religons

Religions are organized systems of beliefs, practices, and communities that address questions about ultimate reality, meaning, and purpose. They typically include concepts of the sacred, rites and rituals, ethical codes, and narratives about the origin of the world and the destiny of human beings. Belief can involve gods, spiritual beings, or non-personal ultimate reality, depending on tradition.

Most religions maintain sacred texts or oral traditions, rituals such as worship services or rites of passage, places of worship, and a clergy or lay leadership responsible for guidance and education. Moral teachings often prescribe behavior, while stories and myths provide cosmology and identity for adherents.

Religious landscapes are diverse. Major world traditions include the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, Islam; the Dharmic traditions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism; East Asian philosophies and religions such as Confucianism and Taoism; indigenous and folk religions; and numerous new religious movements. Within and across these traditions, practices and beliefs vary widely by region, culture, and history.

Religion has played a central role in shaping laws, education, art, and social norms, as well as political institutions. It has inspired great works and charitable efforts, but has also been at the center of conflicts and coercion. Interactions among religions and secular thought have influenced dialogue on ethics, human rights, and coexistence.

In contemporary societies, many people identify with a religion, while others are non-religious. Freedom of belief and the separation of church and state are important issues in many countries, shaping education, public rituals, and policy on moral and cultural life.