Everyone has one. Most people have never thought about theirs.
We're exploring what a worldview is and why everyone — religious or not — carries one, so you can begin to identify and describe your own.
Write down as many words, images, ideas, or questions as you can think of. Aim for at least 8.
What do you believe about these questions? Just write your honest first thoughts.
You just answered three of the biggest questions human beings have ever asked. You already have views about the origin of the universe, the meaning of death, and the nature of right and wrong.
That means you already have a worldview. You might not have known it had a name — but it does.
A person's overall way of understanding the world, their place in it, and how they should live. It includes beliefs about God (or no God), right and wrong, the meaning of life, and what happens after death.
Think of it as: the invisible glasses you look through every day. You don't usually notice them — but they shape everything you see.
Watch how the same event looks completely different through different worldview "glasses":
"God allows suffering for reasons we may not understand. We must help the victims and trust in God's plan. This is a fallen world, but heaven awaits."
"Suffering (dukkha) is part of all existence. Nothing is permanent. Our response should be compassion (karuna) for all who suffer."
"There is no divine plan — earthquakes are natural events. What matters now is the human response: science to understand, compassion to help."
"This is a test from Allah. Everything happens by God's will (qadr). Muslims must respond with patience (sabr) and charity (sadaqah)."
Same earthquake. Four completely different ways of making sense of it. That's what worldviews do — they don't change the facts, they change how you interpret them.
Include belief in God, gods, or a spiritual reality beyond the physical world. Life has a sacred purpose.
Examples: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism
Do not include belief in God or the supernatural. Meaning and morality come from human reason and experience.
Examples: Humanism, Atheism, Agnosticism, Secularism
Theist — believes in God or gods
Atheist — believes there is no God
Agnostic — says we can't know whether God exists or not
Humanist — believes humans can live good, meaningful lives without religion
Write a one-sentence definition for each from memory:
In 1989, the scholar Ninian Smart suggested that every worldview has up to seven "dimensions" — like seven sides of a diamond. Not every worldview has all seven, but most have several.
Stories and myths
Beliefs and teachings
Rules for living
Practices and worship
Feelings and experiences
Organisations and leaders
Buildings, art, symbols
Narrative: The story of Jesus — birth, death, resurrection
Doctrinal: God is a Trinity — Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Ethical: "Love your neighbour as yourself"
Ritual: Baptism, Communion, prayer
Experiential: Feeling the presence of God, being "born again"
Institutional: The Church — Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox
Material: Cathedrals, crosses, stained glass, the Bible
This isn't a joke — think carefully about each one.
Choose one of these questions and write at least 80 words:
A. An alien arrives on Earth and asks: "What do humans believe?" Explain the range of worldviews humans hold — don't just list religions, explain why there's such variety.
B. Think of a real example where two people could see the same situation completely differently because of their worldviews. Describe the situation and both perspectives.
C. A Humanist says: "I don't have a religion, so I don't have a worldview." Using what you've learned today, explain why they're wrong.
Target: 80–150 words
Without looking back at the Encounter tab, complete this in your own words:
"Religious worldviews are more complete than non-religious worldviews."
Do you agree? You must consider both sides before giving your opinion.
Step 1: Arguments that religious worldviews ARE more complete:
Step 2: Arguments that non-religious worldviews are just as complete:
Step 3: Your evaluation — what do you think, and why?
These mix everything from today. No looking back!