Religion is a cultural system of beliefs and practices that provides meaning, purpose and hope to billions of people. It is the source of moral guidance and social stability, and it may motivate individuals to work for positive social change. A wide range of disciplines contribute to the study of religion, including anthropology, history, philosophy, religious studies, sociology and psychology. Many different definitions of religion exist, with some focusing on substantive beliefs and others on functional characteristics.
Sociological functionalist approaches to the concept of religion focus on the ways in which the beliefs and practices of a religion function for its members. Emile Durkheim (see Durkheim, Emile ) was the first to use this approach, and it remains an important way of thinking about religion today. Many functionalists argue that a religion’s beliefs and practices are not sacred in themselves, but become so when they create a community that holds them as special.
Another way to think about religion is through a symbolic interactionist lens. This approach focuses on the ways in which religious beliefs and practices are expressed in everyday life, such as in art, architecture and sacred places. It also considers the emotions and experiences generated by religious rituals and ceremonies, which may include crying, laughing, screaming, trancelike conditions, feelings of oneness with those around you, and so on.
A third way to think about religion is to look at the ways in which it teaches and encourages individuals to behave. For example, most religions have a code of conduct that discourages or allows certain types of behavior. It is this aspect of religion that enables people to live together in peace and harmony.
In addition, a religion may offer an explanation of how the world came to be and what happens when we die. These explanations, sometimes called mythologies or doctrines, may also provide guidelines for moral and ethical behavior.
Finally, some religions have emphasized exploration inward. For instance, some religions have focused on enlightenment, peace, emptiness or Buddha-nature and are known as “inversive” systems.
Despite the waning popularity of religion in many parts of the world, it continues to be an important part of the lives of millions of individuals. Research shows that people who regularly practice a religion tend to have a lower risk of mental illness and report greater well-being. It is possible that this is because they are provided with a sense of hope and purpose, a community, structure, moral guidance and comfort, and encouragement to behave responsibly. The world’s religions have also been the inspiration for some of the most beautiful and timelessly moving of human creations, such as art and architecture, music, dance, drama, poetry, and explorations of the cosmos that eventually issued into what we now call the natural sciences. They are also a rich resource for the spiritual comfort of many of the world’s poorest and most bereaved individuals. This comfort, however, is not without its costs. For some, the supernatural comforts of religion can lead to fanaticism and extremism.