Religion is a set of beliefs about the universe and the purpose of life, usually involving devotional and ritual observances. It includes a moral code and often a promise of an afterlife.
A religious experience provides a positive goal in life, especially when the world around you is filled with so many challenges and hardships. This sense of belonging to a group, which is often very tight-knit, gives people a framework within which to cope with their lives.
Psychologists argue that religion answers emotional and psychological needs in humans, such as the fear of death or the need for a higher spiritual experience than is offered by the everyday world. It also provides a sense of order, which is particularly important for young children growing up in the world.
The main problem with defining religion is that there are so many different kinds of religious beliefs and practices worldwide, which makes it difficult to come up with a universally acceptable definition. Some definitions exclude certain types of beliefs and practices, such as those based on personal deities or supernatural entities, while others include everything from astrology to mystical religions.
