role in shaping laws, governance systems, and cultural practices. It also provides a sense of community and belonging for its followers and can be a source of comfort, guidance, and meaning in people’s lives. However, the influence of religion on society can vary greatly depending on the specific religious beliefs, cultural context, and individual interpretations.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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