
From deisenst@coin.org Wed Mar 21 11:25:03 2001
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 02:11:38 -0600 (CST)
From: "David D. Eisenstein" <deisenst@coin.org>
To: "Cheryl L. Hill" <cheryllhill@yahoo.com>
Cc: Habadasher Soup -- David Ackerman <david_ackerman@yahoo.com>,
    Jeff Brotemarkle <jbrotema@coin.org>, Kelly Lasiter <kcl78@yahoo.com>,
    Lucrecia Culberson <lculbe6495@aol.com>,
    "Rev. Rhymes Moncure" <RevRhy@aol.com>, Val Hinshaw <vhinshaw@coin.org>
Subject: A definition of religion

Cheryl, (and Habadashers):

Earlier this evening we were speaking of the definition of the word
"religion."  Here is a fascinating definition I found from Noah Webster's
1828 Dictionary, from website <http://www.christiantech.com/>:

It seems interesting that religion and ligament both come from some
similar roots -- both from ligo, "to bind."

------------

RELIGION, n. relij'on. [L. religio, from religo, to bind anew; re and
ligo, to bind. This word seems originally to have signified an oath or vow
to the gods, or the obligation of such an oath or vow, which was held very
sacred by the Romans.]


1. Religion, in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the
being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in
man's obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and
punishment, and in man's accountableness to God; and also true godliness
or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore
comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as
practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a
divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not
religion.


2. Religion, as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in
practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our
fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his
law. James 1.


3. Religion, as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the
performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of
obedience to his will.  Hence we often speak of religion and virtue, as
different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second
tables of the law. 

Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be
maintained without religion. 


4. Any system of faith and worship.  In this sense, religion comprehends
the belief and worship of pagans and Mohammedans, as well as of
christians; any religion consisting in the belief of a superior power or
powers governing the world, and in the worship of such power or powers. 
Thus we speak of the religion of the Turks, of the Hindoos, of the
Indians, &c.  as well as of the christian religion. We speak of false
religion, as well as of true religion.


5. The rites of religion; in the plural. 

