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[[Image:Jesus5.jpg‎|thumb|200px|Artist's depiction of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]]]

[[Image:Jesus5.jpg‎|thumb|200px|Artist's depiction of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]]]

"'''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:

"'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives.  Morality not often based on religion, but people tend to use religion to justify thier pre-existing beliefs, even if they contradict their own religious teachings. 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>.

* '''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>.

== 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; among intellegent people, this number was closer to 5 percent.  The numbers peaked at 68% in May 1975.<ref>Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg. 24</ref>

==References==

==References==