The word religion probably derives
from the
Latin
word ligare, meaning "to join", "to link" or to bind
(although the
OED describes
this as uncertain). The prefix re- may mean means "back" or
"again", or may be an intensifier, so
religion could be literally translated, variously, as "binding
back", or as re-linking or re-joining, or as "binding strongly".
According to the first interpretation, religion is
understood by many modern English-speakers to mean the reconnection
of human and the alleged
divine.
Accordingly, one might begin by defining religion as a system of
beliefs
based on humanity's attempt to explain the
universe and
natural phenomena,
often involving one or more
deities
or other
supernatural
forces, also requiring or binding adherents to follow religious
obligations. Such a system of beliefs can be distinguished from
branches of
philosophy
such as
metaphysics
which seek to address many of the same questions. In ancient Greece,
and in the Judeo-Christian context, especially later on when
Christianity became the backdrop of European thinkers, a distinct
line was drawn between metaphysics and religion. In the Indian
philosophic tradition, however, religion and philosophy were until
very recently inseparable, especially in
Hinduism and
Buddhism.
Whether or not the
philosophy of religion
is regarded as being part of metaphysics is therefore dependent on
the faith system considered.
Two identifying features of religions are
that to some extent they all (a) require
faith
and (b) seek to organize and influence the thoughts and actions of
their adherents. Because of this, some contend that all religions
are to some degree both
unempirical
and dogmatic and are therefore to be distrusted. A system of thought
that is purely rational would be a
science
rather than a religion, and a system that is not in the least
dogmatic would be unable to guide its adherents in any way. On the
other hand, schools of thought within many religions strive to
embody rationalism (for example, the
Nyaya
school of Hinduism), and many claim to use unimpeachable logic in
defending their dogmatic ontological and moral concepts.
