| The world religion is derived from the
Latin noun religion, which denotes both{{U}} (1) {{/U}} observance of
ritual obligations and an inward spirit of reverence. In modern usage, religion
covers a wide spectrum of{{U}} (2) {{/U}}that reflects the enormous
variety of ways the term can be {{U}}(3) {{/U}}. At one extreme, many
committed believers{{U}} (4) {{/U}}only their own tradition as a
religion, understanding expressions such as worship and prayer to refer{{U}}
(5) {{/U}}to the practices of their tradition. They may{{U}} (6)
{{/U}}use vague or idealizing terms in defining religion,{{U}} (7)
{{/U}}, true love of God, or the path of enlightenment. At the other
extreme, religion may be equated with{{U}} (8) {{/U}}, fanaticism, or
wishful thinking. By defining religion as a sacred engagement with what is taken to be a spiritual reality, it is possible to consider the importance of religion in human life without making{{U}} (9) {{/U}}about what is really is or ought to be. Religion is not an object with a single, fixed meaning, or {{U}}(10) {{/U}}a zone with clear boundaries. It is an aspect of human{{U}} (11) {{/U}}that may intersect, incorporate, or transcend other aspects of life and society. Such a definition avoid the drawbacks of{{U}} (12) {{/U}}the investigation of religion to Western or biblical categories{{U}} (13) {{/U}} monotheism or church structure, which are not{{U}} (14) {{/U}}. Religion in this understanding includes a complex of activities that cannot be{{U}} (15) {{/U}}to any single aspect of human experience. It is a part of individual life but also of{{U}} (16) {{/U}} dynamics. Religion includes not only patterns of language and thought. It is sometimes an {{U}}(17) {{/U}}part of a culture. Religious experience may be expressed{{U}} (18) {{/U}}visual symbols, dance and performance, elaborate philosophical systems, legendary and imaginative stories, formal {{U}}(19) {{/U}}, and detailed rules of some ways. There are as many forms of religious expression as there are human cultural{{U}} (20) {{/U}}. |