What is religion?
2.3 — Collaborative Unit
religion
rɪˈlɪdʒ(ə)n/
noun
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.“ideas about the relationship between science and religion”
a particular system of faith and worship.plural noun: religions“the world’s great religions” a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.“consumerism is the new religion”
At the first glance, it looks obvious, but if you give it a second thought, it may be a controversy worthy of entire courses, graduate theses, etc. So let’s try to define what makes a religion, religion.
In my opinion, there are three major characteristics of religion:
- Religious practices (may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of a deity, gods, or goddesses), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture)
- Worldviews and beliefs (faith, in addition to reason, has been considered a source of religious beliefs)
- Social organisation
References:
- http://faculty.smcm.edu/ccraney/restricted/PDF/Basic_Characteristics_Relig.pdf
- What is religion
- http://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/29679/what-makes-a-religion-genuine-or-acceptable
- https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-six-common-features-religion-768848
- http://donsnotes.com/religion/common-characteristics.html
- https://www.quora.com/What-makes-a-religion-religion