religion

religion
Religion is a set of beliefs, symbols, and practices (for example rituals), which is based on the idea of the sacred, and which unites believers into a socioreligious community. The sacred is contrasted with the profane because it involves feelings of awe. Sociologists have defined religion by reference to the sacred rather than to a belief in a god or gods, because it makes social comparison possible; for example, some versions of Buddhism do not involve a belief in God. Some have argued that political ideologies such as communism can be the basis of a civil religion. Religion is also contrasted with magic, because the latter is thought to be individualistic and instrumental. See also invisible religion; new...

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