R-1 What Is Religion? Name __________________________
Religion is not easy to define. For many people, religion is an organized form of worship that takes place in
a temple, church, synagogue or mosque. For others, religion is personal, practice in a private way. Religion
depends upon people’s beliefs that one or more gods exist. A god is a being or spirit more capable and
powerful than human beings.
There are people who believe in only one god. There are people who don’t believe in any god, and there are
people who believe in many gods. With so many different views, it’s no wonder that people have been
debating the meaning of the word “religion” for centuries.
One thing we know for certain-religion has been around since the dawn of mankind. In the Stone Age,
people prayed to the spirits of nature. They asked for simple things such as rain or a good hunt. Later,
people moved from nature worship to idol worship. Idols were statues that represented the gods. Ancient
people believed they could influence the gods by offering gifts to their idols. In time, many people rejected
idol worship and new religions were formed.
The root of today’s major religions- Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism,
Buddhism, and Shinto go back thousands of years. Although they differ from each other in many ways, the
major religions have some things in common. The major religions all offer answers to the questions such as,
“What is the meaning of life?” or “Is there life after death?” All of the major religions teach their believers that
life has a purpose. Most religions promise that when death comes, good people will be rewarded and bad
people will be punished.
Another thing most major religions have in common is a belief in some kind of higher, divine (godlike)
power. Monotheistic religions believe there is only one god. Polytheistic religions believe in more than one
god. Religions have rituals to honor, appeal to or serve their god or gods. Rituals include such things as
services, prayers, wedding and funerals. Every major religion has a code of conduct. This is basically a set
of rules to live by. These rules tell people how to act towards each other and how to act towards their god or
gods. Sometimes, these rules even explain things such as what to eat and whom to marry. These things
are often written in sacred books and told in ancient stories.
List 5 characteristics of religions
1. 4.
2. 5.
3.
How is religious liberty legally protected in the United States?
The U.S. Constitution (the Bill of Rights) protects the freedom of religion, allowing people with different
beliefs to live peaceably together. The First Amendment guarantees freedoms of religion, speech,
assembly (getting together), and the right to petition our government (complain to or ask for assistance). It
forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious
practices. The first 16 words of the First Amendment have two protections for religion. The prohibition on
an establishment of religion keeps the government from helping or harming any religion. The protection of
free exercise keeps the government from unnecessarily interfering with religious practice.
The First Amendment keeps government neutral — neither helping nor hurting religion, but allowing people
to practice their religion. Additional protections exist in various federal, state and local laws.
What protects the freedopm of religion in the US? ______________________________________________
What are the 2 ways religion is protected in the US? ____________________________________________
