What Religion is and how it affects us in our everyday lives, has much been the topic of argument and discussion for as long as man can recall religion being around. For an academic to be able to understand religion it easier to think of it as two types, these are known as definitions. Firstly we have a substantive definition, and then we have a functional definition. The difference between the two is one is narrow and the other is broader, in the first instance this definition tells us that beliefs or practices are, for example prayer in one religion maybe considered highly, yet in another not so. The functional definition tends to focus on the effect that beliefs and practices do for the individual, perhaps to enable people to feel included and have a bonding with others. So with the difference in definitions, how do we try and understand what religion is.
             The religious sociologist Steve Bruce tends to lean toward a substantive definition: Religion then consists of beliefs, actions, and institutions which assume the existence of supernatural entities with powers of action, or impersonal powers or processes possessed of moral purpose. If I were to take a look at the concise oxford dictionary to glean information on the defining points of religion some of the points are (c) one of the prevalent systems of faith and worship.(d) Human recognition of superhuman controlling power and especially of a personal god.
             These definitions are very narrow and prejudiced perhaps because of their leaning towards Christianity, so a dictionary is probably not the best place to look to find an unbiased definition. Religion equates to beliefs, feelings, imaginings that arise in from experience of the sacred and the spiritual. Each religion may have special days allocated to it, such as in Britain as a Christian I celebrate Christmas day, this is also linked inextricably with father Christmas, and the whole idea of Christmas as a holiday have ev...