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Line 1: − "'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives. Morality is often based on religion. Beyond this general definition, the word "religion" is used in several ways:+ − − * '''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> − * '''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—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." − − == List of religions == − Religions can be classified according to how many gods the religion recognises. − === Monotheistic religions === − − Monotheistic ("one god") religions are followed by the vast majority of the world's population. − − * [[Bahá'í]] − * [[Christianity]] − * [[Messianic Judaism]] − * [[Islam]] − * [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] − * [[Judaism]] − * [[Rastafari movement]] − * [[Sikhism]] − * [[Zoroastrianism]] − − === Polytheistic religions === − Polytheistic ("many gods") religions believe in and worship multiple gods or spirits or other supernatural beings. Polytheism has declined since the rise of Christianity, but has seen a recent resurgence among pagan cults in developed nations. − − * [[Cao Dai]] − * [[Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints|Mormonism]] − * [[Paganism]] − * [[Scientology]] {{fact}} − * [[Shamanism]] − * [[Shinto]] − * [[Wicca]] − − === Pantheistic religions === − Pantheistic ("all is god") religions believe that all of creation or nature is divine. − − * [[Hinduism]] − * [[Jainism]] − * [[New Age]] beliefs − − It is also worth noting the existence of 'Panentheism' and the importance of distinguishing it from Pantheism. Panentheism is the belief that God is ''in'' all things and is chiefly manifest in [[Animism]]. Nonetheless, Pantheism and Panentheism have also been shown to feature in some outlooks generally defined as 'Monotheistic' (cf. [[Baruch Spinoza]]). − − === Non-theistic religions and philosophies=== − Non-theistic religions do not have a belief in God or gods. Some consider the existence of God to be unknown or irrelevant, while (strong) [[Atheism]] is the belief that asserts it is false. − * [[Agnostic]]ism − * [[Atheism]] − ** [[Strong atheism]] − ** [[Weak atheism]] − * [[Buddhism]] (though with elements of [[Pantheism]]) − * [[Secular Humanism]] − − === 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. − − * [[Flying Spaghetti Monster|The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster]] − * [[Discordianism]] − * [[Jedi]] − * [[Last Thursdayism]] − * [[Church of the SubGenius|SubGeniism]] − − == 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> − − ==References== − − − ==See Also== − * [[World Religions by Number of Followers]] − − ==External Links== − *[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/religion/ What Liberals Say - Category: Religion], [[Accuracy In Media]] − −
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[[Image:Obama.jpg]][[Image:Obama.jpg]][[Image:Obama.jpg]]<div style="border: thick black dotted; spacing: .5em; font-size: 100pt; line-height: 100pt; width=100%; text-align: center; margin: 10px;"><span class="mainpageheading">HA HA HA<BR></span></div><small><center>maybe you should lock the database</center></small>[[Image:Obama.jpg]][[Image:Obama.jpg]][[Image:Obama.jpg]]
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[[Category:Religion]]