Religion has very many definitions and versions pronounced by different people at different times in history. Although, broadly speaking religion is a set of beliefs pertaining to the supernatural, sacred or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with these beliefs. Many even refer to it as faith or their belief system. Religion has truly evolved over the years; taking different forms in various cultures and individuals.
If you look close enough, it's difficult to miss the similarities among varied world religions. Whether it is Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, all of them have quite similar ideals of love for yourself and your fellow human beings, ideals of benefiting humanity through spirituality and the prime aim of making their followers into better human beings. All religions teach their followers to tread the path of spirituality and self belief by controlling the undisciplined mind and shunning away selfishness and pretense. All religions preach moral percepts to enhance the functions of your mind, body and essentially the soul.
Many people turn to religion to look for answers, usually in times of distress and suffering. A lot many find solace in the religious preachings of saints and prophets to seek answers for questions that haunt them, like when people are lost and in a messy situation in life. When people go through conflicting relationships and lonely times, they feel why are they existing and turn to religion to seek answers for questions like what is my worth and what am I doing here. Many times this helps, it helps them look beyond and discover true happiness in things that really matter.
In challenging times, people turn to God and it's their faith in Him and his beliefs that gets you through difficult times. Most people see God as a source of love and support. By communicating with God people feel relieved and...