Brooke Cottam

It is nearly impossible to pinpoint an exact definition that most people can altogether agree on
that best describes the term "religion". This is not only because there are so many different types of
religion but also because there are many different ways to perceive it. And yet, after so many years of
arguing and studying about which definition is best fit, there has yet to be a set statement of meaning. For
instance Dharma in Hinduism. Is Dharma part of the religion, or is it a religion itself? Depending on what
you know about Hinduism could determine your opinion. Dharma means cosmic law and order Along
with the definition it explains life from the very beginning, the way you are supposed to live life, and
what will happen after you die. After reading through an assigned list of numerous definitions that
scholars have suggested to properly fit for the term "religion", I have chosen three that I believe are most
fitting. The first by Patrick H. McNamara, "Try to define religion and you invite an argument." This to me
is a very strong statement about religion because in a way McNamara is saying that there is no use in even
trying to set a definition for religion because everyone feels differently depending on their views and
experiences. And because some of the spiritual experiences that people encounter are so strong, their
feeling towards their religion and beliefs are not to be questioned or argued with. Therefore trying to
completely define the term in your own words is very difficult if not impossible, so instead we use many
different definitions.
The second definition I chose is by, William James and it says, "The very fact that they are so
many and so different from one another is enough to prove that the word 'religion' cannot stand for any
single principle or essence, but is rather a collective name." There are many different religions with many
different ways of worship and practice, and each of these religions worship in different ways. Yet each
one of these no matter how different they are from one another is considered a "religion". So there is no
way of grouping such altered beliefs into one category. We must look for and also notice the similarities
in various practices in able to find certain aspects that allow us to call something a "religion".
The third definition I have chosen is written by, R. Forrester Church. It states, Religion is "our
human response to being alive and having to die" Every religion there is, is based upon living life the way
that your god, gods, or whoever you worship has commanded that you do so. We are supposed to live
righteously or the way we are commanded so that we are blessed in our after life experiences. Every
religion bases their everyday human life and the decisions they make on the way that those decisions will
influence their afterlife. Every religion strives to be the best self that they can be.
All religions are similar but yet very different at the same time. There is and there never will be a
set definition to properly fit the term religion as long as there is such a variety of religious practice, in a
way that everyone can agree on.
In conclusion, Dharma and religion are not the same thing. The concept of Dharma is also used in
Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Dharma has different meaning in each of these religions. Dharma and
religion are similar in the fact that there is no single word definition for either of them. The definitions
depend on the context in which they are being used. Dharma in Hinduism refers to the behaviors of
people in society that guide us in a way to prevent chaos. In Buddhism, Dharma refers to the essence of
the teachings of Buddha and cosmic law and order. Dharma is an important concept in the Indian
religions, the way it is interpreted depends on the person and their specific beliefs.