Religion is a group of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that are most often centered on a belief in a personal god or supernatural being. They also include cultural beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, revelations, morals that have spiritual meaning to members of a particular religion, and rituals.
The study of Religion can be divided into two main areas: descriptive and normative inquiries. Normative inquires are concerned with the truth and acceptability of religious claims, values, and other normative aspects; and descriptive inquiries focus on the history, structure, and other observable elements of religion.
Benefits of Religion
Studies show that people who practice religion are less likely to commit crimes, have fewer out-of-wedlock births, lower unemployment rates, and live healthier lives. They also have higher levels of community cohesion and social support for those in need.
Education and Disadvantaged Youth
Regular participation in religious practice improves health, academic achievement, and economic well-being for individuals. It also helps to foster self-control, self-esteem, empathy, and compassion.
Besides the positive effects on individual and family lives, Religion can benefit society at large by improving economic growth and reducing crime and other social problems. It also provides support during times of difficulty, such as the loss of a loved one or job, and can give people a sense of belonging in a larger community.
The concept of Religion is complicated by the fact that the definitions used by different scholars may differ greatly. Moreover, the differences between religions can be significant.