2007-05-05 16:32:18 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
a belief in a higher cause or being(s).
2007-05-05 16:34:49 · answer #1 · answered by clarnely_2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the very beginning of people coming together into groups, such as tribes, whether monotheistic or polytheistic, religion became a means through which social order was structured.
It attempted to help in setting aside or explain that which we feared or didn't understand through the notion of a higher power or several higher powers and evolved into God or Gods and finally, over time, to efficient organizational bodies such as churches, temples or other symbolic objects.
Power must have played a role, as the evolvement of religion put humans at the top to be both worshipped by and provided for by the groups over which these presided.
Most of them have a basic "golden rule" that has been expanded to formal guidelines such as the Quran, Old Testament, New Testament and the many other holy books of the multiple religions we now have today.
2007-05-05 23:50:49 · answer #2 · answered by pjallittle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That the truth really can be known by the individual, and defended vigorously. That's because religion is a devotion to something supernatural, beyond oneself. Religion affirms definite right and wrong conduct.
2007-05-06 00:27:19 · answer #3 · answered by Steve Husting 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All religion with the exception of Christianity is an attempt to fulfill that need that every man has to know why they themselves were put here and to make sense of their lives. It is an attempt by man to tell God that they can do it with out them and that they will take His place. religion gives man rules that he can try to follow so that he can boast about his achievements. I separated out Christianity because when you read the Bible it teaches that man needs to reestablish that relationship with God. Man can't earn his way to Heaven because he has sinned. Jesus had to pay the cost necessary to reestablish the relationship between God and man.
2007-05-05 23:44:18 · answer #4 · answered by james e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A belief in a higher being, the purpose of life, a description of an afterlife, and how to be the best person possible to oneself and to others.
2007-05-05 23:41:02 · answer #5 · answered by Jess 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Living life in such a way as to improve ones self, by helping others, showing compassion, and seeking to understand that which is unseen. Spiritual growth.
2007-05-05 23:55:30 · answer #6 · answered by Lil'witch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An ethical framework by which to achieve happiness and avoid suffering, usually characterized by compassion and love. Unfortunately, owing to social and cultural conditions, the framework is sometimes bent!
2007-05-05 23:38:30 · answer #7 · answered by buddhamonkeyboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say a belief in a higher being, but Buddhism doesn't have that.
A striving to be the best possible, I'd have to say.
It's just that "the best possible" is different from religion to religion.
- 17 yo Pagan
2007-05-05 23:36:03 · answer #8 · answered by Lady Myrkr 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christianity says one is saved by grace thru faith, not of yourselves. Not of works, lest anyone would boast.
ALL other religions present differing works to do to earn God's favor.
2007-05-05 23:40:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe.
2007-05-05 23:36:43 · answer #10 · answered by Alien51 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋