[font style="font-family:papyrus,'Brush Script MT','Infindel B',fantasy;" size=4 color=teal]I will get 5 completely different definitions. There does not seem to be one commonly accepted definition.
Given that, I have tried to come up with my own definition. This is my current working definition:[/font]
A way of experiencing or living life based upon some revealed truth about existence.
This revealed truth could be that there exists some deity/deities that has/have a list of dictates that one must follow unless one wishes to become a human smoore over eternal hellfire. Based upon this, and how they view said god(s), one can choose to live one's life in accord with these dictates or to oppose this/these god(s).
Or the revealed truth could be that there is a "rhythm", "flow", or "way" in which the universe works; and by either experiencing or living one's life in harmony (or discord) with said nature of the universe one can achieve good fortune, enlightenment, rebirth in a better world or class, nirvana, or some other desirable outcome.
Or many other examples. The important point being that there needs to be a revealed truths that lead to a certain worldview.
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That said, it does seem to me that a lot of people think that holding any position one way or the other on the existence of deities qualifies as a religion.
That definition does not work for me.
First off, I completely reject the position that atheism (not believing in any gods) is in any way a religion. Similarly, I reject the idea that theism ([font style="font-family:'Impact',''Lucida handwriting','forte',cursive;" size=4 color=crimson]ON ITS OWN
[/font]) is a religion. If simply believing (or not beliving) in something makes it a religion, does that make me a panda-ist because I believe pandas exist? Conversely does that mean that by not believing in Leprechauns I have created a new religion? I think both those positions are ludicrous.
Secondly, that definition fails to take into account all the non-theistic religions in the world. Several versions of eastern religions like Buddhism, Taoism, and Jainism don't really require a belief in gods, yet they are just as real of religions as Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.
I came up with this definition because it takes non-theistic religions into account just as well as the traditional fire-and-brimstone religions; while emphasizing the themes I feel all religions have in common.
Of course, this is all my opinion and I get that I could be wrong or that someone might disagree. [/font]
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