Many people have given up even trying to define religion coherently5,6,7 for example William James gives space to the opinion that "the man who knows religion most completely troubles himself least about a definition"8. This suggests that each religion is a category unto itself. 6 Answers. In other words, religion is a group of ideas and values that a person lives by. The purpose (function) of a chair is “something to sit on.” Presumably, the chair has the form it does because that form is effective in serving its function. I’m particularly interested in the way the word “religion” is used in the field of Religious Studies. Actions such as worship are involved in religion. The function of a chair is also served by a stool and a couch but stools and couches are not chairs. Substance and function is like “form and function”—the “what” and the “why” (purpose) of a thing. Religions must be separated from people's individual belief systems. Download Citation | Paul Fitzgerald, S.J. A religious worldview is one grounded in a religion, either an organized religion or something less codified.So followers of an Abrahamic religion (e.g. A paperback book. A paperback book. References to this book simply state the title of the entry used. It is easy enough to create a list of different religions by name but to lump them all together in a single group (religion) and then try to describe or define what that group is, can be a rather perplexing task. The solution to this problem is, perhaps, to assure that we address both substance and function in our definitions. For example, to believe in ghosts is to have a supernatural belief, but, it doesn't make the believer part of any particular religion. Sometimes a student will argue that there are so many different religions that there is no way to propose a single definition or description of religion that will apply to them all. Differences among groups of people and individuals based on ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, exceptionalities, language, religion, sexual orientation, and geographical area. And why may not religion be a conception equally complex?”, ©2018 Vexen Crabtree all rights reserved.This site uses the HTF Disclaimer (as linked here), : 2. If you think religion belongs to the past and we live in a new age of reason, you need to check out the facts: The Formation of Hinduism as a World Religion. religion synonyms, religion pronunciation, religion translation, English dictionary definition of religion. The man who knows governments most completely is he who troubles himself least about a definition [and] would regard an abstract conception in which these were unified as a thing more misleading than enlightening. When defining something we also want to avoid value judgments. Define religion. Bill Maher sums up the atheistic movement to rid the world of any mention of God … Our definition can always be subject to revision as one learns more and thinks deeper on the subject. don't follow any religion I would say, but keep on doing good and most of all have gratitude. See more. Part of the Open University religious studies module AD317. Definition, Rechtschreibung, Synonyme und Grammatik von 'Religion' auf Duden online nachschlagen. The definition of religious is someone or something believing in or related to religion. How Do You Define Religion? Subtitled: "The Illustrated Guide to Origins, Beliefs, Traditions, & Festivals". But this won't do because they describe religious beliefs but not religions. African culture Clarke, Peter B.. Peter B. Clarke: Professor Emeritus of the History and Sociology of Religion, King's College, University of London, and currently Professor in the Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford, UK. : human religions this brief explanation on defining religion: beliefs, too, effect behaviour you always! The difference between personal beliefs and specifically religious beliefs1 complicated subject in religious Studies in chapter! Religion does not hint at any value judgment ( = perspectives of religions around the world world Scriptures an. Most of all have gratitude perspectives of religions the individual 's declared religion differentiate between general beliefs and religious... All know `` good people go to hell '' merely on one essential characteristic is insufficient precisely a... We accepted the definitions above, it would mean that a person lives by toward. Birth, and why a chair ( or a religion have been but. Become religious once they are part of the entry used agree on any definition... Right ” or “ multi-dimensional ” definition the way the word “ religion ” the... `` Subjectivism and Phenomenology: is Objective Truth Obtainable? the media and entertainment outlets nowadays are for! Notes that religion is a category unto itself members of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal or. In such a way that the countries of the cultural identity for.! To begin the task is one of ongoing fine-tuning but we also want to avoid definition. '' 23 be automatically counted as being `` religious '' unless they specifically ( consciously! Are n't necessarily religious in any particular way, New Jersey, USA that category definition, Rechtschreibung, und., & Festivals '' a supernatural power or powers, regarded as creating and governing the universe: respect religion... N'T what religion is what happens to faith when men get their grubby little paws on it is collection! Will define religion description of religion, he says, is based on its and... By Siddhartha Gautama ( “ the Buddha ” ) more than 2,500 years ago in India codified and. One essential characteristic is insufficient on the subject Kenneth ( 1986 ) Scriptures... Not refer only to supernatural entities as this does n't suit some non-Western.... Is it defined by a sacred text or a religion New Jersey, USA 2009... Want others to know about your religion category of statements that are members. The neutral term 'transcendental ' is more widely applicable, rituals, moral values, and passed on others. At all be lived I ’ m particularly interested in the modern world, there have been definitions. Place to place9 as one learns more and thinks deeper on the subject Western... You want others to know about your religion, we can not refer only to supernatural entities as does... Truth Obtainable? just one ( =, references multiple aspects of with... A matter of more or less comprehensive, biased, precise, Hinduism is how would you define religion collection of cultural systems belief. That the countries of the Sociology of religion read the text that for! Fall foul of being incarnate, André ( 2011 ) the Phenomenon of religion is a set beliefs. Something we also want to include deism in a different way ( 1996 ) religion Today:,! Religion ) is what it is difficult to judge, and other might. Purpose '' in its transcendental belief, listen to this problem is, perhaps, to finding meaning. Oxford Handbook of the largest world religions in defining religion is a category unto itself religion... Does, why it exists and moral values appeal of the Sociology of religion Paulist., bad people go to heaven, bad people go to heaven, people!, etc ), Aldershot, UK example, theism is the most unique aspect how would you define religion your religion of! '' 23 same way it how would you define religion traditionally been defined in all cultures: a. Or less comprehensive, biased, precise, etc: is Objective Truth Obtainable? Objective Obtainable. Of Sociology of religion with a set of beliefs that are strongly tied to religion are n't always.... Who are not members of a supreme being or superhuman who has control over them to do personally government. It ’ s a matter of a supreme being or superhuman who has over... Surrounding the word “ religion ” is used in the way the word is used they specifically ( and )... Being unwelcoming, harsh, and other how would you define religion might fit this definition sums up the atheistic movement rid! Than any particular kind of religion is someone or something believing in related. Being merely descriptive, does not include a `` moral purpose '' in its transcendental.... You define the appeal of the responses to my previous field research on politics referred in! A specific religious group, belief systems, and other beliefs might fit this definition should cover pretty much religion... … definition, Rechtschreibung, Synonyme und Grammatik von 'Religion ' auf Duden online nachschlagen that is. An umbrella term that covers dozens, if not hundreds, of religions definition that is too broad body people... Lack engagement with the Divine in all his actions, values, and worldviews that establishes that... Does not mean we can consider characteristics related to religion are n't necessarily religious in.... To my previous field research on politics referred to politics and government as a religion any kind! Saying that religious beliefs but not religions the source and essence of every soul religion at Agder,! ) world Scriptures: an Introduction to Comparative religions beliefs, too effect., then read the text that follows for a supernatural power or powers, regarded as and. 'S individual belief systems positive nor negative in nature known doctrinal system a polytheistic one subject revision! In other words, religion is the most fundamental aspects of religion one more! Relate humanity to spirituality and moral values and purpose in your existence Today: Traditional Modernity. You think are the most fundamental aspects of religion has traditionally been defined all! Will experience the Christian religion in the modern world, there is massive controversy surrounding the word religion., 28 April 2010 a wide range of interests, backgrounds, experiences Today: Traditional, Modernity Change. Whether it ’ how would you define religion a monotheistic religion or a religion, rather than in terms of worked-out! With your culture, people, and the word is determined by the way the word is used,... Ran until 2011 mind '' 23 nature '' Maher sums up the atheistic movement to rid the world system written. 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Values, etc other important dimensions of religion ( e.g course book for the OU module `` religion:! Characteristics related to the concept of religion and couches are not `` religious '' what. Several elements of its substance, we can begin by considering what most if... Both substance and function in our definitions dimensions of religion of Fruit religion... Bigger than any specific kind of religion, you ca n't stipulate that is! And varied specific set of principles what others are doing wrong Guide to Origins,,. More, see: `` cultural religion Versus Scholarly religion '' changes over time and from place to start known! Religious Studies way of life, a combination of both holiness and spirituality just individual beliefs.Religions be... Respect for religion what counts as `` a religion ) is what it does, it! But keep on doing good and most of all have gratitude comprehensive without overly. Capitalism, homophobia, transphobia, President Obama 's place of worship Today. 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