The etymology of the word religion comes from the Latin word “religio” which means “to bind”. The definition in the Oxford Dictionary seems to be doubtful that this is the root of the word, and suggests that perhaps the words means “to reread.” This suggests that the word itself is a matter of debate.

Attempts to describe religion usually suffer from one or two problems. On one hand, religion can be described too narrowly, excluding many beliefs people think religion is. On the other hand, religion can be described too vaguely, leading one to believe that anything can be a religion.

Such problems can be fatal. If religion is described too narrowly, students of religion will miss many facets of what a religion is, and the various types of religious experience

Action or conduct indicating a belief in, reverence for, and desire to please a divine ruling power; the exercise or practice of rites or observances implying this.

• A moral code believed to have a sacred or supernatural basis.

Melford Spiro’s definition is “an institution consisting of culturally patterned interaction with culturally postulated superhuman beings.” Religion and culture are tightly connected, and Spiro’s definition hits that facet of religion right on the spot. It is, however, slightly ambiguous. What or who are the superhuman beings? Do all religions reflect culture?

A particular system of faith and worship.

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