Religion is the elaboration of a person’s relationship to that which they regard as holy, sacred, ultimate, divine, spiritual, or worthy of especial reverence. It also is the way they deal with their concerns about life, death, and the cosmological order of existence—in some traditions expressed in terms of relations with or attitudes toward gods or spirits; in others, in terms of relationships with or attitudes toward the larger human community or the natural world.
Some scholars have interpreted religion, largely on functional grounds, as something that appears in all cultures. For example, Durkheim defined religion as whatever social function it performs in a society (a definition that does not require belief in unusual realities). Another functional approach is found in Paul Tillich’s (1957) concept of “religion as the dominant concern which organizes a person’s values.”
Many religious practices involve community. They often bring together people who have very different perspectives or backgrounds. In addition, the very act of attending a religious service or gathering exposes individuals to ideas they might not have encountered otherwise. This diversity of viewpoints can be valuable in helping to expand one’s awareness and understanding of the world around them.
Studies have shown that religiosity provides a variety of health benefits, including improved coping with illness and depression and increased social connections. However, there is no need to adhere to a particular organized religion in order to reap these rewards. Research suggests that simply engaging in healthy behaviors and forming strong social networks can provide many of the same benefits that religion does.