37 of 53

Write now Article Tools

The dictionary defines religion in many ways, there is no true definitive for religion. The Etymology of religion from the Wikipedia says:

The English word religion has been in use since the 13th century, loaned from Anglo-French religiun (11th century), ultimately from the Latin 'religio', "reverence for God or the gods, careful pondering of divine things, piety, the res divinae".[4]

The ultimate origins of Latin religio are obscure. It is usually accepted to derive from ligare "bind, connect"; likely from a prefixed re-ligare, i.e. re (again) + ligare or "to reconnect." This interpretation is favoured by modern scholars such as Tom Harpur and Joseph Campbell, but was made prominent by St. Augustine, following the interpretation of Lactantius. Another possibility is a derivation from a reduplicated *le-ligare. A historical interpretation due to Cicero on the other hand connects lego "read", i.e. re (again) + lego in the sense of "choose", "go over again" or "consider carefully".

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This religion Audio Help (r-lj'n) Pronunciation Key
n.
1.
(a) Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
(b) A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

[Middle English religioun, from Old French religion, from Latin religi, religin-, perhaps from religre, to tie fast; see rely.]

As we read the above and other entries in different places we come to see that though the form taken has predominantly surrounded faith and God, it is by context of its own making a part of life in many other aspects. Which brings me to my thoughts on the question posed.

The question asks, "Should there be no religion?" The question was probably posed as such to alleviate conflict between deities and belief systems containing a God or Gods not realizing that the question has opened up a whole vista of interpretation.

If we take from the dictionary clause 4 - A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion. It mentions nothing about deity, theism or anything else. It renders the term to a personal action in many things. A person following a football team to the point of obsession is in a religion to that person. It was this point that I saw when reading the question. It is this point as to why I chose No' as in reality there is nothing in this life that is not a religion by the shear principle of the word. A scientist, artist, sports fanatic, a chief or a fisherman each has the quality of cause, principle and an activity to pursue with zeal and conscientious devotion.

Though the word maybe new in English standards, its concept and interpretation is not and will always remain a part of mankind's driving force to reach an uncertain, undefined goal.

Source material
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R eligion

Online Dictionary http://dictionary.reference.co m/browse/Religion

Learn more about this author, Paul Bovis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should there be no religion?
We want to hear your view. Write now!