by Judy Merrill

Created on: October 12, 2007

Let's decide what constitutes religion. As a dictionary meaning it comes up with more than one, like most words. Deciding which to apply to any particular religious gathering is a measure of the religion in question.

From the Winston Dictionary:
1. a belief in and worship of God or the supernatural
2. a particular system of faith and worth: The Christian religion, The Buddhist Religion

3. a way of living based on moral beliefs; a philosophy
4. something of great importance in a person's life: The stage was her religion

All religions tend to adhere to 1. a belief in and worship of God as a tenant of their belief system. A belief in a higher power involved in life and living is a part of most people's understanding.

Few deny the existence of God from this perspective. It is sometimes interesting to note the different ideas of who or what God is to help form the religion.

2. addresses that belief system as involved in rules, rituals, theology, dogma, creeds. When we are involved in these aspects, we are a religion.

This where the defined version of God takes up residence. This can be limiting when open minds tend to want to understand and expand their understanding through their religion and its practices. Then the religion will close ranks and eliminate any differences.

3. Outside a particular defined religion, we can make our belief system work based on moral and spiritual standards of conduct. A philosophy of life and living can become our religion as defined in 4.

Taking the definitions of religion into account, there is certainly a truth to religion. Whether it is for the good or ill of human existence, we have formed ourselves into communities of seeking God through our own particular practices.

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