Difference between revisions of "Religion"

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'''Religion''' is a system of belief and practices shared by a community that attempts to answer the ultimate questions of life and death, and, in doing so, goes beyond the verifiable. Religions frequently involve [[supernatural]] elements such as [[gods and goddesses]], [[angels]] and [[demons]], ancestors, transmigratory souls, and [[heaven]], [[purgatory]] and [[hell]]. 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, a set of individual and communal practices. Religion played a major role in all human societies prior to the twentieth century. It is a core belief of [[conservatives]] that the recent decline in religious observation are a key source of the undermining of social and moral order.
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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.
  
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[[Evangelicals]] disparage the term "religion" as a 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.
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== "Religion" as belief ==
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The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary give a definition of religions as "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>
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This 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.
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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>
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Another U.S. court has also ruled atheism to be 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>
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== Belief in a god or gods ==
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"'''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]].
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Often a particular common set of beliefs are referred to, such as [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], or [[Judaism]].
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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, a set of individual and communal practices.
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Atheists typically reject that atheism is a religion because it rejects the existence of God.
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== Organisation ==
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"'''Religion'''" is often used to refer to a particular religious organisation, such a [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Methodist|Methodism]], or [[Lutheran]]ism.
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== Practices ==
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"'''Religion'''" is sometimes used to refer to a set of practices, rites, or rituals observed by followers.
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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]].
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According to them, for the person who is born again, "religion" can only interfere and distract from that prayerful union.
  
 
== Religions ==
 
== Religions ==

Revision as of 15:04, August 5, 2007

"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" as belief

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary give a definition of religions as "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"[1]

This 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.[2] Another U.S. court has also ruled atheism to be a religion.[3]

Belief in a god or gods

"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, a set of individual and communal practices.

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

Organisation

"Religion" is often used to refer to a particular religious organisation, such a Catholicism, Methodism, or Lutheranism.

Practices

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

Many evangelicals 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.

Religions

References

  1. ↑ "Religion" in Merriam Webster dictionary.
  2. ↑ "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.". Torcaso v. Watkins, (1961)
  3. ↑ "A federal court of appeals ruled ... Wisconsin prison officials violated an inmate's rights because they did not treat atheism as a religion." Court rules atheism a religion WorldNet Daily

See Also

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