Ma. Jenica B. Lodado March 2, 2009
IV-29 BSE Physics Dr. Roman Q. Guillermo, Jr.
WHAT IS RELIGION?
"Strange potency, this thing we call Religion! It came into man's world untold centuries ago, and it is still in man's world today. It is still there, deep and tremendous: a mighty draught for a mightier thirst, a vast richness to fill a vaster need. No matter where one turns in time or space, there it is inescapably. Wherever there is a man, there seems to be also a spirit or a god; wherever there is human life, there is also faith...
"One wonders about it. What is it, this thing we call Religion? Whence did it come? And why? And how?... What was it yesterday? What is it today? -- And what will it become tomorrow?..."
- Lewis Browne
Since words like "religion" and "spirituality" are used frequently and, at times, almost interchangeably, here on our website and in other places, it seems a good idea to reach some common definition of these terms, or at least an idea of where various definitions might agree and differ. Besides, as Lewis Browne points out, one wonder about it, this thing we call Religion . . .
Basic Definition of Religion
Beginning simply with a dictionary2, we find the following:
Religion: 1. belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshipped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe.
2. expression of this belief in conduct and ritual.
3. (a) any specific system of belief, worship, conduct, etc., often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy; as, the Christian religion, the Buddhist religion, etc.; (b) loosely, any system of beliefs, practices, ethical values, etc. resembling, suggestive of, or likened to such a system; as, humanism is his religion.
4. a state of mind or way of life expressing love and trust in God, and one's will and effort to act according to the will of God, especially within a monastic...