Religious zeal calls up feelings of affection; the obtaining of benefits in answer to prayer prompts thankfulness; and the contemplation of Divine power and wisdom arouses awe. But with all this piety, man is frequently conscious of having offended the Deity and thereby of having estranged himself from Him; and this consciousness, whether it be ritual or moral, brings forth feelings of fear and sorrow and leads to a desire for reconciliation.
A corresponding sentiment is man’s awareness of his helplessness in the face of the forces of nature and of his deep-felt need for Divine aid. This is the underlying foundation of religion and is also its chief source of power for good works.
Religion as a whole is the voluntary subjection of man to the free, supernatural Being (or beings) on whom he is conscious of his dependence and in which he recognizes the source of his perfection and happiness. It exists in its highest perfection in heaven, where it is coextensive with the angelic world and the saintly life. It labors under serious defects on earth, however.
It is important to choose resources that explore a variety of religions and provide students with first-hand accounts of what life is like for members of different belief systems. Avoid those that take a standard “dates and doctrine” approach to religion, which may make students think of all believers in a particular faith the same way. Also seek out resources that present a wide range of denominations within a particular religion in order to help students understand the diversity of modern-day beliefs and practices.