Religion
hideA religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendent quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, God or gods, or ultimate truth. It may be expressed through prayer, ritual, meditation, music and art, among other things. It may focus on specific supernatural, metaphysical, and moral claims about reality (the cosmos and human nature) which may yield a set of religious laws, ethics, and a particular lifestyle. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and religious experience.
The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction. "Religion" is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system," but it is more socially defined than personal convictions, and it entails specific behaviors, respectively.
The development of religion has taken many forms in various cultures. It considers psychological and social roots, along with origins and historical development.
In the frame of western religious thought, religions present a common quality, the "hallmark of patriarchal religious thought": the division of the world in two comprehensive domains, one sacred, the other profane. Religion is often described as a communal system for the coherence of belief focusing on a system of thought, unseen being, person, or object, that is considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine, or of the highest truth. Moral codes, practices, values, institutions, tradition, rituals, and scriptures are often traditionally associated with the core belief, and these may have some overlap with concepts in secular philosophy. Religion is also often described as a "way of life" or a life stance.
For more information about Religion, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with religion
For nano, religion in US dictates a wary view
Dec 07, 2008 |
3.7 / 5 (44) |
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When it comes to the world of the very, very small — nanotechnology — Americans have a big problem: Nano and its capacity to alter the fundamentals of nature, it seems, are failing the moral litmus test of religion.
MU anthropologist develops new approach to explain religious behavior
Sep 09, 2008 |
4.5 / 5 (20) |
0
Without a way to measure religious beliefs, anthropologists have had difficulty studying religion. Now, two anthropologists from the University of Missouri and Arizona State University have developed a new approach to study ...
Growth in number of Americans citing no religion may be slower than previously reported
Other Sciences / Social Sciences
Aug 09, 2009 |
4.4 / 5 (5) |
2
Americans continue to pull away from organized religion, but the rate of departure previously reported may not have been as abrupt as originally thought, according to research to be presented at the 104th annual meeting of ...
Life lessons: Where psychology stands on living well
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Jul 22, 2009 |
3.2 / 5 (6) |
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Unfortunately for us, there is no formula for fulfillment or guide to life satisfaction; however, humans have turned to philosophy, religion and science time and again for answers to our existential questions. We may have ...
Vatican searches for extra-terrestrial life
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 10, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (4) |
1
Is there life on other planets? The Vatican has asked that age-old question over the past five days during a "study week" on astrobiology gathering leading scientists from around the world.
Bedrock of a holy city: the historical importance of Jerusalem's geology
Space & Earth / Earth Sciences
Oct 19, 2009 |
3.8 / 5 (4) |
1
Jerusalem's geology has been crucial in molding it into one of the most religiously important cities on the planet, according to a new study.
Houses of the rising sun: Research sheds new light on Ancient Greeks
Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils
Nov 25, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (3) |
3
New research at the University of Leicester has identified scores of Sicilian temples built to face the rising Sun, shedding light on the practices of the Ancient Greeks.
Religion and medicine: Sometimes a healing prescription
Other Sciences / Social Sciences
Nov 04, 2009 |
4 / 5 (2) |
1
Do pediatric oncologists feel that religion is a bridge or a barrier to their work? Or do they feel it can be either, depending on whether their patients are recovering or deteriorating? A novel Brandeis University study ...
Professor analyzes if Montreal Canadiens are a hockey team or religion
Feb 06, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
1
Since January 2009, Olivier Bauer has pioneered the world's first course examining the link between hockey and religion. As a professor at the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Theology, he also just compiled ...
Delinquent acts less likely for youths from religious-centered, two-parent homes
Other Sciences / Social Sciences
Jun 25, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
3
(PhysOrg.com) -- A committed two-adult household with strong religious values may reduce the likelihood that youths will commit acts such as assault, vandalism and theft throughout adolescence and into early adulthood, says ...
The Church is still popular
Other Sciences / Social Sciences
Oct 07, 2009 |
1 / 5 (3) |
0
Despite decline in numbers of worshippers and increased secularisation the church is still valued and appreciated as an institution which protects and preserves common values in the public sphere. This has been shown by sociologist ...
Appalachian history gives new perspective of how workers view jobs
Feb 23, 2009 |
not rated yet |
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A preacher addresses a group of men in a town church in eastern Kentucky, but this gathering is not to hear a sermon. Instead, it is a meeting of a coal miners' union. By studying coal miners and farmers during the early ...
Vast majority of physicians satisfied with hospital chaplain services
Oct 26, 2009 |
not rated yet |
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A national survey of physicians' experience with hospital chaplains found that the vast majority of doctors were satisfied with the spiritual services provided. Physicians in the Northeast and those with a dim view of religion's ...
Rice sociologist looks at pediatric physicians' views on religion, spirituality
Other Sciences / Social Sciences
Nov 11, 2009 |
not rated yet |
6
(PhysOrg.com) -- Pediatricians and pediatric oncologists express differing views on religion and spirituality, largely based on the types of patients they treat, according to a survey that will appear in the current edition ...
