What Is Religion?

A religion can be defined on the basis of how it responds to four primary concerns, four “B’s.” They are “belief, behavior, belonging and being-with.” First, religion establishes a set of “beliefs.” To be an adherent to a particular historic faith, means to believe in or accept certain doctrines. Religionists tend to spend much time here, with the notion of “orthodoxy” or “right belief.” This is also where we devote the most time in disputation and disagreement. Beliefs are an occasion more for divisiveness than inclusiveness. Once we find ourselves apart doctrinally, it becomes all the more difficult to reconnect spiritually.