Religion is a socially constructed concept that allows us to classify the range of human pursuits. It is not, as many people assume, a collection of specific beliefs or practices. There is no one-size-fits-all religion but rather a spectrum of activities that varies by culture, time and place. Consequently, the term is not as useful in an academic context as it might seem to be because stipulative definitions of religion tend to be controversial.
Nevertheless, the concept of religion has evolved and expanded over the years as more and more activities have been identified as being religious. The widening of the semantic range is a consequence of a number of factors, but perhaps most importantly it reflects the growing recognition that all human activity is a form of religion in some way.
For many people, religious activity is a means of finding fulfillment in life. It provides a framework for evaluating decisions, and a set of guidelines for what is considered morally right or wrong. This can be seen in many different religions, from a strict adherence to a code of conduct (ethics) to the desire to achieve peace and happiness in this life and beyond (eschatology).
Ultimately, however, no human experience is exclusive to any particular religion. It is not a question of whether or not humans are capable of being religious but rather about what kinds of religious experience are possible and which are most beneficial to our well-being.
Religions may be highly organized and hierarchical, with a central authority and clear system of priests, bishops, cardinals, etc. They may also be large-scale and loosely structured with a wide variety of subsystems centered on gurus, temples, shrines and the like. In either case, their function is the same: to protect a set of values that is vitally important to human existence.
These values are the means by which a person’s proximate and ultimate goals can be fulfilled. Proximate goals are those in this world, such as success in business or a fulfilling relationship, while ultimate goals are the things that truly bring meaning and purpose to life. Religions are therefore the systems that protect and transmit this information.
For those that believe in reincarnation or karma, the ultimate goal is the attainment of freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth. This is a goal that requires a great deal of self-denial and can be very difficult to achieve, even for those who have been born into the religion. However, for those that have attained this state of consciousness, it is a liberating and joyful experience. The fact that religions offer these goals to a vast majority of the world’s population makes them worthy of consideration as one of mankind’s most important achievements. It is a shame, then, that so much of the world’s population considers religion to be harmful or oppressive. Hopefully, with increased education and awareness, these prejudices will diminish. In the meantime, it is imperative that we take care not to let a few unfortunate incidents detract from what religions represent to the majority of humankind.