Difference between revisions of "Religion"
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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 | + | "'''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>. | * '''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>. | ||
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== 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 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== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 04:11, February 16, 2008
"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;"[1] Under this definition, atheism, agnosticism, and secular humanism are not "religions." [2].
- Functional definition: "A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"[3] 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.[4][5]
- Organisational definition: Under the definition, the term refers to a particular religious organisation or movement, such a Catholicism, Methodism, or Lutheranism. 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."
Contents
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
- Mormonism
- Islam
- Jehovah's Witnesses
- Judaism
- Rastafari movement
- Sikhism
- Zoroastrianism
Polytheistic religions
Polytheistic ("many gods") religions believe in multiple gods or spirits or other supernatural beings needing to be worshipped. Polytheism has declined since the rise of Christianity, but has seen a recent resurgence among pagan cults in developed nations.
- Animism
- Cao Dai
- Paganism
- Scientology[Citation Needed]
- Shamanism
- Shinto
- Wicca
- Greek Paganism
- Irish Paganism
Pantheistic religions
Pantheistic ("all is god") religions believe that all of creation or nature is a god.
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 that there is no god or gods.
- Agnosticism
- 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.
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.[6]
References
- ↑ "Religion" in Merriam Webster dictionary.
- ↑ Religious Groups Participating in Religious Congregations & Membership Study 2000. [1]
- ↑ "Religion" in Merriam Webster dictionary.
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "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
- ↑ Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg. 24
