Who invented the word Religion?

Answer 1

The word religion comes from the Latin word religio. This word is from religare, from re- `again' and ligare `to bind.' Thus, religion is that to which we are double or strongly bound.

So the word Religion means to bind or connect, interestingly the word "Yoga" has the same meaning, to once again connect or link up, an English derivative of "Yoga" is the word "Yoke" which also has similar meaning.

Answer 2

Before one answers a question all honesty about the subject matter must be addressed. This case is no exception, so to begin no one person can be linked to the root of the word itself seeing how nobody was there to record the event. My personal belief is that all religion is man made, and this in turn means that man as a collective whole should take the responsibility of inventing the word religion. Religion is a set of spiritual beliefs handed down by a priest, who then delivers the messsage to followers. For all intensive purposes it is a government within the larger government hence we have the battle of church and state.

Answer 3

Origin: 1150–1200; from Middle English word, religioun, and that was from old French and Latin word, religiōn. I'm told that the Latin word has roots in the Greek language, but I haven't been able to confirm that. But the concept of religion in the western world arose from the forms taken by the ancient Greek mythologies.

Answer 4

From time imemorial, the One True God sends His successive Messengers to man to teach him how to build an ever-advancing civilization. This is the highest and most perfect education, which man called by various names in various languages throughout oral and written histories. Only the Messenger of God can give the exact definition and show the exact purpose.
Nowadays, among people there is still no agreement on the definition of religion. Many even believe in religions with no teachings of God.

Answer 5

The Apostle Paul and James used in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

"Religion" was found 5 times in 5 verses.

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 6

very good question - it is indeed, an invented word.

I found this website, but it doesn't specify when the word came into being, but has alot of history about the word.

http://www.deism.com/paine_essay11.htm

I don't believe Kelli's response is correct (sorry Kelli :( ), because the original Hebrew or Aramaic would have a different word for religion.

The Resurectionist may have a point, but I believe the word is likely older than that, as it would have been in use far longer than the recorded information that he/she listed.

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

I don't know! It appears in The Holy Bible at least 4 times ( Acts 26:5; Galatians 1:13 and James 1:26-27) but only favorably in James 1:26-27. "26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

27Pure 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 9

Friedrich Schleiermacher

Answer 10

The word religion is in the bible... in Galatians and James.