Definition of Religion

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real answers. In order to understand religion and why it is necessary, it is important to understand the meaning of the word religion. As a word, religion is difficult to define, but as a human experience, it seems to be universal.
Everyone has their own way to describe religion, varying as widely as the human imagination does. The etymology of the word religion comes from the Latin word "religio" which means "to bind". The term was taken over into English with its meaning of loyalty, duty, and devotion. The word "religare" is also a Latin word which means together, to restrain; a method that stops one from doing something that is not good or according to rule (http://www.wikipedia.org.wiki/Latin_language ).The definition in the Oxford Dictionary seems to be doubtful that this is the root of the word, and suggests that perhaps the words means "to reread." This suggests that the word itself is a matter of debate. Attempts to describe religion usually suffer from one or two ...

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obedience, reverence, and worship; the general mental and moral attitude resulting from this belief, with reference to its effect upon the individual or the community; personal or general acceptance of this feeling as a standard of spiritual and practical life. Devotion to some principle; a strict fidelity or faithfulness; conscientiousness; pious affection or attachment.”

This definition is too narrow, specifically saying that there is a divine ruling power. Not all religions believe in a divine ruling power, for example Buddhists and confuscionists. Their religion does not revolve around a divine power, but rather around a specific way of life. Each other definition discusses the ...

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