Religion is a group of beliefs and practices that humans use to make sense of their existence. Often, religions involve beliefs about the nature and purpose of the universe and how people should live their lives.
There are many different religions, all of which offer a unique perspective on the world and the role of God in it. Despite the diversity of beliefs, religions generally share a few common traits that are thought to be necessary for them to function.
Symbolic interaction
Religious rituals and ceremonies can be deeply intense, include crying, laughing, screaming, trancelike conditions, and emotional connections with others. For some people, such experiences can be life-changing and provide a way to connect with the divine.
Social cohesion
Religion ideally binds people together, promotes consistency in behaviour, and provides strength during times of tragedy. It also offers meaning and purpose, reinforces social stability, and may motivate people to work for positive social change.
Material dimension
Although the three-sided model of the true, the beautiful, and the good is a classic account of what any social group explicitly and implicitly teaches, there is one aspect of human life that has not been accounted for. It is the contribution of the bodies, habits, physical culture, and social structures of those who belong to the group.
In addition to the dimensions described above, researchers have identified a further dimension of religion: that of its materiality. This dimension has largely been neglected by historians, but it is crucial to a complete understanding of the ways in which religions evolve and interact.