definition of religion

[triks]

What is your definition of religion and belief?
What does religion provide us with? and what does belief provide us with? Why does it have to be a discussion of "both/and" rather than "either/or",...like why are the two necessary in faith development rather than one or the other?

[MRM]

lol I don't think I am provided with enough space to answer that question fully. But here is a very short view. Religion is the belief in something greater than we are. People were designed to believe in some sort of higher power.

[stocktrading]

according to me religin means path
its the way ppl should live as told by their prophecies.
religion means peace

[naeann]

For us to be guided. we should read the bible.

[sandraleesmith46]

Religion is a human construct, usually around some central deity or deities, used to explain that which hasn't yet been explained otherwise, and around which grow up sets of laws and customs for worshiping said deity or deities, often involving rituals, and characteristics of daily life as well, which are generally influenced by the culture of the time in which the religion develops. Most religions tend to be somewhat legalistic and are often rather narrow minded about others holding different beliefs, although that's not always the case. IMHO, religion is something we need to outgrow as a species. However, that doesn't mean we need to outgrow morality or ethical behavior; neither must one be religious to have such beliefs. Most of us know what's right and wrong, in reality; it's just many seem to ignore that knowledge, in our modern world of "situational ethics", which aren't ethics at all.

[mamedesign]

religion, faith and belief. It is something that is really difficult to define.
Because for me it comes to their view of themselves that their own religion.

[auspicious]

Religion is not a belief only. It gives complete conduct of life

[sandraleesmith46]

Religion is not a belief only. It gives complete conduct of life

That overlaps into the realm of politics when it starts dictating conduct of life.

[decadance]

That overlaps into the realm of politics when it starts dictating conduct of life.

what's that mean? why should be a "politic" there..

[sandraleesmith46]

what's that mean? why should be a "politic" there..

That was my point: politics shouldn't be masquerading as religion, or vice versa. Religion has to do with the soul or spirit of a person in relation to whatever deity he/she chooses, or not. Politics has to do with governance and laws, and the two shouldn't be mixed. That almost always leads to repression on a dreadful scale. If you doubt that, have a look at Iran over the past 30 or so years. Have a look at China, where communism is the religion. It's NEVER a good mix! Our Founding Fathers in America set up the First Amendment to insure that religion didn't take over the politics in this nation, because they were wise enough to KNOW that!