The study of religion in an age of global dialogue

by Leonard J Swidler

Religion is the most fundamental, comprehensive of all human activities. It tries to make sense out of not simply one or another aspect of human life, but of all aspects of human experience. At the core of every civilization lies its religion, which both reflects and shapes it. Thus, if we wish to understand human life in general and our specific culture and history, we need to understand religion.What is religion? Religion is an explanation of the ultimate meaning of life, and how to live accordingly; based on a notion of the Transcendent. Normally it contains the four 'C's': Creed, Code, Cult, Community-structure. Creed refers to the cognitive aspect of a religion; it is everything that goes into the 'explanation' of the ultimate meaning of life. Code of Behavior, or ethics, includes all the rules and customs of action that somehow follow from one aspect or another of the Creed. Cult means all the ritual activities that relate the follower to one aspect or another of the Transcendent