2006-07-29 01:38:08 · 3 answers · asked by Axel ∇ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
religion
c.1200, "state of life bound by monastic vows," also "conduct indicating a belief in a divine power," from Anglo-Fr. religiun (11c.), from O.Fr. religion "religious community," from L. religionem (nom. religio) "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods," in L.L. "monastic life" (5c.); according to Cicero, derived from relegare "go through again, read again," from re- "again" + legere "read" (see lecture). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (and many modern writers) connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." Another possible origin is religiens "careful," opposite of negligens. Meaning "particular system of faith" is recorded from c.1300.
"The equal toleration of all religions ... is the same thing as atheism." [Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885]
Modern sense of "recognition of, obedience to, and worship of a higher, unseen power" is from 1535. Religious is first recorded c.1225. Transfered sense of "scrupulous, exact" is recorded from 1599.
Study of origins of words is called etymology. To answer any future questions you can go to www.etymonline.com or another etymological dictionary
2006-07-29 01:50:39 · answer #1 · answered by MURP 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first mention of the word religion I found is in the book of acts. Although I am pretty sure the word had been around long before the books of the new testament were penned in the 60s to 90s AD.
2006-07-29 01:55:58 · answer #2 · answered by Lady Di-USA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the Latin, ancient Latium and ancient Rome languages.
Latin Church. Catholic Church: the Italic language of: As a Spaniard or Italian languages derived from Latin.
Religio: A person belonging to a monastic order.
2006-07-29 02:02:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋