Religion, from the Latin words 'religio' (reverence, obligation, bond) and 'religare' (to bind), is ...

1. Religion - InfoBarrel
Religion, from the Latin words 'religio' (reverence, obligation, bond) and 'religare' (to bind), is the
organized form of belief systems. It binds humans with God(s) by combining doctrine (the teachings
of the respective faith) with rituals (the acting out of this faith). Key points of any religion are the
notion of the 'holy' and 'sacred' and the pointing towards a higher being or force as source and
reason of existence. It includes the belief in and worship of one or more Gods or superhuman forces.
Because of this theistic element in its widest sense, atheism can not, by definition, be a religion. All
religions are theistic to some extent or the other.
Religion is also the general term applied to a belief system. For example, Christianity is a religion
whilst Roman-catholic, Protestant, Orthodox describe different forms of the same religion. In
contrast to this, Christianity and Islam are two different religions.
Religion is and was a transcending factor for the development of the arts, especially for the visual
arts and literature. Many works of art can't be understood fully without knowledge of the religion
that has influenced it. One good example is art in the Islamic context. As Islam, the religion, forbids
the depiction of humans and animals, Islamic art has developed into a highly abstract form that
includes floral, geometric and arabesque elements. Religion becomes so an inherent part of culture.
Religion in our everyday language often refers also to 'world religions', the main belief system
people adhere to. These can be divided in the 'abrahamic or book religions' that encompass
Christianity, Islam and Judaism, together with Baha'i and Rastafari. Indian Religions, i.e. Religions
that have evolved on the Indian subcontinent (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism). Religions of
the Far East (Taoism and Confucianism) and a wide range of different tribal religions. The majority
of people today belongs either to an Abrahamic or Indian religion.
Religion, in summary is the organized form of personal faith, tightly woven into the cultural context
it has evolved from and that it influences in return.