Also ideology can occasionally overlap with worldview and...

Also ideology can occasionally overlap with worldview and include some of the latter’s meanings. b. Divine and Materialistic Worldviews Throughout differing human societies, miscellaneous worldviews have existed and exist. They can be divided into the ‘divine’ and the ‘materialistic’. A divine worldview is based upon the metaphysical reality, whereas a materialistic worldview is not.

In the past, adherents to the materialistic worldview were known as atheists (dahrī), naturalists (tabi’ī) and occasionally as dualists (zindīq) or heretics (mulhid). Contemporary materialism appears in various shapes and forms, the most famous being ‘dialectical materialism’, which can be witnessed within Marxist philosophy. Through the course of this discussion it has become apparent that the terms worldview and ideology can also be applied in a non-religious context. c.

Revealed religions and their principles There have always been differing opinions amongst the sociologists, anthropologists and religious historians with regards to the appearance of religion. However from evidence found within Islam, the appearance of religion is considered to be associated with the appearance of man. The first man on earth was Adam (a), the Prophet of God, who came to proclaim monotheism.

The polytheism and distortion of the truth that we see around us is the result of man following his own desires and not adhering to the true guidance. The monotheistic religions, also known as the ‘Revealed Religions’, have three common fundamental principles: Belief in One God. Belief in eternal life in the hereafter, and the recompense of reward or punishment for actions performed in this life.

Belief in the prophets of God sent to guide man towards perfection and towards attaining felicity in this world and in the hereafter. These three fundamental principles provide the answers to the following questions, which could be asked by any intelligent person: Who is the creator? What is the ultimate end? From where does one seek guidance in living a righteous life?

Such guidance has been secured through revelation (wahi), and is known as that religious ideology which has manifested itself from within the divine worldview. The principles of religious belief are comprised of corollaries, implications and details, differences of which lead to the appearance of differing religions, sects and schools.