Religion is the belief system that gives shape to people’s deepest moral beliefs and behaviors. It also binds people together and supports them through the ups and downs of life. It is a source of comfort, strength and guidance, as well as a reason for hope in the face of death and tragedy. Research shows that religious people – defined as those who regularly attend religious services – are healthier than non-religious people.
The word “religion” means relationship to that which is holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. Most cultures have some form of religion that deals with ultimate concerns about life and afterlife. These concern can be expressed as a worship of God, or as a devotion to a particular group of gods or spirits. It can also involve myths, a belief that certain texts have scripture status, and the idea that some people have special powers or abilities.
Anthropologists believe that early religion developed out of people’s efforts to control uncontrollable parts of their environment, such as weather, pregnancy and birth, and success in hunting. Attempts to control these aspects of the environment could be through manipulation, as with magic, or through supplication as with religion.
Sociologists like Durkheim studied religion from the perspective of its societal impact. He argued that religion served many functions: it binds people together (social cohesion), promotes consistency in behavior (social control) and provides strength during life’s tragedies or transitions (meaning and purpose). NCSS continues to advocate for the academic study of religion, including religious diversity and a variety of world religions. Academic approaches to the study of religion encourage awareness of different religious viewpoints, but not the acceptance or promotion of any particular religion.