How do you define "Religion"?

Question

This question goes out to atheists, theists, humanists, agnostics and the like.

How would you define religion?

Be respectful towards all religions!

I was given a definition earlier in life that it is "The desire for humans to find their position and meaning in the world."

Answer 1

Religions are the way people explain their spiritual or material existence , each way they interpret it is a different religion ;usually by the belief of a God (or Cosmic Energy, or Higher Being) that is their Creator; or else their own experience in Nature and also their lives , therefore the reason for so many different ways to worship or religions

Answer 2

Religion is a conceptual tool, the idea of a legion of reliers or believers, a believing legion of people. To control the people, you can use force, but religion works infinitely better.

With religion, you can get people to believe in anything, and when they believe, they will do anything for you and the cause. People start telling others what they should do and what to believe, and soon the beliefs become the accepted law for all to follow. Those who do not accept are law breakers and sinners. As a religion grows, this believing legion becomes more powerful and less tolerant of others. Animosity is sure to follow and will eventually lead to argument and war. Religious areas of the world have always been violent.

Personally, I think if people want to lead, they should lead by example only, and leave others free to persue their own individual goals and beliefs. Freedom of beliefs brings peace.

Answer 3

"Religion" was found 5 times in 5 verses in the New Testament.

Acts 26:5 - Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Galatians 1:13 - For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Galatians 1:14 - And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

James 1:26 - If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

James 1:27 - Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Answer 4

I define it the same way the dictionary does:


1.
1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

Answer 5

Religion is needed to make people content with their lot.
It is an opiate of the people. Today! Religion is big business, example: The Catholic Church has hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the stock market. Is that Religion or ???????????

Religion is and should be a matter of individual choice. Even Atheism is a religion.

Answer 6

Religion is a system of social coherence commonly understood as a group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object, person, unseen or imaginary being, or system of thought considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine or highest truth, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, and rituals associated with such belief or system of thought. It is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system"[1], but is more socially defined than that of personal convictions.

The development of religion has taken many forms in various cultures. "Organized religion" generally refers to an organization of people supporting the exercise of some religion with a prescribed set of beliefs, often taking the form of a legal entity (see religion-supporting organization). Other religions believe in personal revelation and responsibility.

source: wikipedia

I generally view the term religion to mean organised religion,
and not spirituallity.
Many peole are "religious" but as far as I can see are not very spiritual.. or understanding, or actually believers in anything, apart from man made rules, and rituals.

Answer 7

My personal definition of Religion is a faith in a power greater than our own. This is interesting as I would class Paganism, Wicca etc as religions, due to their faith in life-energy or natural-energy (sorry to all you Pagans, Wiccans etc. there if I am showing massive ignorance!) However, I hav ebeen told that they are not religions. I personally would disagree, but it makes me think that in sociey's eyes, a religion needs to be organised through a recognised hierarchy.

Answer 8

There are 2 definitions that I am aware of... One can be found in any dictionary and the other is found in the Bible: "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." - James 1:27

Answer 9

A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion.
Francis Bacon 1561-1626: Essays (1625) 'Of Atheism'

Answer 10

religion is a system of control, set up by the powerful few to keep the masses in line.