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4.2
The concept of religion
 
  The word religion, used in English to describe "all systems of worship, ritual and sacred texts" comes from the Latin root religio meaning "obligation (as an oath), bond between man and the gods, scruples, reverence for the gods."  
  Hence, the modern generalized version of the word, meaning "A particular system of faith or worship", and "Action or conduct indicating a belief, reverence for and desire to please a divine ruling power; the exercise or practice of rites or observances of this."  
  As simple and common sense as these definitions of the word "religion" appear, they are in fact the starting point of the common themes of every single religion that has ever existed on the planet. These literal implications are the foundations upon which each and every religion is based.  
  1st literal implication of the word "religion" - The existence of supernatural being/force or beings/forces  
  By definition, the word religion outlines the first and most important belief of all religions of human history- the existence of supernatural being/force or beings/forces greater than the force/capability of the human being.  
  Historically all religions fall into one of four major categories according to dimension and the scope of the powers of the supernatural being(s)/force(s) they define:  
  Absolutheism  
  The belief that there is only one absolute being represented by the class of all things (including the Universe(s) being a sub-segment of the absolute) and humanity. Absolutheism also allows for various smaller classes of things to all possess superior position/qualities than human beings, e.g. The Universe, The Galaxy, The Planet. Many ancient cultures (e.g. Brahmans, Hermetic School) worship a form of absolutetheism, with particular focus on the divinity of the Earth as the most significant point of worship and understanding.  
  Monotheism  
  The belief that there is only one supreme being (by definition the only one). While Monotheism states there is only one, most monotheistic religions fail to define the one as the class of all things, rather the one remaining a sub segment of all things, thus implying a greater force/being. E.g. God in heaven implies God is a sub segment of Heaven, which is a sub segment of Universe of all things. Monotheistic religions are by definition, smaller in scope and more localized than absolutetheistic religions. Modern Judaism and Islam (the three largest religions on planet Earth) are all examples of monotheistic religions.  
  Pantheism  
  The belief that there are many beings/forces existing in some hierarchy and order of power. Interestingly, a number of pantheistic religions nominate one being as the class of all things, while the others are a sub segment of all things, remaining superior to human beings. Almost all of the ancient religions older than 3000 years were pantheistic based ( e.g. Egyptians, Sumerians, Sth Americans, Sumerians, Akkadians and even ancient mystic Judaistic school. By definition, Pantheistic religions are the most localized of all three major classes of religions. As evidenced by Modern Hinduism, Gods can be as localized as geographic regions.  
  Mono-Pantheism  
  The belief that there is only one supreme being (by definition the only one) but that there is also higher beings (archangels and angels). While Monotheism states there is only one, most mono-pantheistic religions fail to define the one as the class of all things, rather the one remaining a sub segment of all things, thus implying a greater force/being. E.g. God in heaven implies God is a sub segment of Heaven, which is a sub segment of Universe of all things. Mono-Pantheistic religions are attractive because of the combined philosophies of both monotheism and pantheism. Christianity is a mono-pantheistic religion. This is why Christianity has dominated and been able to destroy so many competitors because it appeals to both monotheistic and pantheistic groups.  
  Absolute-Mono-Pantheism  
  There has never been an absolute-mono-pantheistic religion in human history. This is probably due to the extreme difficulty on constructing any kind of coherent belief system on the premise that the universe is absolute, a monotheistic deity exists in some pantheistic descending order. In effect, absolute-mono-pantheism would be the "perfect" religion, and the most powerful religion ever devised except no individual or group has been capable of presenting such a philosophy.  
  2nd literal implication of the word "religion" - Human beings are less than the supernatural being/force or beings/forces  
  By definition, the word religion implies the existence of some arrangement of supernatural beings(s)/forces(s) ( i.e. monotheism, pantheism) and by implication two points of profound importance can be stated:  
  1. These powers are superior to mankind and always will be ( by definition)  
  2. Mankind is a subject to these powers from which they cannot escape  
  Thus all religions by definition consider human beings less and always will be less than the being(s)/force(s) that they define. Depending on the structure and beliefs of the various religions, this position in the scheme of life has varied from virtual cannon fodder to "the chosen people".  
  Importantly, this hierarchy of power is critically important as the prime model of "lord", "subject", the basis of all systems of control and obedience throughout the human race from the military, politics, to royal authority.  
  3rd literal implication of the word "religion" - The incidence of contact between the supernatural being/force or beings/forces and certain human beings  
  The 3rd literal implication of the word religion by definition is the requirement for there to have been some history of contact between the supernatural being/force or beings/forces and certain human beings. After all, there can by definition be no covenant if there has been no relationship and no relationship without contact.  
  By definition of the 2nd literal implication, "lord" and "subject", contact is typically considered to be at the prerogative of the God(s), not the other way around. Therefore human beings who have been contacted by a particular religion's God(s) are traditionally venerated as special human beings, chosen by God(s). The words Christos ("anointed one"), Prophet ("interpreter, spokesman of the will of a God(s)") and Messiah ("anointed one") and many other labels have been placed on these people that various religions believe were the chosen messengers of the God(s).  
  Because of the obvious importance religions place on messages from their particular God(s), all religions have relied on certain "signs" and systems to sort between "true" messages and "false" messages. Typically, this has operated under only four methods:  
 
trial- the testing of a messenger by some previous criteria to seek the invocation of divine intervention to their aid, thus establishing their credibility;
prophecy- the forward projection by an established credible source of future signs by which a true messenger may be identified; and
birthright/bloodline- the belief that certain bloodlines have been chosen in perpetuation to "lead" and instruct the people on the message of the relevant religion's God(s).
Possession/position of holy objects- the belief that certain objects are endowed with divine power and that those in legitimate possession position automatically become the mouthpiece of the message (e.g. traditional priest castes, emperors etc.).
 
  Most religions have employed all four methods in some manner throughout their history.  
  4th literal implication of the word "religion" - The existence of documentation as the basis of a pact/covenant/oath/bond between the god(s) and humanity  
  The 4th literal implication of the word "religion" by definition is the existence of documentation as the basis of a pact/covenant/oath/bond between the god(s) and humanity.  
  This implies that the words transmitted by humans from their respective "God(s)" exist in some coherent form and text- thus the central importance of sacred texts to all major religions. To the Jews it was the Ten Commandments, the basis of their covenant with YHWH. To the Christians it was the symbol of the Eucharist (symbolic Passover meal) as the basis of their covenant, and so on.  
  Covenant/Pact/Oath also implies an exchange of agreement- not one way. I.e. for our devotion and gratitude, the God(s) will protect us etc. Thus the agreement of the Ten Commandments was the agreement for the Jewish homeland and protection, the covenant of Christ is supposed to be the opportunity for eternal life, etc.  
  The concept of a covenant/agreement is critically important, not only in establishing a powerful message, but an instrument of power in itself in that it represents the religions legitimacy in reference to other religions. Therefore religions that possess "expansionist" covenants such as Christianity and Islam, the belief in a legitimate covenant has been the basis of active and passive conversion to their respective religions since their creation.  
  A divine covenant also implies by definition divine rules, which of their nature must be superior to human rules. Therefore divine law is the most fundamental basis of all human law and has been since the inception of all civilizations. That is why in Western Society, the swearing allegiance/oath to the Bible is so important, for it is the visual and verbal reference to the existence of a covenant with rules, that take precedence and basis of all human law.  
  5th literal implication of the word "religion" - The continued existence of authority, administration to maintain devotion to pact/covenant/oath/bond between the god(s) and humanity  
  Given the previous implications, by definition the word religion implies that some apparatus of authority must continue, in order to maintain the devotion/pact/covenant between the specific God(s) and humanity.  
  Thus all religious administrations can justify their existence by virtue of the existence of some covenant between God(s) and humanity. They are the keepers, the protectors and interpreters of this legacy.  
  This opens up the door to the interesting concept that historically once "messengers" have established a platform believed by others to be a basis of worship, their continued existence in fact counters the authority of the church apparatus. A messenger takes precedence over church officials. It is not surprising then that almost all religions have emerged within their early years between the struggle of those that provide the message of God(s) and those that administer it.  
  Without new messages, most religions eventually wither and die. However, without strong administrations, a religion can quickly fragment into warring camps and conflicting messages. The Roman catholic Church for example is at a point whereby the administration overwhelmingly holds sway at the expense of Catholics who believe that legitimate messengers of their religion exist and are speaking now.  
  6th literal implication of the word "religion" - Specific rituals, devotions, actions, conduct that are pleasing to God(s) and those that are not  
  The 6th and final literal implication of the word "religion" by definition is that there are certain rituals, devotions, actions and conduct that is pleasing to the God(s) and those that are not.  
  Unlike the covenant, rituals, devotions and actions relates specifically to the behaviour of the members of the particular religion. Therefore these fall under the correct procedures and so "administrative" power of the relevant religious organization.  
  The more strict the interpretation of action that is pleasing, and not pleasing, the more power the religious organization potentially has in the lives of its followers. The less rules that are provided on proper conduct the less powerful.  
  Importantly, it is not necessarily whether the rules are followed fully or not, for many rules by an administration may merely be devices to establish its authority, rather than God(s) law. The Roman Catholic administration's interpretation on priest celibacy, fish on Friday's, and even contraception are all classic examples of when administrations lose touch with the original precepts of the covenant of the religion in the first place.  
  The 6 most important and most common features of all religions  
  Therefore by investigating the word religion itself, we see that the 6 most important and common themes are built into the word.  
  Quite possibly, this gives us some clues as to the extraordinary importance and influence that religions have then had on the lives of each and every generation of human beings since the inception of the first civilizations.  
 
 
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