Definition
In the contemporary world, religion is defined as “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods” (Religion, 2015). Regardless of being such an all-consuming and well-spread concept, religion is often treated as a variety of different notions. For example, the word “religion” may be used in general sense in reference to a culture or a nation and their most popular religious confessions and practices, and also as an individual worldview that is unique for each particular person. This way, apart from the traditional and general ideas about religions and what they include, each individual has their own point of view on spirituality and the divine. Besides, even the people who formally belong to particular religious confessions have very different attitudes towards them. For instance, each religious community consists of the individual who strictly follows the rules outlined in their holy books and the individuals who do not take religion seriously and do not practice the rituals specific for it.
Common Practices across Various Religions
Each religion relies on a set of standard ideas that are common for most confessions and cultures. Among the central religious concepts, there are a concept of God (one or several), the notion of good and evil, the afterlife (what happens to people after they pass away), the idea of creation (the beginning of everything that is explained differently by each religion), sin and virtue (the knowledge of what can and cannot be done, behaviors that are either appreciated and encouraged or forbidden by a particular religion) (Basic Religious Concepts, n. d.).
In addition, all of the world’s religions – modern and ancient – are known to generate sacred objects and shrines. The most common religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, have temples, churches, cathedrals, and mosques. Besides, the tradition of pilgrimage (a journey to a shrine located far away) is typical for all of these religions. As for the less common religions such as the indigenous ones, they are recognized by the use of holy objects such as idols, totems, charms, and artifacts (Indigenous Religions, 2007). These objects and their meanings are very similar to the statues and paintings of divine beings used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.
Critical Issues in the Academic Study of Religion
In spite of the fact that it is commonly believed that in the modern world religion is outdated and outran by science, it still has an enormous impact on the society that is perceived to be stronger than in the ancient times when science was not as strong (Religious Studies, 2015). Ancient and modern religions of the world are studied by a wide range of scholars and studies. For instance, Linguists, Psychologists, Historians, and Anthropologists are interested in the development of religions through time, their transformation under the influence of people, their impact on the cultures, behaviors, and social norms (Religion & Rituals, n. d.). Among the most critical issues debated within the religious perspectives today are the tensions between the Middle East and the Western world, the questions of pregnancy termination and birth control, the correlation or independence between the church and the state, the fairness and possibility of death sentences, and the perspectives on the theories of evolution and creation (Religious Studies, 2015).
Conclusion
To sum up, religion is and has always been one of the most powerful and persistent forces impacting our society. It is the source and object of multiple debates and is worth studying from the scientific point of view as it contains the answers to a variety of environmental, societal, and developmental aspects of different communities.
Reference List
Basic Religious Concepts. (n. d.). Web.
Indigenous Religions. (2007). Web.
Religion. (2015). Web.
Religion & Rituals, (n. d.). Web.
Religious Studies, (2015). Web.