Religion is a remarkably broad term, and it can be difficult to determine precisely what it encompasses. Many scholars define it as a belief in a supernatural or spiritual component that influences an individual’s worldview and dictates his or her behavior. Others, such as sociologists and anthropologists, use the word to describe a system that encompasses beliefs, values, practices, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix. Still others may define it as an adherence to a code of morality and/or the study and interpretation of certain writings, persons, or places that are considered sacred.
A definition of religion must also address how it is to be studied and what it entails. For example, it is important to determine whether a particular practice or belief should be classified as religious in order to understand the role it plays in society. It is also critical to decide what aspects of a religion should be taken into account in a study, such as the rituals and beliefs that are important to its followers. Moreover, the method used to study religion must be determined, as it is important to avoid introducing bias into the research process.
Historically, most definitions of religion have involved a reference to a transcendent supernatural being or force, such as God. For example, the early Protestant social scientist Herbert Kidd defined it as “a system of beliefs and practices that attaches special importance to a supreme being.” In contrast, Emile Durkheim used a functional definition in which the category of religion included whatever set of practices brought people together into a common moral community, regardless of whether those practices included a belief in unusual realities.
As the twentieth century progressed, however, some social scientists began to reject the idea that a religion must include a belief in a supernatural being or force. They argued that this was a “substantive” definition that neglected to take into consideration the fact that religions often provide mechanisms for maintaining personal and interpersonal well-being as well as a basis for moral/ethical and economic/political reasoning.
Then, in the 1980s, a new type of definition emerged that dropped the concept of supernatural beliefs or forces and focused on how a religion functions in a society. This was a more “functional” approach that was influenced by the work of George A. Lindbeck and others. This view of religion defines it as a system of beliefs, values, and experiences that form a person’s primary worldview. It also involves the formation of attitudes and emotions that influence the behavior of the person. It also includes a set of values that guide the person’s interactions with other people and with the environment.
The debate over the best way to define religion continues today. Some scholars argue that it is inappropriate to define religion based on hidden mental states, such as beliefs or feelings, and that focusing on institutions and disciplinary practices will be more useful. Other scholars, such as Charles Cooley, suggest that a working definition should be adopted and that social science should proceed with this definition in mind rather than trying to fashion it after the fact.