How is religion defined

Middle English religioun , from Anglo-French religiun , Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely. See more words from the same century. Accessed 26 Oct. More Definitions for religion.

Nglish: Translation of religion for Spanish Speakers. Britannica English: Translation of religion for Arabic Speakers. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Log in Sign Up. Save Word. Essential Meaning of religion. Shinto is a religion that is unique to Japan. See More Examples I think that children should be taught about different religions. They advocated for freedom of religion. Politics are a religion to him. See More Examples Where I live, high school football is religion. Food is religion in this house.

It needs to be said: bigotry in the name of religion is still bigotry; child abuse wrapped in a Bible verse is still child abuse. The supernaturalist alleges that religion was revealed to man by God, and that the form of this revelation is a sacred book. Each religion claims that its own Bible is the direct revelation of God, and is the only true Bible teaching the only true faith.

No man should regard the subject of religion as decided for him until he has read The Golden Bough. Pretty women without religion are like flowers without perfume. It was in the college stage that most of us made out our religion and made it real for ourselves.

New Word List Word List. Save This Word! Dynamics of Faith. HarperCollins, There are other sources that serve as the object of faith for humans. People can have faith in science and in their family. But there are few other sources for value. People need to have faith and meaning and value in order to orient themselves to life in this world. Religion is a phenomena that arises out of that need.

Religious people are willing to live according to and at times to die for what they most value. Religion is the primary form in which that valuation is expressed and transmitted from one generation to the next. It provides for a foundation for a moral order and in past times it has supplied answers to many questions of great importance. Science may now serve many people as a better source of answers for many of those questions but it does not serve as a source of value.

Religion is likely to continue for some time as a popular and important feature of human culture. As more people come to have a better understanding of the nature of religion there will be a more intelligent and penetrating questioning of religious phenomena.

Philosophy serves to provide a methodology for that activity. Pecorino All Rights reserved. Web Surfer's Caveat: These are class notes, intended to comment on readings and amplify class discussion. They should be read as such. They are not intended for publication or general distribution.

Return to: Table of Contents for the Online Textbook. Philosophy of Religion. Chapter