Publisher's Synopsis
A religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence.Most religions have narratives, symbols, and sacred histories that aim to explain the meaning of life, the origin of life, or the Universe. People may derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their beliefs about the cosmos and human nature.Many religions have organized behaviors, clergy, a definition of what constitutes adherence or membership holy places, and scriptures. The practice of a religion may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration of a deity, gods, or goddesses, sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture. Religions usually incorporate mythology in their dogma.The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith. However, many experts consider that religion differs from private belief in that religion has a component that is eminently social.The purpose of this series of books is to illuminate the necessity to emphasize our common humanity and eliminate the battles and divisiveness that exist in the ongoing religious struggles.This book is designed to be a reference and provide an overview of the topic and give the reader a structured knowledge to familiarize yourself with the topic at the most affordable price possible.The accuracy and knowledge is of an international viewpoint as the edited articles represent the inputs of many knowledgeable individuals and some of the most current knowledge on the topic, based on the date of publication.
