Changes

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>

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>

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.

The definition 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>

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 similar to religions.<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>

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>

== Belief in a god or gods ==

== Belief in a god or gods ==