What is Religion?

What Is Religion?I suppose that my definition of religion is a subjective
Religion has existed for thousand years, but still thereone, because all people are influenced greatly by
is no concise and even accurate definition of religion,socialization processes and accident of birth. Also,
which would reflect the nature of this phenomenon.people who have communicated with their god are
Every person has his own understanding of religionnot merely people who see new truths of which the
interpreting things in a peculiar way. In the world,unbeliever is ignorant; they are individuals who are
there are dozens contemporary religions exist, andstronger, feel more powerful in enduring the trials of
there were dozens of "dead" religions whichexistence, or in conquering them. I suppose that my
disappeared. Nevertheless, it does not diminish theirinterpretation reflects bias, because knowledge of
role in general formation process.the religion is discovered through an understanding of
Taking into account the nature of religion, it isthe whole congeries of social and communal bonds
possible to say that religion is a strict, unwritten codewhich determine character, and this in turn depends
of essential rules (including morals and traditions)on an appreciation religious life. Nevertheless, I do not
established by humans in order to control social life ofbias against any religion seeing it as a part of the
the society.process.
Unity of meaning is the main source that allows theSeeing religion as "an identity presupposed by the
construction and experience of religion. As a collectiveunity" does not limit religion to what it has in the past
sentiment, religion needs to be upheld and reaffirmedallowing to apply this definition to the present. It is
at regular intervals. The concept of religion is not apossible to say that the essence of religion has not
static one evolving during centuries. Egyptian religionbeen changed. Pagan religion or Hinduism share the
or religion of Ancient Greece do not disappear, theysame core structure, but expressed through
transformed and matured, and became the core fordifferent rituals. Ritual plays a crucial role here. In
newly developed religions such as Christianity oressence, there is little difference between different
Catholicism. On the other hand, it is important toreligions in their object, the results which they
underline the fat that understanding of religion is alsoproduce, or the processes employed to attain these
transformed as a person matured. In childhood, weresults. The power of ritual dominates in religion.
believe subconsciously in superficial power of someI suppose that my definition of religion has a
thing beyond our understanding, in adolescencesufficient precision, because I try to be as much
period, we deny everything being unable to joinobjective as possible. I do not account on any
scientific knowledge about the world and unscientificreligion, but interpreted religion as a universal process
knowledge on which religion is based. When webased on "humans beliefs in abnormal phenomenon".
mature, we understand the limits of our science and,To answer the question "What is religion?", I can say
as the most important (if we are not skeptics),that religion is a set of abstract rules for anonymous
develop and coin personal interpretation andagents to live by, but consists of distributive
understanding of religion. This point of view can bepractices, sanctioned by a tradition of behaviour,
supported by numerous example from every day life.within which identifiable agents can achieve some kind
For instance, if you ask truly Christians about theof unity with a social whole that exists apart from
meaning of religion, all of them interpret it differently.their choices. This is a universal approach which helps
It does not mean that they are "poor" believers, butto understand religion as a process free from
it means that life experience and personal valuesprejudices and bias.
have a direct impact on our understanding of religion.