Religion is a social system that involves a group of people united by a common belief. It can take many forms. Some examples are Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Taoism and Buddhism. Often it is based on the lives of historical figures. These people are considered to be the subject of worship and are enshrined in the scriptures of the religion.
Religion includes beliefs, ethics, morals and designated behaviors. Religion informs the worldviews, economics and political art of its members. The main purpose of religion is to unite people. However, some people prefer to adopt spirituality instead.
A religious person has an obedient belief system and often follows rituals and rules imposed by a supernatural being. Such individuals might worry about the consequences of their actions after they die. They may also fear judgment if they think of divorce or a spouse who is abusive.
Religious institutions are strict in defining and maintaining the practices of their member. For example, a church member might be hesitant to tell others about an abusive spouse because she might be afraid of judgment.
There are also positive aspects to religion and spirituality. People who are spiritual might find that they have greater mental and physical health, as well as a sense of gratitude. Gratitude can help to buffer stress. In fact, research has shown that a sense of gratitude can reduce the physiological reactivity of individuals towards stressful situations.
A definition of religion can be broad, but it mainly encompasses a social-cultural system that includes all the elements of a system of beliefs. This system can be organized or unorganized, but it usually has specific criteria and codes to follow.