Religion as recognized as one of the important institution of the society. It involves a system of belief and practices shared by a group of people.

This helps than to explain the purpose of life and to function in the present world using concepts which are supernatural and sacred. In all societies there are rules of behaviour, ideals of perfection, explanation for disasters and illness and theories concerning the origins of the man and the world. Religion consists of beliefs in such forces and activities, which result directly or indirectly from this belief.

Religion has been various defined. Most of the definitions of religion are advanced from the point of view of some particular religion or creed. According to Cicero, religion is a word which is derived from the verb religere i.e. to inflict pains on oneself by means of repeated effort.

Lactantius interpreted religion essentially ‘a bond of piety’ on the objective side religion involves the recurring performance of certain human activities. On the subjective side it is the part of the hidden experience of the psychic life.

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Emile Durkheim says, “Religion is an interdependent system of beliefs and practices regarding things which are sacred that is to set apart, for bidden beliefs and practices, which unite all those who follow them in a single moral community, called church.” Ogburn says “Religion is attitude towards super human powers Religion is an organised effort to make virtue of our ultimate necessities Religion in any society, is the foundation upon which the social values rest.”

Types of Religion:

Like marriage and the family religion is present in every known society. This implies that religion has a long evolution any history.

On the basis of the studies of present day cultures as well as the historical records sociologists have devised a number of ways for classifying religion. One of the simplest and most broadly categorized schemes recognized four major types of religion super naturalism, Animism theism and abstract ideas.

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Super naturalism:

It is a belief system that accepts the existence of impersonal supernatural force that can and often do influence human events.

These forces include both animate and inanimate ate objects. People tress, rocks even spirit and ghosts. They come and go at will”. A less comprehensive and a narrow but more appropriate analogy in many societies is the idea of luck.

Animism:

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It is a belief in animate personalized spirits or ghosts of ancestors that take an interest in human affairs and also try to actively influence them.

Spirits may inhabit the bodies of people and animals as well as inanimate phenomena such as rivers ‘mountain’ and winds.

Theism:

Those who practice theism believe in divine beings. They believe that God and Goddess shape’ and influence human affairs. Gods are powerful beings worthy of being worshipped.

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Most theistic societies practice polytheism. It implies the belief in a number of Gods. Each God and Goddess usually has influence in a particular sphere such as childbirth rain or war. In Hinduism only three religions are known to be monotheistic. They are Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Abstract Ideals:

This type of religion emphasizes not on a belief in super natural forces spirits or supernatural beings but on the abstract ideals of correct ways, of thinking and behaving.

The objective is not to acquire supernatural power, manipulate spirits, or worship Gods but to achieve personal awareness. The ideal is to become one with the universe not through worship or magic but by meditation and correct behaviour.

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It is to be mentioned that despite the marked difference in the their basic assumptions each of these four types of human belief systems is recognized as religion because they all sphere certain basic attributes in common.

Element of Religion:

The elements include rituals, prayer emotion belief and organization.

Ritual and prayer:

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All religion have formalized social rituals many also have private rituals such as prayer. Rituals are religious practices which include viewing and handling objects.

Ritu alike feasting singing kneeling dancing and immersion etc. take place within or organised group. The rituals vary widely from culture to culture and from religion to religion.

Emotion:

One of the-functions of ritual and prayer is to produce an appropriate emotional state. In Some religions the participant performing rituals deliberately attempt to alter their state of consciousness.

It is done-through the use of drugs, fasting, sleep deprivation and in auction of physical pain.

Belief:

All religions endorse a belief system. It usually involves a supernatural order and also often includes a set of values to be applied to daily life. There is variation in belief system of different religions.

Organization:

Most of the religions have an organizational structure. Specialists are recruited and trained by these organizations. This facilitates interaction between the society and the members of the religion.

Religious meetings are conducted under the auspices of the organization. The organization promotes interaction among the members of the religion in order to foster a sense of unity and group solidarity. Rituals are performed in the presence of other members.