Characteristics of Religion

Religion is the state of being grasped by an ultimate concern, a concern which qualifies all other concerns as preliminary and which contains the answer to the question of the meaning of our life. As dynamic, living realities, religions help provide meaning for those who follow them. There are many different characteristics of religion that interact to create a dynamic, living religion. Characteristics such as beliefs, sacred texts and rituals are some of many that explore these interactions.

All religions are represented mainly by beliefs and rituals. It is often known that the belief of one God or many Gods define a religion. However, it may not only be the belief in a single ruler such as the Christian and Islamic faiths, but it could also be the belief of having more than one God-like symbol such as the Ancient Greek Polytheism. Christians believe that there is only one God. As it is said in the Bible, God created everything, all that is seen and unseen, and it took only seven days. On the other hand, in the Ancient Greek Polytheism, there were many God and Goddesses in which each individual were responsible for a particular part of nature. For instance, Poseidon, known as the God of the Sea. It was believed that he controlled everything to do with the waters, from the sea to the waves and even the sea creatures. The Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth, the son of God was crucified, suffered death and was buried. And rose again. In many religions, believers attain basic beliefs from sacred texts and writings depending on their