Without using specific examples of religion tell me how you define religion.

1. 62

   hawkdad73posted 12 years ago

   Without using specific examples of religion tell me how you define religion.
   
   Although this question has been asked before, many answers I have seen were from the perspectives and point of views of specific religions.  I'm looking for a more general definition or characteristics.

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2. 91

   Pcunixposted 12 years ago

   Belief in a sentient creator or a belief that we are all part of some larger sentient being that may have existed forever.

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3. 59

   Jesus was a hippyposted 12 years ago

   I use the definition that religion is the belief in a god or supernatural being.

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4. 81

   Whidbeywriterposted 12 years ago

   In my opinion religion is a man made tradition, set of rules and regulations that trap people into a specific way to worship God.  The different views and idealogy is what separates the religions. Jesus hates religion for those reasons that I have specified.  He just wants us all to love eachother and love him with all our hearts, mind and souls but man complicates it by adding more to it.

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5. 69

   ptosisposted 12 years ago

   It's a construction of tenents that a person strives to live by. Not all religions believe in a god or higher power....

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6. 0

   Phoebe Pikeposted 12 years ago

   I have seen many answers on here specifying a belief in something bigger or more, like a God/creator, but, to me at least, religion is simply a belief. A belief in knowing. Religion is believing in something besides yourself. Whether it is in a god, or science, or even yourself, that belief cannot be touched which creates a bond unlike any other. Believing, whether founded on physical evidence or spiritual being... that is religion.

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7. 85

   M. T. Dremerposted 12 years ago

   If you really want to break it down, one could say that religion is, at its core, a system of law. Its purpose, like any lawful system, is to provide organization and stability to what would otherwise be a chaotic world. It accomplishes this with cautionary tales, rules, and rituals, then rewards good behavior with holidays, blessings and the promise of something better after death. Religion need not be deity based, but usually there is a spiritual aspect to it that represents the unknowable. Science cannot answer all of our questions so religion fills in those blanks with something we can never know, but we can have faith in as a 'bigger picture'.

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8. 59

   Godzangelposted 12 years ago

   Religion is a set of beliefs that are acted out and relied upon repeatedly within the parameters of the belief.  Religion is like a group, a group of standards that groups of people follow because they believe it to be true.  There's a difference between being spiritual than religious.  Religious people usually follow certain "rules" because that's what everybody does.  Spirituality involves more of having a personal relationship with God and making decisions based on the relationship you have with God. That relationship will outweigh any religious practice.

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9. 86

   TIMETRAVELER2posted 12 years ago

   Religion means having faith.  It does not necessarily mean believing in a higher power or belonging to any specific group of believers.  Those who have faith feel as though they are one with the universe.  They feel that things will always work out for the best.

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10. 61

    bilboburglerposted 12 years ago

    a code of behaviour to give rhythm and pattern to your life

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11. 60

    ergenzingerposted 12 years ago

    Religion is a system of beliefs for explaining and providing meaning for existence, without reliance on scientific facts or proof.

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12. 61

    simonsezposted 12 years ago

    In simple terms, I believe religion is man's way of trying to find God - through tradition, man-made rules, or ethnic beliefs.  It is the opposite of relationship, which is finding and knowing God through faith in His son.

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13. 0

    Sara Sweeneyposted 12 years ago

    From my worldview, which I promise to leave a mystery, I see all religions as having the common denominator of seeking meaning for life outside of one's own personal endeavors. A higher purpose, a calling, a (or multiple) creators who has a particular message for his creation.

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14. 60

    gandreaeposted 12 years ago

    In order to define religion you must first define several other things. Is Taoism or Confucianism a religion? I would argue not. This is because it is so disorganized and so unclear on its values that it doesn't even have a clear message. Once we know that then we know religion must have a clear set of values.
    
    Next we must define how organized it must be. Should it have churches or places of worship? Or should it just have a group of people who are organized and believe the same thing. This is a much harder question, but I suppose that it would need to be organized enough so that they can get their message out to the people. They need a way to convey their message.
    
    That last thing I want to cover is how large the group should be. The answer is that there is no set limit or minimum number of people there need to be in order for it to be a religion.
    
    So in conclusion I would say that  religion is a group organized enough to get their beliefs across with a clear set of values, but has no real limitations on how many people have to participate. Of course, this is just my humble opinion.

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15. 59

    MilesArmbrusterposted 11 years ago

    Religion is the collection of beliefs, rites, dogma, and practices that a group or individual follows. Throughout most of history, this collection of beliefs, etc. have been in reference to God, gods, or the spiritual world in some way. Because "beliefs" have expanded to include whatever anyone wants - "religion" refers to a larger group of possible beliefs and practices.

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