Define Religion

[Desperado †]

I've been finding this quite hard. Personally so far I've come to the conclusion that its a set of beliefs concerning the purpose of life and the nature of the universe somewhere employing the use of faith or revolving around an absolute truth. I find that without that last part many definitions could be applied to an area of scientific or philosophical thought.

Edit: Apologies, misspelling of Deity and Deities second time round.

[Arch-hereticK]

A set of supernatural beleifs, maybe?

Edit: From the source that dare not speak its name.
A religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs

[Desperado †]

A religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs

Yeah, I read that, but it could be applied to a wide ranging scientific thesis. Hence why I think you have to include faith or an absolute truth in the definition.

[Arch-hereticK]

Yeah, I read that, but it could be applied to a wide ranging scientific thesis. Hence why I think you have to include faith or an absolute truth in the definition.

I included the word supernatural which implies faith.
And a few posts ago I also gave my opinion on what could be the most basic article of faith.

[Dave Scarface]

Religion is simply man's attempt to find meaning in life. What science can tell us may not always be what everyone wants to hear. People will end up believing in what they want to believe at the end of the day.

Christians often say that if you seek Jesus out hard enough you will always find him. But this is really to say if you want him desperately enough in your life you will always end up believing in him.

[MaximiIian]

Being a twit and having fun at it, I checked everything on the list. But that should not be taken seriously.

To me, a religion is not much different than a philosophy. In fact, I tend to think of religion as applied philosophy. It is taking what one thinks about reality and putting it into some sort of practice. So, generally, they'll include some set ideas on ethics, metaphysics, and religious rituals/practices. Though this doesn't necessitate anything at all regarding the supernatural or deities. That just is what often rolls out of a religion.

[Helm]

To me religion is humanities attempt at explaining what it doesn't understand, hence all the made up stuff.

[Strelok]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/religion

[Lysimachus]

Religion?

It's just a bunch of ridiculous fantastical beliefs with a name tag slapped on it to convince people that it's true.

[MathiasOfAthens]

Religion is more of a set doctrine of faith and that set doctrine includes all of the other options you listed. But those options can also fit in categories by themselves or in other groups like a Moral Code. Religions have moral codes but they can also exist outside of religion as well. And Faith can also exist outside of an Organized Religion such as the Catholic Church. You can pray alone or at home in your spare time your own way like ancient Pagans use to do.

Religion is more organized Faith in a higher being.

[Arch-hereticK]

Religion (generally) is a way for governments to trick its people to do what they want them to.

[Adrian]

where is on the list ? I consider religion well

[Poach]

Religion requires either a God(s) or a supernatural force, and a belief in it.

That is all, everything else commonly associated with religion (code of conduct, rituals and any other doctrine etc) arise as a result of the subjects believing said God(s) or supernatural force desire them to implement these doctrine.

[MaximiIian]

Religion requires either a God(s) or a supernatural force, and a belief in it.

Tell that to Jainism, Buddhism, or Confucianism.

[Caliph]

Definition of religion is found in the dictionary.

As for me, religion is:

An absolute truth. If it isn't the truth then I don't want it.

Employs Faith. Religion must employ faith because its claims cannot be proven.

Deity. Doesn't apply to all but belief in a deity is central to religion.

Belief in an afterlife. A religion that doesn't explain the most unknowable of facts, what happens after death, should be considered a philosophy.

Specific ritual. Belief without practice is inherently weaker and just like any other matter in life if not physically practiced in some sort shows a lack of commitment.

[Fiyenyaa]

Tell that to Jainism, Buddhism, or Confucianism.

Are you claiming Jainism and Buddhism have no supernatural elements to them?
The idea of reincarnation is totally supernatural.

[MaximiIian]

Are you claiming Jainism and Buddhism have no supernatural elements to them?
The idea of reincarnation is totally supernatural.

He didn't say supernatural elements, he said supernatural/divine force. Which, to me at least, seems to imply an overt, conscious form of supernatural element. In any case, his statement is wrong. A religion does not have to include supernatural elements. Regardless of what the most prominent examples of religion display.

[Caliph]

He didn't say supernatural elements, he said supernatural/divine force. Which, to me at least, seems to imply an overt, conscious form of supernatural element. In any case, his statement is wrong. A religion does not have to include supernatural elements. Regardless of what the most prominent examples of religion display.

Isn't any claim that cannot be proven supernatural by default?

[Poach]

Tell that to Jainism, Buddhism, or Confucianism.

I understood the option of "Supernatural forces other than dieties" to include things like Buddhism's rebirth cycle and Jainism's concept of achieving a divine state of mind.

It is debatable whether or not Confucianism is actually a religion. It's more of a moral code, a lifestyle.

[MaximiIian]

It is debatable whether or not Confucianism is actually a religion. It's more of a moral code, a lifestyle.

Does it qualify as a religion if it's personal? Wouldn't in essence be someone's personal spirituality?

I don't see any qualitative difference. Between any of these three. I view religion as simply applied philosophy; which would essentially be the same thing as a lifestyle-moral code combination, or set of personal beliefs (spiritual or otherwise).