What is the defintion of religion
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What is the definition of the term "religion"? It is almost impossible to find a satisfactory definition of religion or a realistic way of classifying the various kinds of so-called religion because of the important differences of function among the various systems known. However, among the many definitions there are of "religion" I have found two that I think sum up what religion actually is and they are:
1. Religion is the way of life or belief based on a person's ultimate relation to the universe or God. In this sense such diverse systems as Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Shinto may be considered religions. In a more commonly accepted sense, however, the term religion refers to faith in a divinely created order of the world, agreement with which is the means of salvation for a community and thus for each individual who has a role in that community (Encarta 95).
2. Religion originates in an attempt to represent and order beliefs, feelings, imaginings and actions that arise in response to direct experience of the sacred and the spiritual. As this attempt expands in its formulation and elaboration, it becomes a process that creates meaning for itself on a sustaining basis, in terms of both its originating experiences and its own continuing responses (http://www.darc...