Religion

Religion
Religion has been one of the most studied aspects of non-western societies, not because other people are more religious than we are, but rather because their religious behavior is not clearly divided from other aspects of their life, and thus it is hard to study any aspect of their life without touching on religion. We usually distinguish between religion, which is a belief system that explains the social and spiritual order: magic and attempt to manipulate the forces of nature; and science, which is based on experiment and does not call on supernatural powers. Religion, magic, and science exist together in all societies.

Religion exists in a social context – that is, religious beliefs are an expression of the way people order their lives. It is also a way of dividing up the universe into things sacred and things profane, and thereby setting apart those elements that are considered special. Religion also imposes a moral pressure on people to act in accordance with what is believed to be right and proper.

One of the most basic religion beliefs is the attribution of a spirit or soul to all living things, called animism. Usually this takes the form of a belief in two separate beings, one tangible and earthly, the other intangible and spiritual. Another common belief is in the concept of supernatural power, often uncontrollable, which we call mana. This concept is linked to that of taboo, a restriction on behavior to avoid contact with such power or to avoid certain actions that would cause the power to work against oneself. Religious belief are created and sustained by myths, or sacred stores that contain explanations of how things came to be the way they are and how they should be maintained. Myths are accepted on faith and need not be proved in order to be considered valid.
Religion