What is religion?

Systems, beliefs and faiths

Role of religion in our history

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as falls, and by the rulers as useful. – Seneca

Many view religion in the 21st century with suspicion and belive religion to be guilty of disagreements and division of the society. But contrary to intuition, religion has in fact been a great unifier in the span of entire of anthropogenic history apart from money and empires. This metaphysical and superhuman element gives religion the ultimate and superior political and cultural authority in our human society. Religion has helped us fortify our institutions, form bigger connections as a culture and stay united in face of an adverse condition. The belief in fundamental universal laws also strengthens social stability and order and gives us moral and behavioral standards to emulate.

According to dictionary, the official definition of religion is “the system of human norms and values on a belief in a superhuman order”. From animism, to polytheism and atheism there are diverse religious doctrines in our environment presently. The theological evolution has been a defining pattern in our history from conservatism to tolerance to coexistence.

Even great visionary and and leaders like Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru acknowledged the unifying power of religion. He remarked in his extraordinary book, “Discovery of India”, Religion has an element of magic about it and reliance on supernatural and thus it had supplied some deeply felt inner need of human nature.

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