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"'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives.  It is very frequently used to refer to a set of beliefs about a god or gods, but is not limited to this.

"'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives.  Beyond this general definition, the word "religion" is used in several ways:

* '''Formal definition of religion''':  "The service and worship of God or the supernatural;"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref> Under this definition, [[atheism]], [[agnosticism]], and [[secular humanism]] are not "religions."  <ref>Religious Groups Participating in Religious Congregations & Membership Study 2000. [http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/alldenoms.asp]</ref>.

 

* '''Functional definition of religion''':  "A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref> By this definition, non-theistic belief systems such as [[atheism]], [[humanism]], and [[agnosticism]] could be considered religions. Indeed, the Supreme Court of the [[United States of America]] has acknowledged that "religion" does not need to include a belief in a god or gods, and included humanism as an example of a non-theistic religion.<ref>"Among religions in this country which do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God, are Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, Secular Humanism, and others.".  [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=367&invol=488#t11 Torcaso v. Watkins, (1961)]</ref><ref>Another U.S. court has also ruled atheism enjoys protection as a religion.<ref>"A federal court of appeals ruled ... Wisconsin prison officials violated an inmate's rights because they did not treat atheism as a religion."  [http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45874 Court rules atheism a religion] WorldNet Daily</ref>

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary give a definition of religions as "the service and worship of God or the supernatural", and "commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance", but also as "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith", while "religious" is defined as "relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref>

* '''Organizational definition of religion''':  Under the definition, the term refers to a particular religious organisation, such a [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Methodist|Methodism]], or [[Lutheran]]ism.  These organizations generlaly consist of a central creed or body of beliefs, an ethical component (i.e. a code of morals), a body of literature or holy texts or stories, and a set of individual and communal practices.  Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I don't go to church -- but I believe in God."

 

* '''Practice definition of religion''': Under this definition, the term refers to a set of practices, rites, or rituals observed by followers. Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I'm not into rituals. My relationship with God is enough."

 

"'''Religion'''" is frequently used to refer to a belief in a god or gods, or other [[supernatural]] elements such as [[angels]], [[demons]], souls, and locations such as [[heaven]], [[purgatory]] and [[hell]].

 

Often a particular common set of beliefs are referred to, such as [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], or [[Judaism]].

 

Developed religions generally consist of a central creed or body of beliefs, an ethical component (i.e. a code of morals), a body of literature or holy texts or stories, and a set of individual and communal practices.

 

 

"'''Religion'''" is often used to refer to a particular religious organisation, such a [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Methodist|Methodism]], or [[Lutheran]]ism.

 

== Religion as Set of Practices ==

 

"'''Religion'''" is sometimes used to refer to a set of practices, rites, or rituals observed by followers.

 

Many [[evangelical]]s reject the term "religion" because they reject any system of works by which human beings attempt to approach [[God]] without a personal relationship with [[Jesus Christ]].

According to them, for the person who is born again, "religion" can only interfere and distract from that prayerful union.

 

==Religion as Philosophy or Principle==

 

The definition of religion as a cause, principle, or system of beliefs is probably the broadest definition of the term.  By this definition, non-theistic belief systems such as [[atheism]], [[humanism]], and [[agnosticism]] can be considered religions. Indeed, the Supreme Court of the [[United States of America]] has acknowledged that "religion" does not need to include a belief in a god or gods, and included humanism as an example of a non-theistic religion.<ref>"Among religions in this country which do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God, are Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, Secular Humanism, and others.".  [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=367&invol=488#t11 Torcaso v. Watkins, (1961)]</ref>

Another U.S. court has also ruled atheism enjoys protection as a religion.<ref>"A federal court of appeals ruled ... Wisconsin prison officials violated an inmate's rights because they did not treat atheism as a religion."  [http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45874 Court rules atheism a religion] WorldNet Daily</ref>

 

Atheists typically reject that atheism is a religion because it rejects the existence of God.

 

Since the belief in gods is not essential to Buddhism, it is sometimes not considered to be a religion, but a philosophy. The Association of Religion Data Archives includes Buddism as one of the 149 religious bodies, but omits atheism, agnosticism or secular humanism <ref>Religious Groups Participating in Religious Congregations & Membership Study 2000. [http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/alldenoms.asp]</ref>.

== List of religions ==

== List of religions ==