MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION

TOPIC: THE NATURE AND ROLE OF RELIGION IN SOCIETY

Objective: What is religion?

Religion is not an easy term to define. It is a wide term that encompasses a wide range of phenomena and
therefore it may be impossible to include features which all religions have in common.

Religion is the way people perceive life and express their understanding of the purpose of life. Religion
helps people to have a clear understanding of life and to live it accordingly. It gives people guidelines for
their daily activities.

Several definitions have been given to define religion but none has fully defined it.

Theological definition

Religion is the belief in the supernatural power. This entails the belief in someone who is greater than
human kind who influences their lives. The supernatural power is believed to be in control of everything
in the universe. Isaac Barrow defines religion as a set of beliefs involving a supernatural being who has
influence over people’s lives and who has provided people with a set of rules which they must follow.

Sociological definition

Karl Max defines religion as the opium of the people. This means that religion makes people to accept the
situation that they find themselves in.

Moral definition

Religion is the recognition of all our duties as divine commands. This means that there is a moral law
which believers ought to obey.

Philosophical definition

According to Frederick Ferre, “religion is a way of valuing that is most comprehensively and intensively
experienced.”

Psychological definition

Batson, Schoenrade & Ventis defines religion as, “what a person does to answer the basic existential
questions of life. Questions such as; Why am I here? What does life mean in general? What does my
particular life amount to? What happens when I die?

1
Objective: Impact of religion in society

Religion can have both positive and negative impact in society.

Positive impact of religion in society.

 Religion provides people with moral values by which to live. It offers instruction guidelines
and requirements for people’s daily activities. Different religions have their teachings that guide
adherents in their daily lives. It provides a certain pattern for human behavior, for example in
Christianity, “Thou shall not kill” this teaching prohibits manslaughter, murder, euthanasia,
abortion. In Islam gambling; the use of drugs and alcohol, sex outside marriage are forbidden. In
Hinduism one has to be honest at all times; show respect for life (practice ahimsa – nonviolence).
In African Traditional Religion in Botswana, respect for the elderly; respect for parents, rulers;
self-respect; respect for life, all these are highly emphasized. These are contained in various
proverbs such as “ngwana yo o tlhogo tona o sira rraagwe”, “susu ilela suswana….” Religion
therefore helps people to learn to lead life as a better person from day to day. Religion can
reinforce social norms and values and promote social solidarity. If right morals are imparted to
people the society and the world would be a safer place to live in. Religion encourages people to
live morally upright lives and curb many social ills. For example, five precepts in Buddhism,
laws of Manu in Hinduism, Sharia law in Islam, Ten Commandments in Christianity.

 Religion provides people with spiritual satisfaction; in many religions of the world it is
believed that people have the physical and spiritual parts. Religion caters for both physical and
spiritual needs of people. To feed the spiritual needs of people, religion offers prayers, rituals,
ceremonies, sacrifices and offerings, dedications, sharing, devotion and trust. These are channels
for contact between people and the spiritual world or between God and People. Spiritual hunger
for peace, joy, comfort, security, hope and love can only be satisfied by religion. Christians meet
in the church to pray, share, worship. Muslims meet in the mosque for purposes of praying,
almsgiving, sharing as well. Religion nourishes the spiritual needs of people through prayers,
rituals, sacrifices, offerings, dedication, devotion and trust. This spiritual satisfaction can lead to
peace, joy, comfort, security, hope, love and total bliss.

 Religion helps people to cope better with personal tragedy and hardships that people go
through in life. It restores hope in times of troubles, sorrow and difficulty. For example, HIV
positive people are given hope for better life in heaven, nirvana, moksha and enlightenment. It
gives people courage to deal with life challenging issues so that they are able to appreciate that
they are not alone. Religion acts as a console unit to raise one’s spirit and help people to get
through their difficulties.
 Religion promotes social harmony in society by encouraging civilized and friendly behavior
among people of the same and different religions. It teaches moral values such as tolerance,
respect and dignity. Some religions encourage followers to develop tolerance and appreciate that
they have been created by the same Supreme Being who loves them and would want them to help
one another. This is emphasized by the religious teachings and beliefs of the different religions.
Sikhism teaches about equality for all and this encourages its members to treat each other with
respect. The sitting on the floor by all during worship reflects equality.
2
  Religion brings people together. It promotes unity and integration of people, as people share
many aspects of religion with others. For example, during worship, festivals and pilgrimages
followers come together and integrate.
 Religion provides a sense of belonging. Through religion many people form an identity within
their society. Through worship, festivals and rituals religious people feel part of a religious
community. Through Sangha in Buddhism, Ummah in Islam and fellowship in Christianity,
followers feel that they belong to a community of believers. Some religious people have code of
dress, for example the Muslims have to dress in a way that is dignified and modest. Sikh men
wear a turban, some Christians have a code of dress that identifies them, for example, UCCSA
women wear black skirts, white blouses and white hats. Religion acts as a second family to
members. Religion gives followers a sense of security in life. It provides an essential security and
a sense of certainty in an uncertain world. It relieves anxiety in people. Religious followers know
what their place is in that religion and therefore feel secure and protected.
 Religion helps people to reach out to those in need. It helps them to reflect on the goodness of
the world and urge to offer kindness to those who need it. People are given basic needs e.g.
almsgiving in Islam; Christian churches donate to the poor.

Negative impact of religion in society

Sometimes religion can be divisive and disruptive force in society. Religion can count for internal
divisions within a community, over the question of worship sometimes can lead to open conflicts eg the
Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.

 People are fighting in the name of religion which leads to loss of life, destruction of homes
and refugee problems. For example, in Nigeria a group of Muslims, Bokoharam are fighting
Christians over the issue of western culture, they believe that Christianity has brought western
culture and that western culture is evil. They are against education of girls.

 It can lead to fanaticism which makes people intolerant, sometimes people become obsessed
with the teachings of their religion that do not tolerate the teachings of other religions. This may
result in prejudice, persecution and wars e.g. Crusades in Christianity and jihad in Islam.

 Religion can spearhead resistance to change. Some religions or churches today discourage
their followers from using modern medicine, e.g. discouraging people to take medication such as
ARVs, to take their children for immunization, to use contraceptive methods which are a
hindrance for the government to reduce over population and poverty.

 Religion can strip people off their rights e.g. in some religions women are not allowed to vote;
they are not allowed to take part in decision making, in some cases women are treated second
after men, some cannot become religious leaders, in some cases women are not allowed to take
part in politics or public related activities. In some religions women are not allowed to go out
alone in public places.

3
 Religion can make people stereotyped and obey blindly, when a religious leader gives an
instruction and the followers do not question. In some churches followers are told that the more
they give the more the blessings and they tend to give up property and money to the church or
religious leaders and this may lead to poverty. Religion has hindered scientific development and
success. Medical science has faced a lot of attacks from religious fanatics because they base their
arguments in morality and righteousness.

 Religion can be used as an instrument of oppression. Religion tends to discourage people from
making any attempt to change their social position by justifying the existing social structure. In
this case it dissuades any attempt ideas to alter change, it keeps people in their place, e.g., the
karma (the actions of life today are the results of actions in their previous life. everything a
person does now, will shape their future. doing bad or cruel things, one builds a bad karma for
himself or herself and suffer the consequences. The Hindus believe that all suffering results from
people’s actions and one will suffer without question (samsara- cycle of birth, death and rebirth).
The rich and the wealthy justify their position and those of the oppressed by adopting religious
beliefs (the caste system of India). In Africa, some kings rule by divine right. Offending the king
means offending the ancestors (gods of the tribe) one is liable for punishment. Religion is
therefore used to make people loyal to the king and the tribal community. `

4
TOPIC 2: DIMENSIONS OF RELIGION

Objective: What are Oriental religions?

Oriental religions are those religions that originate in countries east of the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian
region. All these religions practice meditation which gives people an opportunity to think deeply and
concentrate on prayer and reflect on their lives and be able to gain sense of liberation and peace. Some of
them are:

 Hinduism

 Buddhism

 Sikhism

 Shintoism

What are Judeo- Christian religions?

Judeo – Christian religions are those religions that originate in the Middle East. They are also known
as the Abrahamic religions because of Abraham as the forefather of the Jews from which the religion
Judaism came from and the other religions are offshoots of Judaism. Judaism is therefore the mother of
these religions. All these religions are monotheistic. They are:

 Judaism

 Christianity

 Islam

 Baha’i faith

Objective: Dimensions of religion as stated by Ninian Smart.

Dimensions are components or elements that make up a religion. There are seven dimensions of
religion according to Ninian Smart which are:

1. Philosophical/ doctrinal

2. Practical/ritual

3. Mythical/ narrative

4. Ethical/legal

5. Social/institutional

6. Experiential/emotional
5
7. Material

Philosophical/doctrinal dimension

These are a set of beliefs and teachings in a religion. It is what people believe and teach. The
teachings of a religion come from the beliefs. Religious beliefs help to explain how and what people
think about the world and their place in it. For example, the belief in one God.

Practical / ritual dimension

A series of activities that are performed in a religion to express religious beliefs. It deals with
people’s outward behavior. For example, pilgrimage, fasting

Mythical/ narrative dimension

This is where stories are told to explain mysteries of life which are beyond human understanding. For
example, the origin of death; the creation of the universe.

Ethical/ legal dimension

These are the rules, regulations, laws, customs and codes of conduct of a religion that set standard of
behavior. They govern and guide followers on how they should behave towards one another and the
enviroment. For example, the ten commandments (do not commit adultery)

Social/ institutional dimension

How followers of a religion interact and relate with one another. It is the idea of people coming
together as a group for a purpose. This creates a sense of belonging and identity. For example, a
church of Christ

Experiential/ emotional dimension

Religious experiences that adherents of a religion have about the supernatural world or power. Most
of the time these experiences bring about change in a person’s life. Experiences may come in
revelations, visions and dreams. For example, Guru Nanak’s experience of God after disappearing in
the river, Muhammad’s visions.

Material

Physical or tangible things or objects in a religion. For example, places of worship, holy books
religious artifacts,

6
Objective: Compare the philosophical dimension of Oriental and Judeo- Christian religions as stated
by Ninian Smart

This is a set beliefs and teachings in a religion.

All the Judeo- Christian religions are monotheistic that is they believe in one God. The Oriental religions
on the other hand have some differences on the issue of the Supreme Being. Sikhs are monotheistic,
Hindus are polytheistic that is they believe in many gods while Buddhism is an atheistic religion, they do
not believe in a Supreme Being but rather in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) who is their
founder.

All the Judeo- Christian religions believe in life after death that is death is not the end but entry into a new
life – spiritual life. All the Oriental religions on the other hand believe the concept of samsara which is
the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. Hindus believe that their actions (karma) affect what happens to
their soul when it is reborn. If one lives a bad life, one’s next life will be a step down. Hindus hope that
that their souls will eventually become pure and therefore break from the cycle of samsara this is called
moksha where their soul will be reunited with that of Brahman. Sikhs believe that the cycle of samsara
continues until one’s soul becomes close enough to God to be reunited with God forever. Buddhists on
the other hand do not believe that a person has a soul unlike in Hinduism and Sikhism. They believe that
the cycle of samsara continues until a person reaches enlightenment. At this point the person will be freed
from the cycle and this is called nirvana.

Objective: Compare the ritual/practical dimension of Oriental and Judeo- Christian religions as stated
by Ninian Smart

This deals with religious activities that are done in a religion. The doctrines of the religions are put into
practice. Both Judeo- Christian religions and Oriental religions have religious activities that they perform.

Some of the religious activities run across all the religions. For example, pilgrimage, festivals.

All the Judeo- Christian religions and Oriental religions go for pilgrimage and they have festivals.

All the Judeo- Christian religions have a practice of fasting while in Oriental religions only Hindus fast.

In Judeo- Christian religions only Christianity has a ritual where one becomes a full member of the
Christian church. Some churches use baptism while others use confirmation ceremony to affirm one’s
membership. All the Oriental religions have rituals where they affirm people’s membership into the
religion. One must go through certain rituals in order to become a full member of the religion. For
example:

Religion Ritual

Hinduism Sacred thread ceremony ( Upanayana)

Buddhism Coming of age

Sikhism Initiation into the khalsa

7
In Hinduism boys who belong to the three higher castes go through the sacred thread ceremony. This is
the time when a boy becomes a full member of the religion. He is given a sacred thread which he wears
for the rest of his life. The thread is changed during certain festivals. The boy goes through some lessons
or training in preparation for the ceremony.

In Buddhism, parents send their sons to the monastery to live with the monks to receive education on
religious matters. After some months of training they make promises to follow the teachings of the
Buddha.

In Sikhism, the Sikhs who are ready to make a full and lifelong commitment to the Sikh faith go through
the Amrit Sanskar ceremony. The ceremony is concluded by the Panj piare – the five well respected
members of the Khalsa). The initiates stand before the Panj piare and promise to follow the principles of
the Sikh religion at all times.

All the Judeo- Christian religions bury the dead while in Oriental religions they cremate the dead except
in Buddhism where they may have a choice of cremation or burial.

All the Oriental religions practice meditation where they control their minds so that they can concentrate
during worship. While in the Judeo- Christian religions, meditation is not emphasized except in Baha’i
faith where they meditate during the nineteen days of fasting.

Objective: Compare the social dimension of Oriental and Judeo- Christian religions as stated by
Ninian Smart

This refers to a group of people who have a common goal and therefore interact and relate with one
another.

Both Judeo Christian religions and Oriental religions have religious communities which bring them
together and give them a sense of belonging. In all these religions adherents may worship as individuals
or in groups. The religious communities unite the adherents of their respective religions. The following
are religious communities of the Judeo- Christian religions and Oriental religions:

Objective: Compare the material dimension of Oriental and Judeo- Christian religions as stated by
Ninian Smart

These are tangible objects in religions

Both Judeo- Christian religions and Oriental religions have tangible objects that they use for different
purposes such as worship. In Judeo- Christian religions, Baha’i faith has less tangible objects compared to
Christianity and Islam.

8
Objective: Compare the ethical/legal dimensions of Oriental and Judeo- Christian religions as stated
by Ninian Smart

These are rules of conduct that govern the behaviour of the adherents.

Both Judeo Christian religions (Christians, Islam and Baha’i faith) and the Oriental religions (Hinduism,
Buddhism, and Sikhism) have the rules of conduct that govern the behaviour of their respective followers.
All religions Judeo- Christian and Oriental religions emphasise on the following rules:

 No stealing No killing No sex before marriage No adultery

 No intoxicants To be honest To be compassionate

Specific religions have the ethical codes which are peculiar to them for example Christians follow the
ten commandments (e.g. “Thou shall not kill”), Muslims the Shariah law (e.g. “to drinking of
alcohol”), Buddhists five precepts (e.g. Do not indulge in wrong speech”.

However, the oriental religions have an ethical code which is peculiar to them. The concept of Ahimsa –
which is non-violence to all living things. They have a great respect for all forms of life hence some of
them are vegetarians. They do not kill animals for meat.

Objective: Compare the mythical dimension of Oriental and Judeo- Christian religions as stated by
Ninian Smart

This deals with myths in a religion. Myths are stories which explain mysteries of life.

Both Judeo- Christian religions and Oriental religions have stories of how the universe and people came
into being. Judeo- Christian religions emphasize on the Supreme Being as the creator of the universe and
human beings. Baha’i faith differs a little bit with other Judeo- Christian religions on creation of human
beings. They accommodate the scientific view of creation because they believe that science and religion
complement each other. They say that God created human beings through evolution in physical
appearance and form the different stages.

Oriental religions on the other hand have stories which differ according to the three religions For
example, Hindu creation is done by one of the Hindu trimuti (three gods), Brahma. While in Buddhism
creation is done by a strong force called Panku. Sikhism just like the Judeo- Christian emphasize on the
Supreme Being as the creator of everything.

Objective: Compare the experiential/emotional dimensions of Oriental and Judeo- Christian religions
as stated by Ninian Smart

This is the inner experiences of the supernatural being or power which may influence and change
people’s lives.

In all the Judeo- Christian religions people have a personal encounter with God in different ways such as
in dreams and visions.

9
In Christianity Saul who was later known as Paul, had a personal encounter with Jesus. He became a
changed person. He became the greatest apostle of Jesus who preached and taught the word of God and
established Christian congregations in different places.

In Islam, Prophet Muhammad had an encounter with Allah through Angel Gabriel. While he was
meditating at Mount Hira he had a vision, angel Gabriel appeared to him and asked him to recite. The
words that Muhammad heard in the vision were later written down and they made up the Quran the holy
book of Islam.

In Baha’i Faith, Bahaullah experienced the presence of God while he was in prison. He became aware
that he was the promised messenger of God. It is said that the Holy Spirit appeared to him and told him to
deliver people from bondage.

On the other hand, the oriental religions differ from the Judeo Christian religions with their experiences
except Sikhism which have the same personal encounter with God like in Christianity, Islam and Baha’i
faith.

In Sikhism, Guru Nanak, their founder had a personal encounter with God when he was 30 years old.
While bathing in a river he disappeared and people thought that he has drowned. He appeared after 3 days
and told people that he was with God who gave him the message to preach to the people.

In Hinduism followers experience the presence of the deities through prayer, meditation and worship.
They use images of the deities when they worship, pray or meditate.

Buddhists have an experience of something unusual when they reach enlightenment. This is when they
understand the truth about life and the way to get out of suffering.

10
Objective: Identify common features within African Traditional Religion in Botswana (ATR in
Botswana) and Hinduism

- Both religions emphasis on having acceptable values and behaviour and living well
with other people e.g. botho in A.T.R in Botswana and discipline in Hinduism
- Both religions emphasise on an extended family where family members live together or
are connected as one big family and the grandfather is the head of this big family. In
these extended families’ old members of the family are taken care of e.g. grandmothers
and grandfathers
- In both these religions the society is patriarchal, where males are heads of the families
and they take care of family members.
- Both religions practice arranged marriages, where parents choose marriage partners for
their children
- Both religions do not have a founder or prophet and no specific time when they started
- Both religions are traditional or cultural religions. They came about as people lived
their lives. In both religions adherents are members by birth, that is one has to be born
within that society to follow that religion
- In both religions roles of men and women (boys and girls) are clearly defined. Males
have their duties and females have their own.
- Both religions offer sacrifices and offerings to appease their gods, gods and goddesses
in Hinduism and ancestors in ATR in Botswana.
- Both religions pay bride price during marriage
- Both religions practice initiation schools
- Both religions have birth rituals, such as seclusion, shaving, outdooring, naming etc.

Objective: Examine common features within A.T.R in Botswana and Hinduism

- Both religions believe in one Supreme Spirit - Modimo in ATR in Botswana and
Brahman in Hinduism. They both have channels which they use to communicate with
their Supreme Spirits. Badimo(ancestors) in ATR in Botswana, Badimo are dead people
who are believed to be living in a spiritual world where they are closer to Modimo and
they take people’s requests to Modimo since they speak both spiritual language and then
language of the living. Gods and goddesses are representatives of Brahman they are
believed to represent a tiny part of Brahman.
- Both religions have offerings and sacrifices; in ATR in Botswana they offer food,
fruits, vegetables and animals to their ancestors to appease them while in Hinduism they
offer food, fruits, vegetables to appease their gods and goddesses. Hindus do not offer
animals as they practice ahimsa (non- violence).
- There is payment of bride price in both religions, in ATR in Botswana it is called
bogadi while in Hinduism it is called dowry. In Hinduism women are the ones who pay
dowry while in A.T.R in Botswana bogadi is paid by men.
- There is initiation in both religions, in ATR in Botswana initiation is for both boys and
girls called bojale le bogwera. During bojale le bogwera boys and girls are taught about
their culture and how to become good wives, husbands and good mothers and fathers and
11
 responsible elders in the community. During bogwera boys are circumcised as a symbol
that they have graduated from childhood, their heads are shaved which symbolizes a new
stage of life and they are also given a regiment name which identifies them. In Hinduism,
initiation is for boys only who belong to the higher castes and it is called Upanayana or
The Sacred Thread ceremony, the boy is taught religious matters by a guru who later
gives him a sacred thread which he has to wear for the rest of his life as a symbol that he
has gone through the religious education.
- Both religions practice confinement/seclusion. In ATR in Botswana the mother and the
baby stay in seclusion for about six months. Visitors are not allowed to visit the mother
and her baby, only the person who takes care of the mother and the baby is allowed to
enter. In Hinduism the mother and baby stay in seclusion for ten days with the midwife
who takes care of them, they will be segregated from the whole family to avoid
possibility of infection because the baby and the mother are still vulnerable and special
prayers are said to protect the baby.
- Naming ceremony – both religions have naming ceremony, in ATR in Botswana a baby
is given a name after confinement which usually takes six months. This is done during
outdooring ceremony (mantsho a ngwana). Names which are given usually reflect events
which took place at the time of birth, for example if a child is born during rainy season he
or she will be called Motlalepula or Rapula depending on the gender. Sometimes babies
are given names of their dead family members or relatives as a way of remembering or
honouring them. In Hinduism babies are given names on the twelve day after birth.
Choosing a right name for the baby is very important as it is believed that a name brings
good luck throughout the baby s life. A baby’s name is chosen using the baby’s
horoscope.
- Shaving of the baby’s head
In ATR in Botswana after the umbilical cord (khujwana) has healed and fallen off the
baby’s hair is cut usually this takes 3 to 7 days. The hair is mixed with the khujwana, and
the mixture is buried where no one would see it, this is done to protect the baby from
witchcraft. In Hinduism the baby’s head is shaved when he or she is one-year-old, it is
believed that shaving removes bad karma from the previous life. The baby’s hair will be
offered to God.
- Outdooring (mantsho a ngwana in ATR in Botswana /child’s first outing in
Hinduism)
ATR in Botswana the baby is shown to family members and other community members
for the first time at the end of seclusion period which usually takes six months. On the
day, the baby is taken out of the hut in the early morning. This marks the end of seclusion
and the mother can now participate in the daily duties and household chores. In Hinduism
at four months the baby is formally taken out to be
seen by the community. The baby will also be taken to the temple to receive the blessing
of long life, health and prosperity. He or she will be shown his or her surroundings
including the sun in the morning and the moon at night.

Objective: Discuss the features which make Buddhism and Baha’i faith different from other religions

Buddhism
12
 Buddhists do not believe in a Supreme Being but rather in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.
These teachings are:
 The four noble truths –
 all life is suffering
 Suffering is caused by desire, greed
 suffering can be stopped if desire and greed can be stopped
 the way to stop selfishness is to follow the noble eightfold path – right
view point
- right speech
- right living
- right effort
- right awareness
- right concentration
- right view point right
- right thought

Buddhists do not believe that a person has a soul. They say that the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth
(samsara) continues until a person reaches enlightenment. At this stage a person is freed from the cycle of
samsara. This is called nirvana.

Buddhists believe in self-perfection where one works hard to achieve enlightenment through following
the teachings of Buddha and meditation rather than having dependence on an outside force.

Baha’i faith

Baha’is believe in the three oneness’s:

 oneness of God
 oneness of religion which has been taught to humanity by many messengers of God at different
times
 oneness of humanity, human beings are the same except for the skin colour

Baha’is believe that people must work hard to eliminate extreme poverty

Baha’is believe in an individual investigation of the truth

Baha’is believe that science and religion complement each other

TOPIC 3: ORIGINS OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS

Objective: Different religions found in Botswana

 African Traditional Religion in Botswana (ATR in Botswana)

 Christianity
 Islam
 Baha’i faith
 Hinduism
13
  Buddhism
 Sikhism

RELIGION FOUNDERS PLACE OF SYMBOL PLCAE OF HOLY SUPREME

ORIGIN WORSHIP BOOK BEING

ATR in - Botswana - Hills, - Modimo

Botswana shrines,
trees, caves

Christianity Jesus Christ Jerusalem Cross Church Bible God

Islam Muhammad Mecca Crescent Mosque Quran Allah

moon & star

Baha’i faith Bahaullah Tehran- Iran Nine pointed Baha’i Kitab-Agdas God
star centre & Tablets of
temples Bahaullah

Hinduism - India Lotus flower Mandir Vedas & Brahman

Mahabharata

Buddhism Siddharta Nepal - Eight Temple Pali Canon -

Gautama India spoked & Tripitaka
wheel

Sikhism Guru Nanak Punjab Khanda Gurdwara Guru Granth Waheguru

region- India Sahib

Objective: Explore socio- economic and political factors that led to the origins of Christianity, Baha’i
faith, Sikhism and Islam

1. Christianity

Political factors that led to the origin of Christianity

 When Jesus came, a Messiah was already predicted and people were expecting a political leader
who was to set them free from the Roman rule

14
 Jesus did not fulfill people’s expectations of a political leader because he associated with
everyone including those who were marginalized such as women, tax collectors, lepers, the sick
and the poor.
 People then rejected him and those who accepted him followed him and this led to the origin of
Christianity
 Jesus came into conflict with Jewish religious leaders because he condemned the Jewish
teachings and traditions. For example he condemned the Sabbath law and the exploitation of the
poor by the rich.
 Jesus was a threat to the leadership that was there because he had a great following especially the
poor, women, tax collectors and the sick. They followed him because he treated them equal and
with respect, he healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry, forgave sinners and accepted
everyone even tax collectors and lepers who were regarded as outcasts.
 Those who did not like his teachings plotted to kill him and they accused him of claiming to be
God. They convinced Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Palestine who gave in to what they
wanted and Jesus was killed.
 Jesus resurrected after three days and he gave his disciples the Holy Spirit before he ascended to
heaven. The Holy Spirit gave the disciples the courage to preach the good news and Christianity
spread to many people.

Socio- economic factors that led to the origin of Christianity

 Jesus showed concern for those who were marginalized like the poor, women, tax
collectors and the lepers. He accepted them and visited them.
 Jesus showed great for the poor who were made to suffer by those in authority.
There were made to pay heavy taxes and workers were oppressed by their
masters and some people worked as slaves. He condemned these act of
oppression. He told the oppressors that they were not part of God’s kingdom. He
taught that the kingdom of God is open to all open people even the tax collectors,
the poor, prostitutes and sinners. He said that only faith can lead someone to the
kingdom of God.
 Jesus showed concern for women who were discriminated; he accepted them for
example the adulterous woman, woman who was a sinner, Mary and Martha.

2. Islam

Political factors that led to the origin of Islam

 When Muhammad was 40 years an angel Gabriel appeared to him while he was
meditating. Angel Gabriel told Muhammad to recite in the name of the Lord.
 When Muhammad told people about his experience, they did not believe him. He told
them they must worship only one God Allah.
 They rejected and persecuted him and he fled to Medina because of the strong opposition
he faced in Mecca

15
  People of Medina accepted him and his teachings and he later went back to Mecca where
he fought with people of Mecca with the help of people from Medina.
 He succeeded in his mission and he destroyed the idols that were worshipped at the Kaba
and he turned the Kaba into a sacred place for Muslims where only Allah will be
worshipped. This led to the origin of Islam. People of Mecca were using the Kaba as a
place of trading, worshipping of idols. There was a lot of violence as people were
fighting to control the kaba.

Socio- economic factors that led to the origin of Islam

People of Mecca were involved in immoral acts such as:

 Gambling
 Violence
 Ill-treatment of the poor
 Oppression of women and girls
 Idol worship
 Alcohol abuse
 Prostitution
Muhammad was concerned about these immoral acts and he liked to go to the desert to think and
meditate. One-day angel Gabriel appeared to him and he told him to preach the oneness of Allah.

3. Baha’i faith
Political factors that led to the origin of Baha’i faith

 Bahaullah was a member of the Babi movement which was founded in 1844 by Siyyid
Ali Muhammad who was given the title Bab
 The Bab announced that a chosen messenger of God is coming who will lead human kind
to a peaceful era. The Bab was arrested and executed by the government. They felt
threatened by the Babi movement. He was teaching people about the coming of a new
society which will be characterized by high moral standards. The government and
religious leaders saw his message as threatening their positions.
 After the Bab’s execution Bahaullah and other followers of the Babi movement were
arrested. The government and religious leaders wanted them to be sentenced to death.
 Bahaullah was not killed because of his charity work and high social position. He was
put in a dungeon in Tehran called the Black pit.
 While in the black pit he claimed God had revealed that he was his chosen messenger
who was foretold by the Bab.
 After four months he was released from the pit and was kept in different prisons. He was
also exiled to many places such as Baghdad, Constantinople, Drianople and Akka, he
continued to preach about Baha’i faith.
 While in prison he wrote several books which led to origin of Baha’i faith. These books
became the most holy books of Baha’i faith

16
  He died in Akka in 1892 at the age 75 and he left his son Abdul Baha as the Baha’i
community leader to interpret his writing
Socio- economic factors that led to the origin of Bahai faith

 Bahaullah was concerned with the prejudices in his society and he wanted to
eliminate them
 He wanted to establish world peace by:
 achieving equality of men and women
 abolishing extreme wealth and poverty
 having a common world language
 he advocated for high moral standards in society
 he opposed religious oppression which was imposed on people in Iran

4. Sikhism

Political factors that led to origin of Sikhism

 Hinduism was a traditional religion; which means Hinduism was part of the government.
Guru Nanak condemned some of the practices such as caste system. This means that he
was challenging system and therefore he was a threat to Hinduism religion and the
government.
 Guru Nanak did not agree with Islam which means he challenged the Islam religion and
there was tension between him and Muslims

Socio- economic factors that led to the origin of Sikhism

 Guru Nanak was against and he condemned the Hindu caste system which divided people
according to classes. The groups were not allowed to mix and to intermarry. He fought to
break this division. He taught equality of all people before God and that all people belong
to God.
 He condemned the issue of untouchables who were made to do dirty jobs. He preached
equality of all people
 He condemned practices that reflected inequality in society such as:
 Sati – where a women are expected to throw themselves in the funeral pyre
of their husbands
 Killing of girl children to avoid paying dowry
 Payment of dowry by families of girl children

Objective: Discuss reasons for the proliferation of religions in Botswana

 Freedom of worship – has enabled people to join new religions easily.

 Religious tolerance - where people respect and accept other people of different religions has
helped religions to spread rapidly because some became interested in these religions
 Political stability has enabled religions to spread rapidly in Botswana because there is peace and
harmony. Religions found it easy to come to a place where there is no conflicts and wars
17
 Free interaction of people in schools, work places and other public places have made it easy for
people to spread their religions to others easily
 Easy access to other places in terms of good infrastructure such as roads has enabled religions to
spread rapidly to many parts of Botswana
 Religious works and deeds in the society such as developments( building of schools, hospitals,
businesses) and charity work has enabled people to have interest in these religions hence they join
them thus helping the rapid spread of the religions
 Teachings of religions attracted some people and they joined in large numbers and this helped in
the spread of religions
 Life styles of adherents of religions attracted some people to join these religions hence the spread
of the religions
 Constitution of Botswana is accommodative, laws are flexible and this has helped religions to be
well established in Botswana and to spread easily. It is also easy for religions to register and be
given an operating license

18