Religion is a social genus found in a variety of cultures and is commonly defined differently by individuals. Some cultures define religion as the belief in disembodied spirits or cosmological orders; other cultures define it as a belief in explicit metaphysics. In any case, there is no one single definition of religion that applies to all cultures.
Origins
Unlike today, ancient civilizations did not develop religions from scratch. In fact, the first religions developed over millennia. Many of these civilizations had large populations before Big Gods began to emerge. These ancestors did not practice fear of divine punishment, which later became the basis of modern religion.
The cognitive basis of religious belief is unclear. Some researchers argue that the earliest humans displayed superstitious behavior, while others point to the role of ritual in social behavior. Archaic hominins, our closest evolutionary relatives, are also thought to have practiced rituals, though evidence of this behavior is lacking.
Characteristics
There are many approaches to defining religion characteristics. Some are monothetic and others are polythetic, but both emphasize the commonalities between religions. The monothetic approach relies on a single property, or set of properties, that all instances of a form share. The polythetic approach, on the other hand, rejects the classical view and treats religion as a prototype structure.
For example, western religions focus on ethical orientation and an eschatological world view, with a paternal, fully external view of God. They also emphasize conformity to the will of god. In western religions, the end of days is considered important, as is the final judgment. Western philosophy, by contrast, seeks to demonstrate truth by action.
Functions
Religion serves multiple functions in society, including creating opportunities for social interaction and group formation. These factors are essential for a stable society, as well as the smooth functioning of law and order. The belief in a higher power and the practice of religion has also been found to make people happier and healthier. In fact, research shows that people who practice religion have higher life expectancies than non-religious individuals.
According to Durkheim, religion has two basic functions: it strengthens social bonds and provides a means of communication. It is also useful in creating community cohesion, as it unites people of different backgrounds and religions during significant events.
Theories of religion
There are several theories of religion, each focusing on different aspects of the phenomenon. Some theories focus more on the content and meaning of religion, while others emphasize the explanatory value of religion. While the two kinds of theories are distinct, they all focus on the importance of the religious experience. It is often both fascinating and frightening. It also focuses on the search for meaning.
Theories of religion focus on the nature of religious beliefs and practices, and whether they are essentially true or not. Some, like the social relational approach, emphasize the social form of religious belief and practice. Theorists like Clifford Geertz and Paul James have developed this approach. They claim that religion is a social system of beliefs and practices that addresses the nature of existence through communion with others. They also argue that religion transcends socially grounded ontologies of time and space.