What is religion?
Religion is not a word that is possible to define in a simple phrase like in a dictionary. With the extensive history behind religion and its many facets, there are many elements of religion that can mean different things to different people. In fact, countless people have tried for many years to develop an all encompassing definition, yet there is still not a widely accepted definition. Before we tackle what religion is, we can start by explaining what it is not. Religion is not a “substitute for reason.” In fact, it is built on reason as I will explain later. Religion has also been linked to nationalism in many ways. While the two share some similarities as noted by Marty, the two are in no way the same thing.
Now let’s attempt to tackle what exactly it is. As I mentioned before, religion doesn’t have a set definition, and it can mean different things to different people. For example, Marty defines religion with 5 features: what we care about, building community, appeals to myth and symbol, enforced by rituals and ceremonies, and demanding certain behaviors from its constituents. This, I believe has merit, yet does not align with my particular definition, which deals with human existence and what purpose humans have on Earth. Another more simple definition stems from the writings of Augustine and St. Anselm. It states that religion is simply “fides quaerens intellectum,” which is all one uninterrupted phrase meaning “faith seeking understanding.” This also makes sense in that religion begins with faith, which you use to seek a greater understanding of the world and the mystery of God or another divine entity. My point of outlining the different points of view is to prove that religion can mean a different thing to everyone. Everyone has a different definition of what it means and what role it plays in the grand scheme of life.
Theology 
Brendan, I really enjoyed reading how you synthesized what we learned in class with Cavanaugh’s article in defining religion as faith seeking understanding. You recognize the merit of Marty’s definition in that religion has five features, but you ultimately conclude that religion has a distinct meaning to every person due to the different roles it plays in everyone’s life. I have to agree that religion plays a different role in everyone’s life and therefore has a different definition, but I would have to add that there are undeniable features of a religion in that it primarily consists of a community, system, organization, or institution that is working towards a common goal, whether that be faith seeking understanding, such as Catholicism, or simply a society living under the dictate of a government.
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Brendan, I like when you described religion as beginning with faith, which you then use to seek a greater understanding of the world and the mystery of god. I agree with you that religion cannot be defined by one definition, and can have different meanings to different people. You mentioned that nationalism and religion are linked, but are in no way the same thing. What are some examples of how they are similar and different?
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