Religion

Religion is a social-cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements. However, there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion.

Different religions may or may not contain various elements ranging from the divine, sacred things, faith, a supernatural being or supernatural beings or "some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life". Religious practices may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of deities and/or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture. Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred scriptures, and symbols and holy places, that aim mostly to give a meaning to life. Religions may contain symbolic stories, which are sometimes said by followers to be true, that have the side purpose of explaining the origin of life, the universe, and other things. Traditionally, faith, in addition to reason, has been considered a source of religious beliefs.

Etymology

The word religion is derived from Latin "religio" (what attaches or retains, moral bond, anxiety of self-consciousness, scruple) used by the Romans, before the development of Christianity, in a sense that might relate to the current definition of the word, that is bond between humans and gods.

Classification

Religions are classified in numerous ways, such as by their cultural context, geographical origin, historical timeline, theological beliefs, and societal influence.

History

The history of religion encompasses the story of the development of belief systems throughout human history.

Religion and society

This section looks at the effects religion has on society and on the individuals who practice it.

Criticism of religion

Criticism of religion involves critiques of religious belief, interpretations, and practices.

See also

• Philosophy of religion
• Sociology of religion
• Psychology of religion
• Religious studies

References

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External links

• Britannica Online Encyclopedia: Religion

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