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What is Religion?

What does it mean for a body of practices/beliefs to be considered a "religion"? Some people claim that a religion is officially recognised once it becomes tax exempt, but this is not true. Any charitable organization can claim tax exemption, and this often includes religious organizations that are serving the community. Just because your organization has been officially recognised as a charity, doesn't make it an "official religion" as there is no such thing as an "official religion" in UK and US law. Religious freedom laws allow individuals to manifest their personal religion, expressing their beliefs, in any way they see fit, so long as they are not in violation of other laws. So, if the law cannot tell us what is and isn't a religion, who can?

The Cambridge dictionary defines religion as "an activity which someone is extremely enthusiastic about and does regularly". The Oxford dictionary says religion is "a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion". The word was first used in Middle English to refer to life under monastic vows, from the Latin "religio" meaning "obligation, bond, reverence", which is based on the Latin "religare" meaning "to bind". What this tells us is that a religion is anything that you have dedicated yourself to pursuing, any lifestyle that you have chosen to follow, anything you feel passionately enough about to commit to. This can be compared with "faith" in the sense that being "faithful" means being "loyal" and "continuing to support or follow something" that you believe in.

So tell me, what is your religion/faith? What is it that you are dedicated to, what have you committed yourself to? What are you willing to give your time and energy to? Nobody has the right to tell you that what you practice is not a "real religion". You don't need to be part of a group (a church, a coven, etc) in order to practice a religion. You don't need anyone else to validate what you feel most strongly about. Your religion is up to you. 

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Comments

  1. Akashic Cosmic Creations21 February 2013 at 15:28

    Interesting, I have several religions if that is the case. Nature, herbs for natural healing and social justice. Thanks for the post, makes you think.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Neopagan Priestess25 February 2013 at 18:39

    I don't know, it seems like there's still something missing there. I am devoted to my family, but that doesn't make them my religion. I am devoted to blogging (haven't missed a day in over two years on my main blog), but don't consider it a religion. Definitely devoted to divination, which comes closer to being a religious pursuit for me, rather than a religion per se. Part of my religion is perhaps my faith in being able to speak with spirit, through the cards...

    Thanks for another thought-provoking post :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown6 March 2013 at 20:02

    Loving your blog you have some fabulous posts here. It's a funny one the whole religion topic, I'm a Pagan as in 'nature is my religion' but I take so much from so many religions, pagan and non pagan, I like not having to define myself and being free to walk my own path!
    blessings to you, Alison xx

    http://www.astartemoonblog.com/

    ReplyDelete

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