Religion is a set of spiritual and ethical beliefs and rules guiding how one should live his or her life. It includes texts, doctrines, ethics, sanctified places, worldviews, and designated behaviors. The purpose of religion is to unite people who share a common faith.
One’s beliefs in a particular religion may change over time. During a period of study or trial and error, a person can discover his or her own truths and beliefs.
While religion can be a group journey, it is also a personal quest. Having a set of rules to follow can help a person connect with a higher power. Practicing a religious discipline can also be a form of service.
In some African cultures, spirituality is considered a belief system. However, the distinction between spirituality and religion is blurred.
A group’s beliefs are often based on the lives of historical figures. The details of these historical figures have been passed down through written and oral traditions. People also learn their beliefs from parables and through experience.
A religion can have an undercurrent of fear and condemnation. For example, concepts of divine wrath and retribution can cause worry. Similarly, a religion’s concepts of original sin and eternal punishment can lead people to believe that they are not good enough and will not go to heaven.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that people who practice a religious discipline can also be very successful at achieving a sense of inner peace. Likewise, some people prefer spirituality over religion.