Existing forms of Popular Religious Culture in their Anthropological and Theological dimension in the Philippines

Abstract

It is commonly accepted that though religious in nature, popular religiosity is culture bound since it is a form of expression that is essentially influenced by ethnic patterns such as values, traditions and institutions. This paper discusses the existing forms of Filipino religious culture and analyzes these forms in their anthropological and theological dimension. Due to the extensive nature of the topic Filipino religious culture, this research focuses on the phenomenon of popular religiosity in the Philippines. The investigation on the anthropological dimension is the key to the understanding of popular religiosity as a culturally mediated ritual practice. The study on the theological aspect of popular religiosity is significant, given that after more than 400 years, it can be safely claimed that the Filipino religious culture is imbued with elements of Christianity which are not only visible in the external practices or rituals but are likewise discernible in the Filipino religious worldview.