What Is Religion?

Religion is a broad term that covers a range of beliefs and practices. Historically, scholars have used the term to categorize a set of cultural practices that are distinguished by their devotional or contemplative natures and are organized in a particular way. They often involve worship, moral conduct, sacrificial behavior, and participation in institutions. Some have also interpreted religious beliefs as a set of supernatural principles that govern the universe, life after death, and other ultimate concerns. In the twentieth century, scholars have moved away from this type of substantive definition of religion and begun to use it to describe a function that is performed by religious systems—what we call “functional” definitions.

In this context, many scholars define religion as whatever system of belief and practice generates social cohesion and gives a sense of purpose and direction in life. Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx are examples of social theorists who developed these functional definitions of religion in the early twentieth century.

The history of humankind reveals that religion has been a feature of every known society, although the nature of religion differed from one culture to another. Since prehistoric times, people have turned to religions for comfort in the face of death and other life-threatening events, and as a source of hope that life will continue beyond physical death. These beliefs are translated into a worldview that includes stories, rituals, and ceremonies, often with the help of sacred texts and other cultural artifacts.

Many of the earliest religious systems evolved from tribal totems, ancestor worship, and belief in guardian and protective gods. Later, the development of writing allowed for the creation of more complex religious beliefs, including myths, stories of the origins of the world, and tales of a supreme creator who watched over humanity. In addition to these beliefs, some religions developed a moral code that sets forth acceptable and unacceptable ways of living and providing for others.

Whether rooted in superstition, philosophy, or fear of uncontrollable forces, religions have provided a framework within which many of the most important aspects of human life can be understood. They have been a source of peace, but they have also led to wars and persecution of religious minorities throughout the ages. They are a source of spiritual and emotional support, and they can provide an avenue for personal exploration and discovery. Moreover, in their pursuit of truth and meaning, religions offer maps of time and space on a scale that surpasses the mere mortal realm and helps us understand our place in the world. This is why the concept of religion remains so powerful and how it has transformed human life over the centuries. The teeming pluralism of today’s world poses special challenges to religion, even as it continues to shape societies and individual lives. Endless philosophies, ideologies, and truth claims clamor for attention—often magnified by instantaneous media. In such a world, religions must work to keep their followers connected to their community and to the moral guidance that religions have traditionally provided.