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Definition:
The term religion comes from the Latin religare, which means to tie or to
bind. Religions are belief systems rather than individual discreet beliefs. How
religions should be characterized and differentiated from all the other types of belief
systems which people have is a matter of great debate.
The secular study of religion, which largely began in the 19th Century, has provided a lot of information about human religions and the various ways in which they are similar. Different researchers focus upon psychological, social, and supernatural causes for religious beliefs.
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What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.
