Religion can be defined differently, narrowly, or broadly... in many ways.
Because some religious people are dedicated and zealous, though, I would hesitate to call anything that people are dedicated and zealous about like a religion. Some people are dedicated to football, cards, cards, dogs, gardening, etc. (all things that are beyond oneself).... but I see those things as very much removed from religion.
A dedicated and zealous communist may work assiduously to eradicate religion. I do think the meaning of the word has evolved a lot in the last thousand years.
These statements make sense to me:
1. Catholicism is a religion.
2. Agnosticism is the state of ignorance about the existence of a supernatural being... there is no creed beyond that, no organization, nothing worshipped... none of the trappings or foundations of religion.
3. And atheism even more so.
4. A religion is an organization with dogmatic creed designed to codify beliefs in supernatural beings.
I am not religious, but I am not ashamed that my grandfather was a Baptist preacher, that my uncle was a Methodist minister, and that members of my family have been active in churches. I think my cousin Richard may be a minister. I'd like to correspond with him, but I fear that he is too busy.
Relgious people have done good as well as evil.
Not all Christians are killers and haters and hypocrites.
Not all Muslims are terrorist.
Not all Hindus are assassins.
Not all Buddhists are nonproductive.
Not all Shintoists are disconnected.
Not all Baha'ists wear flowers in their hair.
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