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| − | "'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives. Morality is often based on religion. Beyond this general definition, the word "religion" is used in several ways:
| + | [[Image:Hitler7.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Adolf Hitler used Religion]] |
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| − | * '''Formal definition''': "The service and worship of [[God]] or the [[supernatural]];"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref> Under this definition, [[atheism]], [[agnosticism]], and [[secular humanism]] are not "religions." <ref>Religious Groups Participating in Religious Congregations & Membership Study 2000. [http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/alldenoms.asp]</ref>.
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| − | * '''Functional definition''': "A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref> By this definition, non-theistic belief systems such as [[atheism]], [[humanism]], and [[agnosticism]] could be considered religions. Indeed, the Supreme Court of the [[United States of America]] has acknowledged that "religion" does not need to include a belief in a god or gods, and included Secular Humanism as an example of a non-theistic religion.<ref>"Among religions in this country which do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God, are Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, Secular Humanism, and others.". [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=367&invol=488#t11 Torcaso v. Watkins, (1961)]</ref><ref>"A federal court of appeals ruled ... Wisconsin prison officials violated an inmate's rights because they did not treat [[atheism]] as a religion." [http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45874 Court rules [[atheism]] a religion] WorldNet Daily</ref>
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| − | * '''Organisational definition''': Under the definition, the term refers to a particular religious organisation or movement, such a [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Methodist|Methodism]], or [[Lutheran]]ism. These groups generally consist of a central creed or body of beliefs, an ethical component (i.e. a code of morals), a body of literature or holy texts or stories, and a set of individual and communal practices. Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I don't go to church—but I believe in God."
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| − | * '''Practical definition''': Under this definition, the term refers to a set of practices, rites, or rituals observed by followers. Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I'm not into rituals. My relationship with God is enough."
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| − | == List of religions ==
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| − | Religions can be classified according to how many gods the religion recognises.
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| − | === Monotheistic religions ===
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| − | Monotheistic ("one god") religions are followed by the vast majority of the world's population.
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| − | * [[Bahá'í]]
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| − | * [[Christianity]]
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| − | * [[Messianic Judaism]]
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| − | * [[Islam]]
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| − | * [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
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| − | * [[Judaism]]
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| − | * [[Rastafari movement]]
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| − | * [[Sikhism]]
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| − | * [[Zoroastrianism]]
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| − | === Polytheistic religions ===
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| − | Polytheistic ("many gods") religions believe in and worship multiple gods or spirits or other supernatural beings. Polytheism has declined since the rise of Christianity, but has seen a recent resurgence among pagan cults in developed nations.
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| − | * [[Cao Dai]]
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| − | * [[Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints|Mormonism]]
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| − | * [[Paganism]]
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| − | * [[Scientology]] {{fact}}
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| − | * [[Shamanism]]
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| − | * [[Shinto]]
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| − | * [[Wicca]]
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| − | === Pantheistic religions ===
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| − | Pantheistic ("all is god") religions believe that all of creation or nature is divine.
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| − | * [[Hinduism]]
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| − | * [[Jainism]]
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| − | * [[New Age]] beliefs
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| − | It is also worth noting the existence of 'Panentheism' and the importance of distinguishing it from Pantheism. Panentheism is the belief that God is ''in'' all things and is chiefly manifest in [[Animism]]. Nonetheless, Pantheism and Panentheism have also been shown to feature in some outlooks generally defined as 'Monotheistic' (cf. [[Baruch Spinoza]]).
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| − | === Non-theistic religions and philosophies===
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| − | Non-theistic religions do not have a belief in God or gods. Some consider the existence of God to be unknown or irrelevant, while (strong) [[Atheism]] is the belief that asserts it is false.
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| − | * [[Agnostic]]ism
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| − | * [[Atheism]]
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| − | ** [[Strong atheism]]
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| − | ** [[Weak atheism]]
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| − | * [[Buddhism]] (though with elements of [[Pantheism]])
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| − | * [[Secular Humanism]]
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| − | === Parody and joke religions ===
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| − | Several "religions" have been invented in an effort to denigrate or parody traditional religions. As a rule, these religions do not have followers who actually believe the tenets of the religions.
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| − | * [[Flying Spaghetti Monster|The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster]]
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| − | * [[Discordianism]]
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| − | * [[Jedi]]
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| − | * [[Last Thursdayism]]
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| − | * [[Church of the SubGenius|SubGeniism]]
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| − | == Faith in organised religion ==
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| − | The percentage of respondents answering they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in organised religion has decreased in the [[United States]] according to a [[Gallup]] poll taken in 2007. Only 46% of respondents selected either of the choices above. The numbers peaked at 68% in May 1975.<ref>Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg. 24</ref>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | ==See Also==
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| − | * [[World Religions by Number of Followers]]
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| − | ==External Links==
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| − | *[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/religion/ What Liberals Say - Category: Religion], [[Accuracy In Media]]
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| − | [[Category:Religion]]
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