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"'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives.
"'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives.
For [[Christians]], the Bible teaches the triune nature of man, and Jesus said the greatest commandment in the Old Testament was to love God with all your heart, all your [[mind]] and all your [[soul]]. The Christian religion employs the use of [[logic]] and [[faith]]. Morality has often historically been based on religion, but many movements such as the [[secular humanism|secular humanists]] hold that morality does not depend on religion, and secular views of morality have existed as far back as ancient Greece.<ref>Humanism A new Religion. Simon and Schuster. pp. 64–69.</ref> Beyond this general definition, the word "religion" is used in several ways:
For [[Christians]], the Bible teaches the triune nature of man, and Jesus said the greatest commandment in the Old Testament was to love God with all your heart, all your [[mind]] and all your [[soul]]. The Christian religion employs the use of [[logic]] and [[faith]]. Morality has often historically been based on religion, but many movements such as the [[secular humanism|secular humanists]] hold that morality does not depend on religion, and secular views of morality have existed as far back as ancient Greece.<ref>Humanism A new Religion. Simon and Schuster. pp. 64–69.</ref>
== Definition of 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>
* '''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>
* '''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."
* '''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."
* '''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."
== Ninian Smart's scheme for determining what is a religion ==
Roderick Ninian Smart, a Scottish writer and professor, defined a seven-part scheme of understanding both religious and secular worldviews<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=14j2UrLCi64C&pg=PA130&lpg=PA130&dq=ninian+smart+narrative&source=bl&ots=Hq3WwG_mVT&sig=j-8FpwSdqohURYodSdcl46erSJY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=FgybT6zxIc-_gAe864X6Dg&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=ninian%20smart%20narrative&f=false Dimensions of the Sacred, page 2]</ref>. These can be understood as narrative, experiential, social, ethical, doctrinal, ritual and material.
English Pastor Daniel Smartt defines atheism as a religion, using Ninian Smart's seven dimensions of worldview as a list of criteria. It is not necessary in Smartt's model for every one of these to be present in order for something to be a religion.<ref>[http://www.helium.com/items/1227784-atheism-religion-naturalism-morally-relative "Atheism vs Religion"], Daniel Smartt</ref>. However, it can be argued that all seven are present in the case of atheism:
*''Narrative'' - this dimension is concerned with stories which explain the origin of the universe and the human life. For Christians, there is the Book of Genesis.
*''Experiential'' - this dimension is concerned with personal or spiritual experiences. Many religious believers report experiences of being near to God.
*''Social'' - the social dimension of religion is concerned with religious leadership and community in congregations.
*''Ethical'' - this dimension is concerned with the ethical teachings of a religion. See: [[Religion and morality]]
*''Doctrinal'' - this dimension is concerned with the philosophical teachings of a religion, its claims about the ultimate nature of reality.
*''Ritual''<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion "Atheism: A religion"], Daniel Smartt, Creation.com</ref> - this dimension is concerned with rituals, the celebration of rites, ceremonies or festivals.
*''Material''<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion "Atheism: A religion"], Daniel Smartt, Creation.com</ref> - this dimension is concerned with the physical artifacts of a religion, such as buildings, monuments, art, etc., and with physical places considered sacred.
== Growth of religion ==
== Growth of religion ==