The word religion may mean several things. It may refer to a set of beliefs, a way of life or a social organization that has religious characteristics. It may also mean a feeling of devotion or loyalty. Finally, it may mean a system of morality. In the past, scholars often used the concept of religion to distinguish it from other forms of social life. They distinguished it from other forms of organized human life by focusing on its role in promoting spiritual and moral well-being, social cohesion and stability, and political control.
Religions vary widely in their beliefs, practices and attitudes. They range from monotheistic faiths like Christianity, Judaism and Islam to Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism and others. Some religions have strong ties to particular geographical areas or to particular ethnic groups. Others are more international. In addition to having a common goal of promoting spiritual and moral well-being, many religions share the function of providing people with meaning and purpose in life, establishing a sense of identity and belonging and providing an explanation for the existence of the universe and mankind’s place within it.
Some religions are characterized by an emphasis on exploration of inner feelings and experiences such as enlightenment, peace, emptiness or Buddha-nature. These are known as inward religions. Other religions, particularly those that believe in the supernatural and afterlife, have an external focus. These are called world religions.
A growing number of scholars have shifted the focus of their definitions of religion away from its substantive aspect and toward its functional aspects. Emile Durkheim emphasized the social functions of religion, and Paul Tillich proposed that we define religion as whatever is one’s ultimate concern (whether or not it involves belief in unusual realities).
The most important function of religion appears to be its ability to provide comfort and hope to billions of people around the globe. According to the Durants, “as long as there is poverty, sickness, old age and sorrow in this world, religion will endure.”
A religion’s moral teachings and beliefs play a key role in shaping a person’s ethical choices. The Durants note that, among the more than ten percent of Americans who are either evangelical Protestants, Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses, about six-in-ten say they rely on religious teachings and beliefs for their moral guidance. In contrast, fewer than half of Catholics, mainline Protestants and Orthodox Christians cite these sources. This suggests that the moral guidance provided by religion is not as influential in the American religious community as it is in some other countries. The question is whether or when the influence of religion will decline further. This will have consequences not only for religious practice but also for society and the human condition as a whole. The future of religion is a matter of great interest to sociologists. It is one of the most controversial issues in contemporary culture.