Religion is a set of beliefs and practices that provide an ethical framework for living. It can be a source of comfort for those who face difficult life circumstances, as well as a way to connect with others who share similar religious beliefs. Many religions also include rituals that help people keep their faith alive. Practicing religion can improve health, learning and economic well-being and reduce the incidence of social pathologies such as out-of-wedlock births, crime and drug and alcohol abuse.
The word religion is derived from the Latin term religio, which roughly means “scrupulousness.” The most widely accepted definition of religion describes human beings’ relation to that which they regard as sacred, absolute, spiritual, or divine. It consists of the way in which they deal with ultimate concerns, such as their fate after death and their place in the universe.
There are two major theories concerning the origin of religion: the biological theory and the cognitive-cultural theory. Those who support the biological theory of religion believe that it evolved as a response to a human being’s becoming self-aware and understanding that they will eventually die. Religion provides a way to avoid this impending doom and offers hope that humans can transcend the physical world into a spiritual reality.
Those who support the cognitive-cultural theory of religion believe that religion emerged as a result of the development of the human brain. Religion was a natural by-product of the cognitive process, which allows us to contemplate the universe and our place within it. In this view, religions are a collection of human responses to these spiritual questions and serve as a coping mechanism for human fear and anxiety.
