Changes

* '''Formal definition''':  "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>.

* '''Formal definition''':  "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''':  "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 Secular 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>"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>

* '''Functional definition''':  "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 Secular 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>"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>

* '''Organisational definition''':  Under the definition, the term refers to a particular religious organisation or movement, such a [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Methodist|Methodism]], or [[Lutheran]]ism.  These groups 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.  Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I don't go to church&mdash;but I believe in God."

* '''Organisational definition''':  Under the, the term refers to a partular religious organisation or movement, such a [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Methodist|Methodism]], or [[Lutheran]]ism.  These groups geally 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 ay, "I'm not religious, because I don't go to church&mdash;but I believe in God."

* '''Practical definition''':  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."

* '''Practical definition''':  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."

* [[Bahá'í]]

* [[Bahá'í]]

* [[Christianity]]

* [[Christianity]]

* [[Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints|Mormonism]]

* [[Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_nts|Mormonism]]

* [[Islam]]

* [[Islam]]

* [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]

* [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]

=== Polytheistic religions ===

=== Polytheistic religions ===

Polytheistic ("many gods") religions believe in multiple gods or spirits or other supernatural being needing to be worshipped.

Polytheistic ("many gods") religions ieve in multiple gods or spirits or other supernatural being needing to be worshipped.

* [[Animism]]

* [[Animism]]

=== Parody and joke religions ===

=== Parody and joke religions ===

Several "religions" have been invented in an effort to denigrate or parody traditional religions.  As a rule, these religions do not have followers who actually believe the tenets of the religions.

Several "religions" have been ented in an effort to denigrate or parody traditional religions.  As a rule, these religions do not have followers who actually believe the tenets of the religions.

* [[Flying Spaghetti Monster|The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster]]

* [[Flying Spaghetti Monster|The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster]]

== Faith in organised religion ==

== Faith in organised religion ==

The percentage of respondents answering they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in organised religion has decreased in the [[United States]] according to a [[Gallup]] poll taken in 2007.  Only 46% of respondents selected either of the choices above.  The numbers peaked at 68% in May 1975.<ref>Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg. 24</ref>

The percentage of respondents answering they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in organised religion has decreased in the [[United States]] according to a [[Gallup]] poll taken in 2007.  Only 46% of respondents selected either of the choices above.  The numbers peaked at 68% May 1975.<ref>Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg. 24</ref>

==References==

==References==

==See Also==

==See Also==

* [[World Religions by Number of Followers]]

* [[World Religions by of Followers]]

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]