Definitions of religion tend to suffer from one of two problems: they are either too narrow and exclude many belief systems which most agree are religions, or they are too vague and ambiguous, suggesting that just about anything and everything is a religion. A better way to explain the nature of religion is to identify basic characteristics common to religions. These characteristics may be shared with other belief systems, but taken together they make religion distinct.
Read Article: What is Religion? Defining the Characteristics of Religion
I know of/about several secular organizations in the Atlanta area; yet, I am not apart of any of them.
I don’t have anything against the organizations I know of.
However, I was just wondering how many of these characteristics would you apply to an organization to deem it as “religious.”
I know of/about several secular organizations in the Atlanta area; yet, I am not apart of any of them.
I don’t have anything against the organizations I know of.
However, I was just wondering how many of these characteristics would you apply to an organization to deem it as “religious.”
For purposes of debate and discourse I suggest the following definition of (Big R) Reiligion (as opposed to small r religion which includes the derivative “religiously” as in I walk my dog religiously… Every night I put on his leash and walk him a couple blocks.”
Big R Religions (such as Roman Catholicism, or Christianity, or Islam etc.) are defined functionally by there adoption of an “irrational faith” – a belief based on dogma rather than reason and experience.