Religion is a cultural system of beliefs, practices and values. It is a way of dealing with ultimate concerns such as life after death, morality, the nature and purpose of the universe and one’s place in it, and the meaning of human existence.
A fundamental feature of all religions is the belief in a supernatural being (or beings) with control over the lives and destinies of humans. This is particularly important in lower grades of culture, where man’s knowledge and utilization of natural laws is limited, and he feels his helplessness in the face of forces which are beyond his control. He therefore seeks refuge in the Deity, and a deep-felt need of Divine help lies at the foundation of all religions.
The word “religion” comes from the Latin religiosus, which in its earliest sense meant a binding of oneself to God. In its strictest sense it also refers to a state of poverty, chastity and obedience to which individuals voluntarily bind themselves by more or less solemn vows. This sense of religion is exemplified by the monastic orders of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.
Religious beliefs and practices may be based on a wide variety of theories about the origin and development of religion, but it is generally agreed that they reflect the mental representations of reality of people at particular times and places. They are based on different cultural epochs, and they owe much to different ideas about evolution.
Many theories have been advanced to account for the emergence of religions and of their development, but most of them are not fully satisfactory. For example, the idea that religion arose out of fear is not supported by evidence. Fear, like hope, is a feeling that can inspire people to worship, but it does not explain the recognition of the Deity as such.
Religion is a social institution which serves a number of important purposes, such as promoting social cohesion and stability, providing a basis for moral beliefs and behaviors, and encouraging positive ethical and behavioral habits. It also provides a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and some research has shown that people who are religious tend to have healthier lifestyles than those who are not. There are, however, concerns that some religions may promote intolerance and prejudice and can contribute to violence. Nevertheless, most of the world’s 6.5 billion people participate in some form of religion. It is thus an important part of human civilization. Many of the older world religions have evolved over time, and some newer ones have begun to develop. Some have even merged with one another. All these changes have been accompanied by much controversy.